Before their game in the National Schools year 9 finals tomorrow, we caught up with Brynteg School ahead of their game against Whitchurch.
Speaking ahead of their game, Head coach of the side, Richard Harris said: “It’s well deserved for the boys! They’ve worked hard all season, they’ve put a lot of effort in and they thoroughly deserve their day out at the Principality Stadium.”
Not only have the young side made it to the National Schools final, last weekend the side made it to the finals of the National Urdd 7s. A huge effort from the squad at the tournament saw them take on Ysgol Llandeilo Ferwallt in the final round, where the West Walians just scraped the win against Brynteg in a hard fought game from both sides.
Nevertheless, Harris praised his young side’s efforts throughout the year: “We’ve had a very good season! The squad have exceeded expectations and are a very good team. Making the finals of both the National 7 a side as well as the 15s is a very good achievement for such a young squad.”
Helping out in the coaching setup is former pupil of the school, Josh Navidi, who was part of the team that Harris coached in the last Welsh cup final.
Harris added: “This is what the team have all been working towards. Not many 14-year olds have the chance to run out and play at the Principality. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity, they all realise that they may not get this chance again so it’s very important to them and means the world to them all.”
In tomorrow’s final, the side will take on Whitchurch in a bid for the silverware, and the side aren’t underestimating their opponents:
“I think it’ll be a very tough game against Whitchurch. They’re a very strong team and won it last year at the U13s level. We’ve already played them once this year and they’re a team very much like ourselves. They have around 15 – 22 good players not just three or four, so hopefully it’ll be a very entertaining game and one we are very much looking forward to!”
Catch the squad in action tomorrow, (Tuesday 30th April) at the Principality Stadium, K.O 2:15pm.