Tigers host successful football festival

Rhondda Cynon Taf’s disability football team, the RCT Tigers, welcomed young players from neighbouring counties when they hosted their first pan disability football festival.

Founded to improve opportunities for disability sports in Rhondda Cynon Taf, the Tigers now have an Under 12s and U-16s team. The home festival hosted by the Tigers was a great success, with youngsters from Swansea, Cardiff and the Vale among those playing.at the University of Glamorgan Playing Fields, Treforest.

The Tigers were able to field two sides for the U-12s in the festival. RCT Tigers 2 lost 2-3 against Swansea Bravehearts in the first game with the Tigers goals scored by Garyn Jones and Griffith Morgan. RCT Tigers 1 v RCT Tigers 2 resulted in a 2-4 win for Team 2 with two goals from Josh Owen for team 1, and one goal by Griffith Morgan and a hat trick for Garyn Jones for team 2.

RCT Tigers 1 lost 1-2 to Swansea Bravehearts with Josh Owen finding the back of the net. Swansea Bravehearts won the game against RCT Tigers 2 by seven goals to nil, and RCT Tigers 1 v RCT Tigers 2 resulted in a 3-1 win for team 2.

The Under 16s’ first game was against Cardiff Coyotes, and the game was won by The Tigers 2 -1, with one goal from William Pitman and two from Rhys Jones. The Tigers lost the game against Vale Reds by 1-3 with Lewis Overton scoring the Tigers only goal. The U-16s saved the best until last with their game against Heronsbridge, winning the game 5-1, with two goals from William Pitman, two from Phillip Wheddon and one from defender Lloyd Francis.

RCT Disability Sports Wales Officer Stephanie Gillard said: "It was a great way for The Tigers to end their first festival and all of the players are to be congratulated for contributing towards a great day.

"The club is indebted to Steve Savage and his staff at the University of Glamorgan Playing Fields for their invaluable assistance in organising the event and to all at Treforest Football Club for their continued support."

Jonathan Gribbin, who represented Great Britain in the 2008 Paralympics held in Beijing at Five-a-Side Blind Football, presented certificates at the end of the festival. Jonathan kindly attended a Tigers’ training session recently, and the team is grateful for his attendance and support.

The RCT Tigers were founded in 2008 and have had a very successful first year in terms of training and development. They recently received an Rhondda Cynon Taf a.i.m. accreditation award at the Rhondda Sports Personality Awards. The team is also affiliated to the FAW. More information on The RCT Tigers can be found on the website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/rcttigersfc/

For details of Disability Sports in Rhondda Cynon Taff, please contact:

Stephanie Gillard

Disability Sports Wales Officer

R.C.T. Sports Development

Tel 01443 490242

Email Stephanie.Gillard@Rhondda-Cynon-Taff.gov.uk