A SPORTS-MAD youngster scored a big win for his school thanks to his prowess as a line-out thrower in a rugby competition.

Six-year-old Ioan Evans clinched a bumper haul of sports equipment for Ysgol Llanfair DC and a ball signed by Wales rugby hero Dan Lydiate for himself.

The Year One pupil, who was five at the time, beat almost 2,000 other children – many years older than him - to win the competition at the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Denbigh.

It was organised by Ifor Williams Trailers who are long-term supporters of the festival and had a stand at the event.

 

Denbighshire Free Press: Pictured are Ioan Evans with IWT show manager Dafydd Jones and headteacher Helen Oldfield, along with fellow pupils.Pictured are Ioan Evans with IWT show manager Dafydd Jones and headteacher Helen Oldfield, along with fellow pupils.

 

They converted one of their trailers for use in a special rugby line-out throwing competition with cut-out holes for targets in its tilted bed.

Entrants paid £1 for each go with all the money going to the rescue charity, the Children’s Wales Air Ambulance.

The vital service helps around 400 children and babies a year, either on emergency 999 missions or by using its dedicated transfer helicopter to take patients from one hospital to another.

It is also used to take specialist medical staff to local hospitals.

The stack of equipment won by Ioan included footballs, rugby balls, netballs, bibs, dodgeballs, hoola hoops, tag rugby belts, tennis and badminton rackets, and a cricket set.

Sporting talent clearly runs in Ioan’s family because he is the son of former rugby pro Owen Evans, who played fly half for Bristol Rugby club until his career was cut short at the age of 25 because of injury.

Ioan said: “I’m happy about winning this competition and am excited about winning the prize. I’ve been practising a lot in the garden.

"I hit a score of 25 three times."

 

Denbighshire Free Press: Pictured are Ioan Evans with IWT show manager Dafydd Jones and headteacher Helen Oldfield, along with fellow pupils.Pictured are Ioan Evans with IWT show manager Dafydd Jones and headteacher Helen Oldfield, along with fellow pupils.

 

Delighted dad Owen, who works as a project manager at Airbus, was part of a crop of talented players to emerge from Ruthin Rugby Club, which included former Sale Sharks prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts and ex-Llanelli centre Rob Higgitt.  

He said: “I’m super proud. He was ahead of children who were much older than him, and from schools from all over.

“The most important thing is that it’s great for the school.

"There’s so much equipment there that will stay for years-and-years to come and so many will benefit from it.

“The school community is really strong and you can see by the looks on their faces today that they’re so happy for Ioan, so it’s brilliant to see them all here celebrating with him.

“It was Ioan’s first Eisteddfod. He was very excited along with his brother and sister as well, who were there every single day of the week.

“He went to the Ifor Williams Trailers stand every day practising with his throwing.

"It was something we chatted about every night. It was the star attraction."

 

Denbighshire Free Press: Ioan Evans with IWT show manager Dafydd Jones and headteacher Helen OldfieldIoan Evans with IWT show manager Dafydd Jones and headteacher Helen Oldfield

 

Dafydd Jones, show manager for Ifor Williams Trailers, said:  “Every single penny of the money we raised will go to the Children’s Wales Air Ambulance which is a vitally important service.

“The competition was a fun way to raise money for a really good cause, and it was also a good way and a different way of getting people together.”

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Ysgol Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd headteacher Helen Oldfield was delighted with the new sports equipment.

She said: “We feel incredibly lucky because it means that a lot of children are going to benefit from the equipment.

"It will enrich the curriculum and the classes, but also after school clubs and during play time and dinner time.”