Ely youths to represent Wales in pool championship

A team of eight Cardiff youths will represent Wales in a UK-wide pool competition after a set of individual victories in the regional finals.

The group is made up of an even split of both girls and boys from the North Ely Community Centre, Pethybridge Road, and will travel to Preston to compete in the Children and Young Persons National Championships on April 9.  

Reigning under-16 boys champion Jordan Venn, a student from Michaelston Community College, Ely, will lead the team who practice together at the community centre in the economically deprived West Cardiff suburb.   

“I can’t wait to go back to England and defend my title,” said the young pool ace, who is also a key player for local football side Cardiff Hibernian FC.

“Last year was the first time we made it through to finals and to come away with the trophy was a real buzz.

“We all spend a lot of time together here in the community centre. Not just practicing our pool but having a laugh.

Chris Gauci, 41, who manages the community centre and helps to coach some of the children at pool was pleased to hear his team had made it through the Welsh final in Bridgend on March 12.    

“I think taking the children outside the place where they have grown up is a really important part of teaching them there is more out there in the world.“

Councillor Susanne Goddard said: “It is great to see the young people from this area working hard and portraying themselves in a positive way.

“They are ambassadors for the community.”