SIXTEEN primary schools from Newport will be taking part in the city’s primary school football league this year.

St Julian’s Primary School hosted a football festival at the beginning of this month to mark the relaunch of the football league, which will take place throughout the year.

Jon Jones, a year 6 teacher and health and wellbeing coordinator at St. Julian's Primary School, said the teams are made up of year 5 and year 6 students and that schools taking part include St. Julian’s Primary, Gaer Primary, Eveswell Primary and Pillgwenlly Primary.

St. Julian’s Primary deputy headteacher Luke Mansfield said: “Unfortunately, as pressures and workload have increased for teachers over recent years, the number of extra-curricular sporting events such as this one have significantly decreased, and that’s a real shame.

“I’m absolutely delighted that this group of committed and dedicated teachers from across the city have got together, giving up their own time, to organise such an excellent initiative which will nurture and develop talent, foster new friendships and raise levels of health and wellbeing for hundreds of children.”

Mr Mansfield said they are also hoping to use this tournament to develop other skills such as communication, maths and numeracy and digital competence. He said pupils will be encouraged to write match reports and produce podcasts, amongst others.

Mr Jones added that the matches will take place throughout the academic year until the end of May. Fixtures are arranged by region, with Newport East schools playing against each other and Newport West schools playing against each other to begin with, he said.