Dyfed and Carmarthenshire Primary Schools Cross Country, Athletics and Indoor Sportshall Athletics

Carmarthen Harriers

Since 1990 Carmarthen and District Harriers Athletics Club has organised annual athletics events for Carmarthenshire and Dyfed primary schools. They would like funds to help with running costs and organizing events.

About the initiative

Since 1990 Carmarthen and District Harriers Athletics Club has organised annual Carmarthenshire and Dyfed (Carmarthenshire,Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire) primary schools indoor sportshall athletics, cross country and outdoor athletics championships.

About 4,000 pupils take part in these events each year.

These championships take place at the Carmarthen Leisure Centre (indoor sportshall athletics), United Counties Show Ground (cross country) and Carmarthen Athletics Track (outdoor athletics).

60-80 primary schools travel up to 50 miles to Carmarthen to bring their children to compete in the events organised by Carmarthen Harriers. No standards are set and children of all abilities are able to take part.

These events give the opportunity for many primary school children to experience competitive athletics for the first time. Many of these pupils in recent years have gone on to represent Wales in athletics and cross country.

The annual cost to the Carmarthen and District Harriers Athletics Club for organizing the six primary school championship events (2 sportshall athletics,2 cross country and 2 athletics) is £3,000

The whole club is involved in the organisation of the events either as administrators, officials, marshals, or with the catering side.

What we could do with a bronze award worth £1,000

This Award would go towards the costs of the six primary schools championships events, in particular the hire of the venues, first aid and awards for the athletes.

Over 4,000 primary school pupils from a wide area of rural Wales benefit from these events organised for them by Carmarthen Harriers.

Carmarthen and District Harriers Athletics Club has 300 members, many of whom live in rural areas and have joined the Club as a result of competing in one of these events.

Carmarthen Harriers Athletics Club has won the Welsh Junior League Cup Final 13 times in the last 14 years.

What we could do with a silver award worth £12,500 or even the gold award worth £50,000

A Silver Award would enable the Initiative to continue for three years, thus ensuring that children in West Wales can benefit from an initiative that has been in existence for 15 years and for the most part has been supported financially by Carmarthen Harriers.