Celtic Warriors pose for the camera.

Cleddau Warriors are now in their fourth season of football, providing the chance for boys and girls of all ages to enjoy kicking a ball around with their friends and having fun while learning the skills of the game.

They meet once a month at Sir Thomas Picton School and the group is organised by Angela Miles, of Sport Pembrokeshire, who provides sport for people who love the game but have some sort of disability.

Originally catering for ages six to 18 the Warriors have now widened their age range, with excellent coaching from Huw Bevan, Delwyn Lewis and Steve Brown of Clarbeston Road Football Club, plus Chris Griffiths and Paul Gwyther from Kilgetty Football Club.

The Warriors took part in a couple of festivals in Swansea and Aberystwyth and have just held their first annual festival of football. It wasn't without its hairy moments though - when everyone arrived at Crundale the grass was too long for play to take place which really put Angela in a panic.

But her knights in shining armour, as she describes Huw, Delwyn and Steve, simply whisked everyone to Clarbie and the event took place there without a single moan or groan from anyone.

Sponsored by Chevron, there were categories for under-12, under-16 and over-16, with the Warriors joined by Ceredigion All Stars, Swansea Brave Hearts, Swansea VIPs (a visually impaired group), Afan Lido Dragons and Heron's Bridge, of Bridgend.

There were 14 teams of at least five players with ten-minute matches reffed by Gareth Elliott, Tom Bevan and Rob Blowes, local youngsters who were kept busy all day.

The sun actually shone to complete a memorable day where every one of the 80-plus competitors who took part received a medal and were watched by 200 people, with a barbecue to round off a smashing day.

The Warriors have about 25 regular players who are gaining in confidence as they are taught how to warm up properly, plus skills like passing, shooting, tackling and dodging.

There are plans for a league in the near future and a new group, called the Preseli Warriors, is springing up in Fishguard, with Bernie Armstrong and John Gwilt as willing coaches.

There are already ten youngsters there and with training on a separate Sunday from Cleddau Warriors it is possible to attend both clubs.

The Cleddau and Preseli Warriors will obviously keep going from strength to strength and anyone with a disability is encouraged to go along. They will be guaranteed a warm welcome and lots of satisfaction and enjoyment.

10:41am Tuesday 9th October 2007

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