Schools across Newport enjoy World cup experience despite Wales loss

The Rodney Parade fan zone was closed to the public, as they hosted a special event for schools across Gwent.

The fan zone was packed with free face painting, hot dogs, sweets, inflatable football and rugby activities before and during half-time.

Pupils from Alway, Maindee, George St, St Illtyd’s, St Josephs, Glan Usk, St Davids, Nant-Y-Park, Cantref, St Woolos, St Michaels, Trellech, Rogiet, Eveswell, St Mary’s and Somerton Primary School came together to enjoy a historic moment.

Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Luke Smalley, a year 6 teacher at Nant-Y-Park Primary School said: ““Its great opportunity for everybody to get together, it’s a lovely time to celebrate the Wales football team.

“The children have enjoyed travelling, it has been amazing experience for us. It’s been 64 years since the last world cup and the children are lucky to witness this in their lives.”

Wales suffered a heartbreaking 0-2 defeat to Iran in the final minutes of the game, which saw many sad faces but despite the result, children were in full song linking arms together and singing the World Cup anthem Yma o Hyd.

Daniel Jones, assistant headteacher at Maindee Primary School, said: “We have had a great time, we have five classes from the school here.

"We are neighbours with Rodney Parade so it was nice of them to ask us to come down.

“It was lovely to watch the game with pupils and the teachers, it’s a great opportunity for everybody to get together.

“We are looking at the World Cup as a topic in school, we have been learning loads about it so they children were excited to see Gareth Bale on the big screen.

“The kids enjoyed it, it’s their first time to see something like this which they have embraced."

Rabbi Baksh, a year six teacher at Maindee Primary, added: “This is an experience that we will continue to celebrate the teams’ achievements at school."