The semi-finals and finals of the inaugural All Wales Secondary School ALN Cup took place recently at Penybont Football Club.
Schools from across Wales were invited to take part in the very first edition of the new cup competition, competing in preliminary rounds across two ability categories.
Following months of competition there were 8 teams left: Ysgol Bryn Castell (ASD Department), Trinity Fields, Maesgwyn and Pen-Y-Bryn were the semi-finalists in the Championship ability band whilst Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, Ysgol Hendrefelin, Ysgol Bryn Castell and Greenhill Special School were left in the Champions League ability band.
In the Championship semi-finals, Ysgol Bryn Castell (ASD Dept.) were in for a tough test against a strong Trinity Fields team, whilst Maesgwyn from Aberdare faced off against Pen-Y-Bryn from Swansea. Ysgol Bryn Castell took the lead in the first half, but Trinity Fields scored three in the second half to complete a comeback and book their place in the final. In the other semi-final, Maesgwyn saw off a valiant Pen-Y-Bryn in a high-scoring thriller.
Trinity and Maesgwyn would play for the trophy in the final whilst Ysgol Bryn Castell and Pen-Y-Bryn would compete for a place on the podium.
In the Champions League semi-finals, Ysgol Bryn Castell came up against historic rivals Greenhill and Bro Dinefwr faced Hendrefelin. It was Ysgol Bryn Castell who emerged victorious following a strong attacking performance, whilst Bro Dinefwr edged past Hendrefelin to secure their spot in the final.
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With a crowd of pupils and staff from the other participating schools gathered to support the teams, Trinity Fields were crowned winners of the Championship final after a 3-1 final victory.
In the Champions League final, Ysgol Bryn Castell and Pen-Y-Bryn battled it out. Ysgol Bryn Castell took an early lead and quickly followed-up with a second goal. Bro Dinefwr fought valiantly throughout, but as the final whistle blew, the entire Ysgol Bryn Castell team flooded the field to celebrate their victory, congratulate their teammates and thank their opponents for a great game.
The ALN Schools Cup will take place once again during the 2025-2026 season, with schools from across Wales encouraged to take part. Sign-ups are open now so please contact Dai Carpenter, Grassroots Disability & Inclusion Manager at the FAW, via email at dcarpenter@faw.cymru if you have any questions about the competition or would like to register your school.
