PUPILS at Llandudno’s Ysgol San Sior have protested at a ban on mixed netball teams in the Urdd National Youth Festival.

The Urdd authorities have stated that in future the netball competition will be for girls only. A spokesperson said: “The main reason for this decision is to ensure girls are able to take part in a competition where the circumstances are fair for all.

“There is also a significant gender gap in terms of participation in sports between boys and girls, through offering an all girls tournament in this sport with a clear pathway for continued participation from primary to secondary school age, we are actively taking steps to close the gender gap in sports participation.”

However pupils at Ysgol San Sior, who have been training for more than 12 months to prepare for the tournament, are disappointed at the decision.

A spokesperson for the school said: “We have a number of boys who have been training weekly for over the last 12 months to prepare for this tournament. They play well alongside the girls and as it should be a non contact sport we have had no issues between gender.

“These boys will continue to train, it’s their decision, but will not be allowed to compete. Ysgol San Sior won the county tournament last year and took a team, which included boys, to Aberystwyth to represent North Wales in a competition.

Pupil Kian Jones, aged 8, said: "I don't think it is fair. The boys enjoy playing and it is about having fun"

Ryley Berry, aged 10, added: " I think boys should choose if they want to play. It isn't fair we can’t go to the tournament this year, when the girls can play football."

Florence Castellanos, aged 10, said: "If they are taking away the netball from the boys they should take away the football from the girls"