THE brains between a Torfaen school and sporting tour-de-force has praised the role that sport has played in the children’s development, both physically and mentally.

Melissa Preston-Watkins is the PE co-ordinator at George Street Primary School in Pontypool, and has transformed the school into a provincial powerhouse.

However, she believes that there are challenges facing children, preventing them from being active.

“The whole culture surrounding sport seems to have changed from since I was younger,” said Mrs Preston-Watkins, in her eighth year at the school.

“We never used to have anything which kept us inside. I was out playing sport as a child and particularly in the summer, always playing rounders on the rec or football or whatever.”

The school has won a host of accolades across the sporting spectrum, including being named as 2015 FAW School of the Year.

Mrs Preston-Watkins organised a mini-Olympics, with six schools from the local are participating, and she is keen to get her pupils involved at a young age.

“I teach the children at the school right the way from nursery up to year six. I can see the progression and I can see them develop from a very young age,” she said.

In addition to the exercise, Mrs Preston-Watkins noted that the children have improved academically, and the social cohesion of the school has been helped.

“In my main football squad of eight, I’ve got three gipsy travellers, two looked after children and three others,” she said.

“I watched him on the yard and during the PE lessons. I thought he has to be in a team. I spoke to his mum when she came to collect him and told her that he needed to be playing in a team.”

Mrs Preston-Watkins added that the child not only plays for a local side but represents Torfaen, and the family join the school on tours.

“He plays for the Race and the family come on tour with us, which does not usually happen within the gipsy traveller community. It is rare for them to associate themselves or socialise with non-gipsy travellers,” she said.

Head teacher Julie Wood said: “She has secured the overwhelming support of all pupils, parents, staff and governors who have huge admiration for all that she has enabled the school to achieve.

“She is an exemplary role model and a highly valued member of the George Street team.”