SCHOOL kids are set to get lessons off for a couple of hours to watch their team play in the World Cup.
Youngsters in Wales will be allowed to dodge classes as their nation takes part in the global tournament for the first time in 64 years.
Their opening match against the USA on Monday will be the first time the Welsh team have competed for the title of world champions since 1958.
That first game takes place at 7pm on Monday November 21 so it will be outside school hours.
However, their second game against Iran will be at 10am on the Friday of that week and the Welsh government has said that schools will be allowed to decide whether kids can watch it.
Cori Mabey, head of PE at Treorchy Comprehensive School in Treorchy, South Wales, said: “Lessons two and three are off the timetable so students can watch the Wales-Iran game in different facilities.
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“We’ll be using the sports hall, the main lecture theatre hall and other televisions will be dotted around classrooms as well.
“I’ve been in the school six years and I’ve seen a transition from rugby to football in that time over both participation numbers and interest.”
He added: “I’m also in a group chat with teachers in England and they were really surprised we were coming off the timetable during school hours.
“They’re not doing anything at all. I don’t know if they’re just used to being in tournaments.
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“But there’s a real pride here, especially with the manager Rob Page coming from the Rhondda, that’s bringing people together.”
More than 1,000 children will take part in the Football Friday event, run by the Football Association of Wales (FAW).
The FAW will host skills sessions, inter-school matches and football festivals for pupils either side of the Iran game.
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FAW chief executive Noel Mooney said: “We’ve worked with Welsh government to create a festival in all our schools and the Iran game is perfect for us.
“You want a child to remember it and, hopefully, go on to play for us and become the future.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
