Junior Sport News . . . from PembrokeshireSport.co.uk

Cameron catches the eye with his football skills

A name to watch out for in Pembrokeshire Sport in years to come is undoubtedly that of Cameron Thomas, who is only seven years old but already catching the eye in football – and playing rugby as well as showing off his skills in gymnastics.
Being so involved can sometimes cause a few problems of where to be at what time – like on a recent Sunday he was chosen for the Pembrokeshire under 9s to play against Swansea City’s young team, was wanted to play on the wing for Milford Haven RFC in a tag match and could have entered a gymnastics tournament. He plumped for football because it is his favourite sport and scored no fewer than four goals as his reward.
He didn’t play in the first of the 20-minute quarters at Camrose but  scored both goals in a 2-0 second-quarter scoreline against boys who were a year older than he is – and added further goals in the third and fourth quarters to help Pembrokeshire to a convincing result.

Family footballing connection

That Cameron should love sport comes as no surprise since his grandfather is Daisy Picton, who has been a key part of their back room staff for longer than he can remember after previously being a player at The Obs, and who regularly supports his young grandson and takes him to watch their favourite team, Manchester United. This intrepid duo watched United play Spurs in the Charity Shield Final at Wembley and also watched the Red Devils play against Tottenham, Reading, Portsmouth and Middlesborough at Old Trafford. Grandmum Janet Picton is also a keen supporter of young Cameron, as are mum Linzi and dad Richard Thomas.

Goals galore for

Cameron and Co

Cameron started out kicking a football in the back garden, like most young footballers, and he has developed into a midfield player with a very strong left foot whose commitment enables him to play up an age group and still catch the eye. He is part of a very strong Hakin United team, coached by Daisy, which hasn’t lost a game in two years and this year has scored a massive 146 goals in only 12 matches whilst conceding only two goals! Cameron has scored 23 goals from midfield and striker Jack Wilson has found the net 29 times, both of them having played in the Swansea City Academy and joined by team mates Jake Houston, Garin Gardener and Jay Dalkin as regulars in the Haverfordwest Academy team.

Special rewards

Their reward for doing so well with Hakin has been a trip each season to the Liberty Stadium to watch Swansea play Brentford last year and Charlton Athletic this campaign. There is also a further treat in store because team manager Mr Picton is taking a group of 25, which includes players, parents and some grandparents from 1st to 5th May to play in a tournament at Minehead where 168 teams will be starting out over the four days. Now Cameron and Co are really looking forward to that little trip!
Outside of his football, Cameron has recently made his debut in tag rugby for Milford Haven and used his speed to good effect in his second match as he scored a try against Pembroke at Crickmarren. He also attends the gym club run by Andy Grey and says that it helps keep him fit and supple for his football.

Busy schedule

All of this involvement means that young Cameron is kept busy because his week is a full one – although the family are delighted that he doesn’t neglect his studies under the watchful eye of head teacher Mr Nick Dyer at Hakin Junior School.

This is Cameron’s weekly schedule:
Monday: Football Academy in Tenby
Tuesday: Gymnastics Club
Wednesday: Rugby Training
Thursday: Hakin Juniors football training
Friday: Rest evening!
Saturday: Football  - the best day!
Sunday: Rugby for Milford Haven