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

Jac’s just a sporting all-rounder

At 15 years of age, Jac Pepper is one of the new breed of excellent sporting all-rounders that are emerging in the county who can turn his hand to most sports and do well.

Jac plays cricket, tennis, rugby and golf, but it is football that is very much his favourite sport, where he plays for Goodwick United and Pembrokeshire – and is an avid Chelsea fan at the top level.

He started out in football at Letterston from the age of six or so and then moved to Goodwick United to plat at Under 11 level, where he came under the watchful eye of Bernie Armstrong.  Jac was fifteen minutes late for his first match and recalls that Bernie’s first words to him were,

            “Who are you? Where do you play? Why are you late?!”

But the pair have got on well in the intervening five years as Jac started out in attack and scored lots of goals, but can also play in midfield and is now a defender in the county set up.  He scored six goals in matches against Hundleton and Prendergast Villa for Goodwick, and lots of other goals for his club.

He started out at Under 11 level, with the county team coached by Angie Nicholls and since then has had Debbie Wise and Matthew Price as coaches.  At the moment he plays a year above his actual age and slots in nicely at left back.

Sports galore

Jac is also a very good cricketer with Fishguard and Goodwick, where he scores his share of runs, has had a few five wicket hauls and is sharp in the field.  He had a Welsh trial at Under 12 level alongside Michael Carter (Llechryd) and Jordan Howell (Narberth) and still enjoys being involved during the summer months.

Tennis is another summer sport for Jac but which sometimes clashes with football.  He started out with John Deason as coach and reached the final of one junior competition, and was asked to play at county level – but because of his football has had to put it on the back burner.

It is a similar story in golf because he took it up at Newport and reduced his handicap to 28.  He can’t find enough time to play regularly at the moment but says he intends giving it more attention when his footballing days are over!

Not content with that little lot, Jac also represents Ysgol Bro Gwaun at rugby as a pacy winger.  He actually scored seven tries in just three matches this season but again it has to play second fiddle to his football.

Family matters – and football highlights

That Jac should love sport so much is hardly surprising because his family are very sport- orientated, with dad Myles having played both football and rugby, whilst mum Vicki was an accomplished horsewoman in her younger days.  Then there’s brothers Ben, David and Jeffrey, who respectively had a trial for Cardiff City at Under 12 level, is a goalkeeper with Merlins Bridge and another county footballer.  His fourth brother, Harry is a DJ and sister Amy used to be a lifeguard.

Ask Jac about his footballing highlights and he would be bound to nominate school footballing trips to France for the “Mondial Pupiles” competition which featured students from all over the world, including top clubs Marseilles and Rio de Janeiro.

            “It was the best experience of my life,” admits Jac.

But he has also enjoyed his sport nearer to home and if he can maintain his current rate of progress then there is no doubt at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk that we are going to hear the name of Jac Pepper a great deal more in the future!

 

PHOTOS:

Jac Pepper.

Jac shows his ball skills.

Jac with coach Bernie Armstrong.