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

Alaric is an ace all-rounder!

When Alaric Jones won the boys’ cross country race for his age group in the Pembrokeshire Junior Schools’ Cross-Country Championships, held at Oakwood recently, he created an amazing record because it was the fourth year on the trot that he had been first past the winning post.

Running for Cleddau Reach CP, he won it by quite a distance and such was his ability to keep running at pace that for a long stretch of the race he had the older ‘hares’, sent out to define the course, as his nearest runners. This victory qualifies Alaric for the Dyfed Championships, to be held next March, and he will be seeking another win quartet since he has also won that for the past three years!

Football star in the making?

But Alaric is anything but a cross-country specialist because it is simply one of a number of sports in which he excels, starting with his main sport of football, where he is in his third year playing for Swansea City, now at under 11 level, with an ability to slot in almost anywhere on the field. Ask Alaric about his favourite position and he would probably say central midfield but this season has seen him also play full back and at the heart of the defence, and he has continued to score his fair share of goals wherever he has played. He has to train three nights every week in Swansea, with Monday evenings devoted to skills, Wednesday focussing on match situations and Friday nights concentrating on fitness and conditioning – amazing commitment needed from such a young lad. There is also a great deal of travel because they have played recent matches at Yeovil, Plymouth and Exeter. But he has the total support of parents Tony and Alison, who were respectively a good footballer with Merlins Bridge and a useful hockey and netball player!

Amazing all-rounder!

Now if you think that is a lot of sport then read on – because Alaric swims with Haverfordwest Seals, runs for Pembrokeshire Harriers, takes part in triathlon with the Pembrokeshire Tri-Club, plays cricket for Burton, enjoys tennis at Haverfordwest, and is a more than useful young golfer - phew!

Alaric swims twice a week for Haverfordwest Seals and competes with them whenever  he can, having qualified two years running for the Rudd National Swimming Gala in the Olympic Pool in Cardiff.  Last year he qualified a year out of age in front crawl and breast stroke, and came a respectable second in the 50 metres breast stroke, missing first place by 100th of a second! He also trains on Tuesday with the Harriers, for whom he competes in the summer in long jump and 800 metres.

Triathlon, cricket, tennis and golf

His running and swimming certainly helps with his triathlon competitions and he won the Eton Triathlon after originally just going along to cheer on sister Alicia, being allowed to take part – and then heading the pack to win by a mile! Alaric also entered the Inter Regional Championships at Porthcawl to qualify for Wales in his age group, a duathlon because his age category is considered too young to cycle on an open road. It was the first time that he had swum in open water, rather than in a pool, but he was first out of the water and held his own in the running to take the gold medal.

In the summer he trains and plays for Burton Cricket Club  and is already a useful batsman and fielder , and is working hard on his bowling – and is in the process of completing a Dragon’s Winter Course for Cricket on Sunday nights at STP School (after football!)

Not content with that little lot, Alaric had a successful summer with Haverfordwest Tennis Club but can’t commit to winter training due to football commitments, and he has proven to be a bit of a golfer as he won a Schools Competition held by Pembrokeshire County Council – but again hasn’t got the time to take it further!

Huge commitment and family support

It all adds up to a huge commitment to sport but he still manages to do well in school and has the full support of his family, which has been dubbed ‘The A-Team’ because Alaric is joined by dad Anthony, mum Alison, plus sisters Alicia and Alexis. They spend a great deal of time in each other’s company and the other four are rightly proud of what Alaric has achieved so far – and PembrokeshireSport.co.uk can only say that we think it is lovely to see, and we are sure we will hear a great deal more of this talented all-round young sportsman in the years to come!

PHOTOS:

Alaric Jones  with his Oakwood Trophy.

Alaric taking part in triathlon.

Alaric playing football for Swansea City.

Alaric showing his long-jumpng skills.