If you wanted proof of the way that sport can give someone a focus in their life then you need look no further than ten year old Dylan John, who plays cricket for Kilgetty Juniors and the Pembrokeshire under 10s as a big-hitting batsman who can also bowl well.

Because Dylan has been diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder but is doing really well in his chosen sport and towards the end of the summer went on the county under 10s three-day tour to Aberystwyth and not only performed admirably but had a great time with the other young players and contributed admirably, on and off the field.

ADHD his defined as ‘a group of behavioural symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness’ – and Dylan sometimes finds it tougher to focus on his fielding than when he is actively engaged as a batsman who belts boundaries galore and take wickets with his medium pace bowling.

Rick’s delighted by Dylan’s involvement

But he is gradually improving his concentration and one of his highlights in Aberystwyth came when he took two decent catches - and has been applauded by coaches Rick Walton and Rob Williams for his willingness to work. 

As Rick told us,
“Dylan has been a magical performer for us because he proves sports’ power to transform an individual’s outlook. He really has made an effort to be part of the squad and his family have been ultra-supportive so that has been something of a bonus too.”

Great help from ‘Poolie’ at Kilgetty

Dylan’s parents, Wayne and Dominque John, are hugely complimentary about cricket officials that also include Ian Poole at Kilgetty, who has given Dylan coaching and the chance to play every level up to the recent under 19 T20 play-offs where Dylan played in the final and helped Kilgetty Cougars to victory against Haverfordwest Blue Lightning and then Cleddau Crusaders in the final.

Dylan has also played for the club’s under 16 team in the junior league set-up and is growing in confidence as a result of being involved with much older players.

Huge family involvement

Dylan’s older brother Robert used to play cricket at Lamphey and rugby for Pembroke Dock Harlequins (Dominque was a Boswell before she got married and so is part of a rich family heritage at Bierspool) – and the brothers used to play plenty of sport in the family garden. Dylan’s grandmother, Diane Boswell, is another great supporter and never misses him play cricket – and joined Dominique for the three days at Aberystwyth because Wayne was working.

He also had a sister Lauren but sadly she passed away when she was only 13 and like the rest of the family Dylan is still coming to terms with her loss after he and Robert found her – and there is no doubt that cricket has a therapeutic influence on his recovery.

Loves other sports too

“He just loves playing most sports with a ball involved and picks up a tennis racquet or rugby ball with a look of sheer happiness on his face,” said Dominique, “and he has also started training with the junior section of Tenby United at Heywood Lane.

“He is still very much a learner in rugby but with my family’s background I’m hopeful he will gradually master the game’s techniques and do well there too – but as long as he enjoys it is all that matters really.”

Did well at county trials with his powerful batting

He started playing at Kilgetty because the family have friends who go to the Kingsmoor Sports Association and when he started out Ian Poole took him under his wing and gave him every encouragement so that he was soon playing in junior league cricket.

It was ‘Poolie’ who recommended him to the county selectors for trials and it wasn’t long before Dylan had joined the squad and began his batting exploits, allied to some useful bowling spells which has seen a three-wicket haul as his best so far.

Big hits galore

On the batting front he caused mayhem when the county under 10s played their age counterparts from the Welsh Girls’ team on The Racecourse in Haverfordwest, hitting 24 runs in one over!

The first ball he faced soared over the boundary and with only one ‘dot ball’ he added three successive fours and another huge six to leave everyone who hadn’t seen him batting before a little stunned.

Rob enjoys Dylan’s batting

As county team manager Rob Williams commented,
“Dylan can certainly hit a ball harder than anyone else I have seen at this age and once he learns to pick his shots he could be a formidable player as he gets older. He has settled in well now and is easily the most popular player with the rest of the squad, who love his jokes and usually-sunny nature!”

“The other parents have also taken to Dylan and as he walks out to bat the clapping is usually that bit louder as they look forward to his involvement.

“In one match against Mid Glamorgan at Kidwelly he told the opposing wicket-keeper, who was standing up to the crease, “I’m going to hit the next ball over those trees,” – and did just that!

Dylan attends Tenby Junior School and again his parents are full of praise at the way he is looked after, with Jonathan Thomas, the Whitland all-rounder, working there and travelling with the squad to Aberystwyth to help out after Ben Field, the manager at Sport Pembrokeshire, helped make it possible.

“He stayed with my mother and me in the hotel for the first two nights,” said Dominque, “and then joined the rest of the squad at their quarters for the final night – and by all accounts had a wonderful time. It really made our stay even more special than it already was!”

Ask Dylan about the trip to Mid Wales and his face lights up.
“I thought it was brilliant,” he admitted, “because we played a lot of cricket and I was with my pals in the county side.

“I can’t wait to go again next season.”

His favourite top cricketer is Joe Root, the England batsman who, like Dylan, enjoys a bit of fun on the pitch and off it. 

Both clearly enjoy their participation and we wish Dylan John many more years of enjoyment from the summer sport – and look forward to seeing him send a few more balls sailing over the boundary as he continues his big hitting!