A team of Vale pupils have claimed third place in a national NFL flag football championship.
The under-13 mixed team from Mary Immaculate High School in Wenvoe secured the result at the NFL UK Flag National Championship finals in Leeds, following their victory in the Welsh NFL Flag National Championship in May.
Representing the Kansas City Chiefs, the pupils competed against teams from 28 schools and finished second in their group before narrowly losing in the semi-finals.
They regrouped to win the third-place play-off.
George Gasson, PE teacher at Mary Immaculate High School, said: "It was an incredible experience for the pupils.
"They loved every minute of the tournament and were proud to represent their school and their country.
"Many of them haven’t travelled far from home, so to stay in a new city and take part in an event of this scale was unique and exciting."
He said that the pupils played an 'exciting and attacking game' and finished group stage with the highest points difference across the two groups.
"There were tears when they lost in the semi-final, but they showed a lot of resilience and determination to regroup and win the third-place play-off.
"We’re all very proud of them."
This is the second year the school has competed in the tournament, reaching the UK finals both times.
Flag football has become so popular at Mary Immaculate that it now features in the school’s sports day and is offered as an extracurricular activity.
Mr Gasson said the school is already preparing for next year’s tournament and is exploring the idea of starting a local schools league.
The NFL Flag Football programme, launched in 2017, is the NFL’s official non-contact football programme.
It is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, with 1,000 schools taking part in related events.
Flag football will feature at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.