FORMER Welsh rugby international Eddie Butler has

recently donated the first of many 'sports awards' to

Llangattock school.

In what will now become an annual tradition at the

school, the winner of the first 'Edward Butler Award',

was 11-year-old pupil Barnaby Davies.

Barnaby is an all-round sportsman who enjoys

tennis, hockey, rounders and athletics as well as being

a valuable member of the school football team.

Both he and fellow pupil Lucy Scudamore who

recently gained an equestrian scholarship, won the

Llangattock school mixed doubles tennis tournament

this Summer.

In addition, outside school, Barnaby is the Penallt

tennis club advanced juniors winner 2008.

While making the award at Llangattock school,

Butler said, "Many congratulations Barnaby – an

excellent achievement!"

Commenting on the purpose of the award Butler

added, "The spirit of enjoyment is everything. It's not

just about winning trophies - It's about pure

enjoyment. To be a good sportsman you need to learn

to be a good loser too."

Llangattock school principal Rosemary Whaley

said,"We are absolutely thrilled that Eddie Butler has

given us this award and so much of his time. It is so

exciting for everyone at Llangattock school, not least

because this award has been introduced during the

tenth anniversary year of the school.

"Barnaby is an enthusiastic sportsman and a very

worthy winner of this year's prize. He will be missed by

all of us, particularly the members of the football team,

as he moves on to pastures new this autumn.

"Our loss will be his new school's gain. Well done

Barnaby. We are very proud of you."

Looking to the future, Rosemary Whaley added,

"Both Eddie and I will be interested to see the sporting

performance of the children over the next academic

year. The possibility of gaining this award may well

prove an incentive in this field. We will be looking not

just at sporting prowess but also at enthusiasm and

teamsmanship too."

On being asked for his reaction to the 2008

Award, Barnaby's response was "Awesome! I'm so

pleased to have the cup and it's wonderful being the

first person to receive it."