‘Yma o Hyd’ and celebrating the World Cup

Although Wales’ journey in the World Cup championship has come to an end, the whole of Wales has enjoyed the team’s successes and enjoyed seeing their country compete on an international stage for the first time since 1958. All over Wales, there were countless celebrations during the team’s time in the championship, and Coleg y Cymoedd was certainly a part it. This was a unique opportunity for learners and staff of the college to celebrate their Welshness and be proud of their country’s achievements.

There were incredible efforts on each campus to celebrate during the week and the community area of ​​each campus was turned into a Fan Zone.

On the Aberdare Campus, there were many different activities to celebrate the World Cup and to celebrate Wales. The Welsh DJ Roughion came to the campus to play a Welsh set for students during their lunchtime on Wednesday, with a wide variety of music, from dance to pop. The students also had the opportunity to take part in a Welsh arts and crafts activity, a World Cup quiz and a special “Pin the bun on Bale” game.

On the Nantgarw Campus, there was a long list of activities throughout the week. There were live acoustic sets in Welsh; a folk dancing workshop; mocktails and Welsh food prepared and served by the students of the Catering Department; a VR soccer competition; a Welsh graffiti workshop and a prestigious ‘Keepie-uppie’ competition between the principals of the College and the students!

At the Rhondda Campus, there were fun competitions throughout the week such as ‘guess the name of the dragon’ and a sweep stake. Red white and green cakes were available to buy and students and staff joined in the fun.

At the Ystrad Mynach Campus, there was a selfie booth for everyone to take a picture with Gareth Bale and other famous faces from the Welsh football team, and a ‘sweep stake’ competition.

It was also an opportunity to strengthen external partnerships with organisations that promote the Welsh language locally. There were sporting activities with the Urdd on the Nantgarw Campus and the College took part in the ‘Gorau Canu Cydganu’ project with Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf. With the special booklet published by the mentrau iaith, Rhys Ruggiero, Facilitator of the Welsh Language for Sport and Public Services, held ‘Codi Canu’ workshops with the students of the Sports Department in order to learn the words to ‘Yma O Hyd’ – the Welsh football s infamous anthem. That meant they were all ready to cheer and sing before the big game!

The culmination of all the week’s celebrations was the Wales match against Iran on Friday 25 November. Everyone on every campus was encouraged to wear red for Wales and to watch the game live. Half time everyone had the opportunity to enjoy hot dogs, pizzas, burgers in order to keep up their energy levels!

With staff and students coming together over the week there was a real feeling of pride for our little country with everyone working together to celebrate Wales. Lois Roberts, Coleg y Cymoedd’s Welsh Language Manager, said, “It’s been amazing! The atmosphere on each campus has been electric. The College is always thinking of new ways to celebrate our proud heritage and this was a golden opportunity to celebrate who we are, where we come from and where we are going. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to organize the countless events; the staff an learners on all campuses have been amazing.”

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