Dancer 'can't wait' to compete in Urdd's new additional learning needs category

A young man who will compete at the Urdd Eisteddfod in a new competition for people with additional learning needs (ALN) says he "can't wait".

Sion Davies, 20, from Carmarthenshire, will perform a clog dance in the individual performance category for under-25s on Saturday.

Sion, who has Down's syndrome, said he was excited to take part, while his father, Arwel, said it would be a proud moment.

"We've been wanting this to happen for years, really," said Arwel. "It gives him a good opportunity and he loves it."

The Individual performance for under-25s for students of Special Educational Needs Units and Schools is one of many new competitions that will be part of this year's Urdd Eisteddfod which is taking place on Anglesey.

For the first time, this year's festival will be seven days long.

Sion has danced since he was young with his local Urdd branch, Aelwyd Cynwyl Elfed, and has previously competed as part of a group.

But he said he was excited to compete individually for the first time.

"Dancing is good to me, it's important to me," said Sion.

"I'm feeling OK, I can't wait."

With the competition allowing entrants to perform in any medium, Sion has decided to clog dance.

Aron Davies, one of the leaders at the Aelwyd, has enjoyed watching Sion develop as he practises twice a week.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for him because he loves to be on stage. He loves to show off and show everybody what he can do. He's going to enjoy it," he said.

For Sion's father, Arwel, seeing Sion on stage will be a very proud moment.

"It's really, really nice. It gives him a good opportunity and he loves it," said Arwel.

"It's nice that they're given a chance. We've been wanting this to happen for years really.

"Some children can be forgotten about and it gives them a chance to show their skills."

Sion's mum, Diane, said she was "delighted" that Sion would be competing.

"Sion enjoys dancing and we're very proud of him.

"We've been very lucky of the trainers but also of all the children in the Aelwyd, that they've always included Sion in everything that they've done. We're very, very grateful as parents for that."

Sion will also be competing in a group dance competition with the Aelwyd too, a group many of his friends and younger sister, Mair, are a part of.

Esther Defis, 21, from the Aelwyd, said Sion was a joy to dance with.

"Sion has been in the Aelwyd as nearly as long as I have. I've been with him every step of the way, every time he's competed.

"I think he makes our group better because he's the one that brings us the energy. He's so energetic that he helps us to find the same energy and the same joy that he gets from dancing.

"He enjoys performing so much, we can all see it, and finally, this year he's going to have a chance to perform by himself without us holding him back. He'll be a real star on that stage and we'll all be cheering for him."