IORI Badham is definitely a name to look out for in the future because his recent successes include captaining the Tenby Swifts under 11 rugby team to success at the Pembrokeshire Junior Rugby Finals Day in Crymych – and has also played really well for Tenby AFC in his age group.

He has also enjoyed being part of the county junior schools’ football team which did remarkably well to share the Tom Yeoman’s Shield with Cardiff and the Vale after taking on all the best regional teams in the play-offs ‘big day’.

Iori excels in various sports because he is a genuine all-rounder who has enjoys swimming, cricket, cross-country and even netball, but more of that range of sports later.

Not only has he served Tenby AFC well but has also been a valuable member of Pembrokeshire Schools under 11’s after playing a year up for coach Angela Nicholls in 2015/16.

She said: “Iori has played for Tenby AFC since the age of six and is a valuable member of a very strong Tenby under 11’s squad. He is a very talented footballer who possesses fantastic individual skills, but is also a great team player as a real bonus. He works relentlessly for the team and has scored many breath-taking goals over the years.

“He has also played for the Pembrokeshire County Schools under 11’s squad for the last three years, helping them to reach the final in two successive years. This year he was captain of one of the two Welsh Championship-winning sides that made up the county’s team. He is a pleasure to train and his modest manner makes him a popular player among his team mates.”

Playing in midfield his all-action style means he is a box to box player, showing up strongly in both defence and attack. Iori spent a short amount of time in the Swansea Academy but decided he couldn’t give up his love for other sports to focus on just one at such a young age.

Alongside his passion for football is his love for rugby, where once again he has served Tenby United Swifts successfully since he was six. He captains the Swifts’ U11’s and this year was awarded the captaincy of the Pembrokeshire Schools’ U11 team. Playing at outside half or centre, he controls the game well and always leads by example.

His team have won the Pembrokeshire cup for their age group for the last three years and this year at Finals Day he scored four tries and successfully converted eight out of nine team tries for a personal haul of 36 points in a 61-7 success over their counterparts from Haverfordwest.
Tenby Swifts and county coach Jamie Barrielle said: “I have had the pleasure of coaching Iori for both club and county teams, where he has led well as captain and used his skills to get the best out of the other team members.

“Iori is an asset to Tenby RFC now and likely to be in the future; and if he continues on this path he will be very successful in the world of rugby.”

Outside of these two sports, Iori is a year six pupil at the newly-opened Tenby VC School, and this year has been exceptional one for Iori and his fellow school pupils. In January they won gold and silver in both relays at the National Urdd swimming competition in Cardiff, and recently competed at the football and rugby tournaments in the National Urdd competitions in Aberystwyth where they narrowly lost in the final of the football and reached the quarters of the rugby.

“Our school also represented Swansea City at the Premier Schools tournament at Stamford Bridge this month too, after winning several competitions to become the Swansea area qualifiers.

“We enjoyed an extra treat by travelling up to London on the first team coach and won two of our four games but didn’t quite do enough to make the play-offs – but it was great to play at Chelsea’s ground.

“Another brilliant thing was watching The Scarlets beat Munster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in the final of the Pro12 – and I high-fived Rob Evans afterwards!”

His talents also include his love of running, winning both the Pembrokeshire and Dyfed cross county championship whilst in years three and four, and finishing in the top three for both competitions in year five and six. Not content with that little lot, Iori also competes in the cricket, netball, tennis and athletics teams for the school too!

His parents Claire and Ian support his passion for sport in any way they can and along with his older rugby-playing brother, Max, who plays prop for Tenby under 14s, spend most weekends watching from the side lines.

Iori’s an avid Scarlets’ supporter and whenever there’s a free weekend (of which there aren’t many) you’ll find him and his family travelling to Parc y Scarlets, or up at Heywood Lane, for Tenby United home games, and he’s thoroughly enjoyed their successful season this year.

He follows Manchester United like his dad, but will watch any sport that’s on the TV, his knowledge of sport but particularly rugby and football are well above average for his age.

Iori said: ‘I just enjoy playing sport, I have made some wonderful friends whilst playing for Tenby, and I’ve been lucky enough to be part of teams that have been very successful.

“I like taking part in competitions even though I get very nervous. Once I’m on the pitch the nerves disappear and game mode kicks in and I thoroughly enjoy every minute I’m involved.

“I always try and give 100% to whatever sport I’m playing. My current sporting heroes are Gareth Bale (Real Madrid and Wales) for football and Scott Williams (Scarlets and Wales) for rugby.

“When I’m older I’d like to be involved in professional sport in some way or another as it brings me so much enjoyment to my life.”

Telegraph Sport wishes this smashing young feller continued enjoyment and success.