SportingWales Issue 19

ISSUE nineteen

FREE

Luke stands tall

Charteris sums up World Cup heroes

Mackay's mission Quiet revolution in Cardiff

Angel delight Romero springs to the top

Covering all of Welsh sport including tennis, snooker, motorsport, cycling, rugby, football, golf, athletics, gymnastics.

The National Sports Magazine for Wales

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Editor’s notes

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Malky Mackay

cover story

Changing Cardiff City

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Evan Hoyt

Nadal's practice partner

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Darren Morgan

World champion again

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Gareth Roberts

Out of the shadows

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Luke Charteris

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The lanky lock may be out of the Six Nations through injury, but he is used to coming back and will be looking forward to regaining the remarkable impact of the World Cup

Simon Richardson

Lucky to be alive

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The Bigger Picture

Simon Richardson

Gary Speed

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Rugby World Cup Review

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news

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Luke Charteris

The Paralympian gold medallist has become even more famous round the world, but for nearly tragic reasons.

Having nearly died, he is determined to make the most of his future.

A weighty problem

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Elinor Barker

Cycling star in the making

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Angel Romero

Gymnast on Cloud Nine

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Evan Hoyt From practising with Nadal to working his way back to the top.

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Contents

Wales and the Olympics

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Our Partners

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staff and contributors

welcome to sportingwales Like everyone else, SportingWales were absolutely Editor: Hamish Stuart

shocked by the tragic death of Gary Speed.

hamish@sportingwales.com

It was only recently that he was on our front cover, talking about how confident he was of turning round the fortunes of the Wales football team.

He was true to his word, one of the most genuine people in Welsh sport. The tributes you will have heard since his death are the same things people were saying about him before.

It puts everything in perspective, of course. Sport is important, but nowhere near as important and everyone’s thoughts are with his family.

Photography: Steve Pope steve@sportingwales.com

It seemed as though the Welsh sporting world was frozen in time on that Sunday – wherever you heard the news, whatever the sporting or social event you were at, the first reaction was disbelief with shock only following once you finally believed it could be true.

But the sporting world went on, respectfully and never forgetting, not quite knowing what to say.

Flowers, flags and messages sprang up in so many places in Wales and around the UK as queues of numb people paid their silent tributes.

Swansea City, Cardiff City, all of Welsh football, all of Welsh rugby, all of Welsh sport reacted with dignity and compassion.

Design: Paul P Bailey

Editors Message

paul@sportingwales.com

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Head of Sales: Cory Richards cory@sportingwales.com Contributors: Gary Baker Roger Hughes Olivia Scarfi Sarah Mogford Simon Grant Peter Hughes

There was a World Cup, Wales did well, plenty of other Welsh sports people have achieved notable things. We cover plenty of all that in the following pages. The sporting world keeps turning, but we will never forget how we were put in a spin by news we could not quite take in until we had no choice.

Hamish@sportingwales.com

Contributing Photographers: David Gibson Fotosport Ian Cook Publisher: SportingWales Managing Director: Steve Pope Accounts Manager: John Pope

©SportingWales 2011. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted or recorded in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the publisher. While the publishers believe that all information contained in this publication was correct at the time of printing, they can accept no liability for any inaccuracies that may appear.

Contact: info@sportingwales.com

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football

Hands cupped to his mouth, barking instructions in a broad Scottish lilt, fingers jabbing in the direction of players, organising, instructing, and the odd sip of water from the nearby bottle. This is how Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay spends the ninety plus minutes of a match day.

It would be tempting to consider that preparations

Malky Mackay

had been skimped and last minute plans were being put into action; nothing could be further from the truth.

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Roger Hughes

Mackay's mantra is attention to detail Mackay`s organisation of his team on and off the field is considered down to the final detail. It is how he sold himself and his ideas to the Cardiff City directors when he was interviewed to follow Dave Jones as the Bluebirds manager. They ranged from recruitment to sports science, opposition analysis, to the way the club would progress.

“I gave them my ideas, my structure,” said Mackay, “The way we train players. I know the benefits of a strong academy and also a strong group of the next players.”

The Cardiff City owners and directors were impressed enough to give Mackay the job and so far their faith has been rewarded. When the 39-year-old former Scotland defender first sat in his office at the Vale Of Glamorgan training complex, he had the leftover’s of Dave Jones backroom staff, just ten players and a group of kids who had never been anywhere near the first team. “I knew the task and I knew the areas I wanted to shape. I saw a lot of help and a lot of people who wanted the club to go in the right direction.”

In the time Mackay has been in charge, there can be few complaints from the supporters who see their side still up amongst the promotion hopefuls despite the mass exodus of players at the end of last season, but it is the development off the field as much as on it which has given the Cardiff boss particular satisfaction.

“The medical and sports science side is now set up and I am quite proud of that,” he admitted.

“We have our scouting in a structure the way I want it to work. It is important that

the staff at the stadium and the staff at the training ground feel part of it all as well.

They need to feel part of the whole thing, one club, one group.”

Malky Mackay had football in his blood. His father did just about every job at Queens Park, one of the less fashionable Scottish league clubs, where Mackay began his football career.

Eventually ending up at Watford, he was groomed for coaching by former Hornets boss Aidy Boothroyd before becoming caretaker manager.

“There was a big onus on me,” he recalls.

“The manager had been sacked and there was a lot of media attention. There was an onus on me to stand there and lead.

“When I got the caretaker manager's job it was like opening Pandora`s box. I knew the commitment you have to have to want to do this.”

He missed out to Brendan Rodgers, now manager of neighbouring Swansea. “It was very disappointing at the time but, looking back on it, it was better that I had another person to learn from.

“Brendan was good enough to keep me on and we worked closely together for the nine months he was there. We became good friends and still are to this day.”

Next time Watford did turn to their former defender to fill the role and he began to feel the pressure which goes with the manager`s job. Although he was never as nervous coming to the Cardiff City stadium as he was in his spell at Vicarage Road, Mackay feels the responsibility.

“You are standing there and everything falls on you because the spotlight is on you.

If things go wrong the media attention and the questions are on you. The fans eyes are on you if the team does not perform. It is a big difference from being a coach or an assistant,” he added.

Referring back to his hectic time in the manager`s technical area on match days, the Cardiff boss is quick to point out the organisation which goes on during a game.

“I am giving instructions a lot of the time and if I can help one percent then that is better than sitting back and watching the game,” is his thinking.

“I am calm inside. We have Joe McBride (first team coach) who sits in the stand and he radios down. We have a system and I have my eyes in the sky, if there is something which needs to be changed it can be done quickly.”

As for his own position, The Scotsman is wise enough to look around and see the nature of the job his was so keen to embrace. “It is a passion, it is in my blood.

I worked in the real world. I worked in a bank for five years, so I know how good a world this is that I am in,” he said.

“It is 1.4 years for the average life span of a manager. You need to look at the man twenty five years in the job. Manchester United held their nerve. There are not many clubs now who are brave enough to hold onto a manager through troubled times.

“I have put ideas and suggestions in place, but if I don`t get results every Saturday then I am out. That is the industry I am in.”

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Evan Hoyt

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Olivia Scarfi

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Steve Pope

From Stradey Park to Centre Court

The hallowed turf of Stradey Park has been home to several sporting legends, but up to now they have all been rugby players. One young man who wants to change all that is tennis player Evan Hoyt.

The 16-year-old Llanelli star Evan Hoyt caused a stir in tennis circles by being approached by none other than superstar Rafael Nadal to be his practice partner for Wimbledon.

“I had a call from Rafa’s agent asking me to practise with him as a one-off. I couldn’t believe it!” said Evan.

Evan’s tennis ability obviously impressed Nadal because he was asked to practise with him a further five times.

“Nadal was my idol growing up - it was a dream come true for me. He asked if I was playing any futures tournaments (the first tier of adult professional tournaments) but I told him I was still playing junior events as I was 16,” revealed Hoyt.

“He told me he wanted to see me playing the main draw of Wimbledon in two years time! That is now my goal.”

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In addition to practising with one of the world’s most famous players, Hoyt also made his Wimbledon debut in the junior event. “I was given a wildcard for Wimbledon because of my performances during the year.”

He battled with nerves to come through his first match against Spain’s Axe Alvarez Llamas. “The warm up was fine but when I came out to serve I could hardly move my feet. I was so nervous, within a few minutes I had lost my first service game to love and was 2-0 down. I managed to hit a few big returns and I was on the scoreboard.”

Evan came through that match 6-3 6-4.

He then pushed the number 8 seed, Croatian Mate Pavic to a tie break first set before losing the match 7-6 6-2.

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“It was a great feeling to win a match at Wimbledon. I’m planning on bettering that next year though,” he added.

Hoyt’s tennis journey started as a 4-yearold. “I started playing at Llanelli tennis club at Stradey Park. It was fun. I played in group sessions with my friends and it was more social than serious.”

Davis Cup. Evan was part of a three-man Great Britain team who overcame Italy to capture the trophy, regarded by many as the biggest international team event.

Evan’s non-playing captain was former world number four Greg Rusedski. “Greg is great, he’s so positive on court. The only time he isn’t, is when the umpire makes a bad call!”

“I loved playing rugby - I represented West Wales under 12s at outside centre. I really miss rugby, but I always knew I was a better tennis player than rugby player.”

Like most of the nation, Evan found himself caught up in the excitement of Wales’ progress in the recent Rugby World Cup.

Hoyt’s form has gone from strength to strength since Wimbledon. He has played in tournaments as far afield as Mexico and Korea. Mexico is where Hoyt’s biggest career achievement to date came, helping Great Britain to win the Junior

“I was competing in Japan when Wales played their semi-final. My mum was constantly texting me to keep me informed of the score. I was absolutely gutted when at the end of the game she texted to say Wales had lost. But at least I’ve got a few bragging rights over the English lads for a while!” he joked

Glamorgan Sport Play sport. Study sport.

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We have courses available in: • MSc Performance Coaching • MSc Sport, Health and Exercise Science • MSc Youth Sports Coaching For more information about these courses, or to book your place on our Postgraduate Open Evening on 18th January, call 08455 194 787 or visit www.glam.ac.uk/sport.

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words

Gary Baker

pictures

Steve Pope

Morgan on Top of the World - Again Darren Morgan has been something of a thorn in the side of six-times world snooker champion Steve Davis, as much as the Welsh ace admires the Romford legend.

The Newbridge left-hander took his only major title in a Main Tour professional career which spanned 21 years when lifting the Irish Masters crown in 1996 by beating Davis in a final frame decider 9-8.

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Now, in the autumn of his snooker career, Davis has suffered again at the hands of 45-year-old Morgan.

The Welshman beat The Nugget to become this year's World Seniors champion.

And, yes, it was a final frame decider this time too although, being a best-of-three match at the East of England Showground arena, Peterborough, it was a little shorter than the Irish Masters went to the wire between the pair back in 1996.

Morgan has won British, European and world titles in the amateur game since his retirement, having dominated the Masters scene in places from Malta to Thailand.

Nevertheless, winning the World Seniors was as good as the victory which thrust him onto the professional scene in the first place, his 1987 World Amateur Championships victory in India.

For, instead of the Masters series with the amateur players from around the world, the Seniors was packed full of past green baize greats, including former world champions Cliff Thorburn, John Parrott, Joe Johnson and Dennis Taylor as well as Davis.

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In fact, he was on course to make a 147 maximum break in the final, potting eight reds and eight blacks for an 86 in the second frame before missing the ninth.

And he took the deciding frame from Davis - again - with a break of 60 to give him the world title - and signal the start of a party when he got home a few days later.

His World Seniors trophy stands proudly alongside all his others, including that World Amateur cup, in his trophy cabinet.

"It's got to be up there with the best moments of my career," said Morgan. "I know that the World Masters titles were important but there were so many of the old pros there at this one.

"It's just nice to be here and to be a world champion. When I won other titles in the pro game, I didn't really have a party - but I had one this time!"

It ranks up there with the 1999 Nations Cup victory when he was joined by Mark Williams, Matthew Stevens and Dominic Dale to beat a glittering Scottish line-up to take the title.

Morgan added: "I didn't realise how big a deal it was. The World Masters that I've won before are amateur titles but everyone was there for the World Seniors.

"I just entered it to meet up with a couple of old friends I hadn't seen for a few years and, although a couple of people didn't believe me afterwards, I had hardly picked a cue up for three months before the tournament."

Morgan has been asked several times about trying to re-join the professional circuit again. It would mean a year on the Welsh amateur circuit - he was president of the Welsh Snooker Association for a while - and reaching the top echelons of the nation's ranking events or taking the Welsh knock-out title.

But he now runs a trophy and clothing business in a shop beneath the Red Triangle Club in Cross Keys where his career pictures hang on the walls and his trophies stand proudly in their cabinets.

And now, right alongside the World Amateur trophy won all those years ago, is the new one. He said: "I am proud to have done this for my family and my friends but it was good to also prove I can do it for myself again."

SWFacts Darren Morgan DOB 3rd May 1966 Birthplace Newport Nickname Welsh Wizard / Dazza Highest Ranking 8

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Gareth Roberts

Gareth calling the shots

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rallying

When you think of team sports, rallying is not one that might immediately spring to mind. It's the driver who most often gets the glory while the man sat in the passenger seat is all too often left in the shadows.

But a short time spent with Gareth Roberts will soon dispel any myths that the co-driver is just there to make up the numbers. 23 year old Gareth, from Carmarthen, has only been in the sport for 8 years but has already established himself as one of Wales's leading young co-drivers while he and his 21 year old driver, Craig Breen from Waterford in Ireland are already making their mark on the World Rallying scene. And with half a million Euros in the bank to fund their 2012 season things are looking rosy for the young duo.

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Like other World Championship codrivers from Wales such as Nicky Grist and Phil Mills before him, Gareth's rallying career began in the lanes of rural Wales, navigating on road rallies from the age of 15. In doing so, Gareth was following a family tradition, his father Michael having been crowned Welsh Forest Rally Champion in 1998.

As soon as he was old enough Gareth made the move into stage rallying and competed in the British Rally Championship with Midlander Matt Beebe doing the driving. After winning their class in an MG, Gareth switched to Ford Fiestas for the following season, teaming up with Fishguard driver Rory Hall.

A second year in the Fiestas saw Gareth partnering Elfyn Evans and he and the Dolgellau driver won both the Irish and UK Championships. With circumstances forcing Elfyn to take a year out in 2009, the opportunity arose for Gareth to compete on a couple of rallies

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with Elfyn's father, former British Rally Champion Gwyndaf Evans and for some sibling rivalry.

managed to finish fifth in the Privateers Cup, taking victory on the International Rally Northern Ireland along the way.

Gareth's brother David was also codriving by now and competing in the same class and on the same rallies. “I was with Gwyndaf and he was with David Meredith from North Wales.” explains Gareth before adding with a smile, “I think we came out on top.”

Meanwhile, Gareth was made redundant from his “day job” as an electrician and set up his own business something that he continues to juggle with his rallying activities. “I've got some good staff working for me and my parents play a key part when I am abroad.” he explains, adding, “You can't be thinking of other things once you are in the car calling pacenotes.”

It was about this time that Gareth got the call from Craig Breen to co-drive, once again in the Fiesta Challenge in what was to become a quite remarkable season.

“Craig asked me to do the UK series with him”, he explains, “Then that turned into UK and Ireland then those plus the World Series and two more championships in Ireland. We won all 5.”

The duo moved into the main British Rally Championship for 2010 driving a more powerful Fiesta S2000 running in the class for two litre non-turbocharged four wheel drive cars. Despite a mixed season they

Those pace-notes are the single most important part of a co-driver's role.

To the uninitiated they can sound like a nonsensical jumble of words and numbers but the co-driver uses them to describe the road ahead to his or her driver. Get them right and you can set a fast time.

Get them wrong and your rally can come to an abrupt halt.

Clearly, therefore trust is an important part in the relationship between driver

and co-driver and it is something that Craig and Gareth obviously have in each other.

Summing up his partnership with Craig to date, Gareth says, “I've been with Craig three years and since the first rally we've gone up the ladder. This year has been unbelievable.” 2011 has been spent competing in the SWRC, the competition within the World Rally Championship for S2000 cars, once again in a Fiesta. Their main focus has been on winning the WRC Academy, one of the most prestigious and valuable prizes in motorsport. That battle came down to the final stage of the final round, Wales Rally GB. To deprive their Estonian rivals, Egon Kaur and Erik Lepikson of victory they had to win five of the final day's six stages.

With the Estonians winning the first stage of the day, Breen and Roberts could afford

no further slips and remarkably cleaned up the last five stages to snatch the half million Euro cheque which must be used to fund their rallying next year.

Speaking after the event, Gareth said “It’s absolutely fabulous. … I believed we could do it and I told Craig that he could do it, and obviously everything went all right in the end.”

With father Michael having returned to competing on local road rallies and brother David enjoying considerable success in the British Rally Championship alongside another Irish driver, Jonny Greer, it seems like rallying will be the main topic of conversation at the Roberts dinner table for the foreseeable future.

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Simon Richardson

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The bad news for Wales is that a likely Paralympic gold medallist will not be able to compete at the London Games next year. The good news for Simon Richardson is that he is still alive.

A double gold medallist in Beijing, with a silver as well, cyclist Richardson was training on the roads around Bridgend when he was hit by a vehicle and nearly died – probably would have done if he were not so fit that the body was able to keep going.

The irony is that he has achieved more worldwide fame for his misfortune that the good fortune of winning medals in China, but all that pales into significance as he battles back to fitness with his focus turning from competition to fund-raising.

Apart from raising money for the Wales Air Ambulance which saved his life, he is also living proof of a pretty important message of trying to promote the safety of cycling on the roads and to make sure motorists leave enough space for their twin-wheeled brethren.

With former Olympic gold medal-winning rower James Cracknell nearly dying after being hit by a lorry's wing mirror while cycling in America, the message is very timely and deservedly getting a fair bit of coverage.

The fund-raising and publicity will come later, the first thing is that Richardson is on the road to recovery.

“I will get there and that is the main thing,” he said. “We are setting up a Bike Safe campaign to be launched in the new year.

“I am also planning to cycle round Wales, 750 miles, to raise money for the air ambulance. There are so many people who want to do it that it takes some setting up. I think we will have to limit it to 10 riders doing it all with others joining on each day.

“The main target of that is raising money for the air ambulance – without which I would have died on the side of the road.

People do not realise it is all charity based, but without them I would have had major problems getting to hospital.

“There was an air ambulance, police helicopter, four or five police cars, umpteen ambulances, the chief constable was there.

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“I cannot remember what happened, just vague things, though I have been told.

I was unconscious for two weeks, an induced coma because of breathing.

“It took a lot of convincing to explain to me what had happened, I still feel two weeks behind everything now which is a really strange experience.

“Being in a self induced coma is horrible because all the drugs that keep you there affect everything. I lost three stone in body weight and I was very fit before going in, so it was all muscle that was lost.”

All this happened in August, there are ongoing proceedings so it is currently impossible to go into details about the accident.

However perhaps the most amazing thing is that Richardson is back in training, even though his dream and expectation of competing for medals in London next year is plainly no longer an option.

“It is very different training, just turning my legs round for 10 minutes which seems nothing to me, but it is a start,” he explained.

“I need to be in full training by February to be able to go round Wales doing 110 miles day. I may need a back operation in which case it will all be put back a bit.

“It would take two to three years of training to get back to where I was, so long term the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow could be an option depending on the events they choose to have. I will set goals and hope for them to be possible.”

If there is one message that has been reinforced for Richardson, it is that there are much more important things than sport.

“In the last two months, three cyclists have died on the roads of the UK after being hit by vehicles. I go out and the vehicles are so close to you, people do not understand,” he said.

“Drivers should give cycles the same distance as a small car so that if you do fall off you do not get hit. There is a totally different attitude to cycling on the continent because there the cyclist is always right, unless the car driver can prove it was the cyclist's fault.

“The law needs to change, but this has gone global and my profile has become so high.

“It is an issue all over the world. I read in the paper the other day about a cyclist killed in New York and the driver was fined $45, that's about £30.”

It is a subject doubly close to Richardson's heart as the accident which led him to

the Paralympics in the first place was also being knocked off his bike by a car, suffering a broken leg and subsequent back injuries.

At least success the Beijing Paralympics was a significant high and brought Richardson to the attention of the Welsh sporting public.

“Beijing was a strange experience because I was in the village for two weeks, everything was x-rayed and scanned nonstop,” he said.

“I have never raced in a velodrome where every seat was taken, the experience of hearing cheers following you, so it was a great experience just to be there.

“My profile is higher now after the accident than after Beijing, it was mad for six months to a year going round schools and showing the medals but then it calmed down.

“Now my publicity is higher so I will do a lot more schools and things in the next year, we always talk about the Olympics but then go onto the safety side of cycling.

“I am about a month ahead of where I should be in terms of the recovery, but if it had been the average cyclist with the average mentality then they would have been in trouble.”

It is perhaps an appropriate understatement on which to finish.

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Sportin to all c gWales orners Distrib u of Wa les ted rds on

ory Richa

C es, email ng enquiri si rti e v d a For com rtingwales. cory@spo

sportingwales www.sportingwales.net

Welsh Assembly

First Minister Carwyn Jones signing MOU with Fiona Pickering, Secretary General, Oceania Paralympic Committee on International Paralympic Day (8 September)

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Bringing the World to Wales

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When it comes to attracting London 2012 pre-Games training camps, Wales is punching well above its weight.

Numerous Olympic and Paralympic committees have chosen to base themselves in and around Wales with close to 800 athletes, coaches and support staff using our world class facilities, with a direct investment into the economy which could run into millions of pounds.. From as early as February 2012, the Amateur International Boxing

Association pre-Games training camp will be using Cardiff University’s facilities to prepare for London 2012.

Wales can boast 32 LOCOG accredited pre Games training venues, many of which are being utilised in the run up to the Olympic & Paralympic Games, including Newport’s international velodrome which is already at full capacity.

“It’s not just about the immediate pre Games training camp in 2012,” said David Evans, Head of Pre-Games Training in Welsh Government “athletes from various countries have been using facilities in Wales for the last three years with many more planned prior to events in and around the UK over the next 10 months. For example, the New Zealand Paralympic Swim team will base themselves here next March in preparation for an event in Sheffield, and their Athletics team will be here in May 2012, before they all return in August to prepare for London. Australian and South African teams have also already been to Wales familiarising themselves with the environment” Events are playing their part in attracting teams to Wales and helping to make final preparations for London. Wales recently hosted the GB Wheelchair Rugby Cup which provided the Australian team with an opportunity to experience Cardiff exactly a year out from the Games. The Canoe Slalom World Cup at Cardiff International White Water in June 2012 will also provide an opportunity for teams to remain in Cardiff to make final preparations for London 2012.

Attracting Olympic and Paralympic Committees is an extremely competitive business within the nations and regions of the UK and western Europe. Paramount to this success has been the teamwork between public, private and third sector organisations.

The First Minister of Wales recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the entire Oceania Paralympic region which will mean athletes from nine countries training in South Wales leading into the Paralympic Games. (PHOTO). First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said “Wales is committed to providing a first class environment for athletes and the combination of world class training facilities, proximity and quality of accommodation, access to state-of-the-art support services, together with a Welsh welcome that is second to none, is a compelling offer which has resulted in Paralympic athletes from many nations deciding to choose Wales.”

Teams that have committed to preparing in Wales include: National Paralympic Committees Australian Paralympic Committee

Cardiff & Newport

New Zealand Paralympic Committee

Swansea

South African Paralympic Committee

Cardiff & Newport

British Paralympic Cycling

Newport

US Paraympic Cycling

Newport

Oceania Paralympic Committee - including:- Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands

Cardiff

National Olympic Committees Amateur International Boxing Association ‘Road to London’ Boxing Camp

Cardiff University

Irish Triathlon

Swansea

Swimming South Africa

Cardiff

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee

Cardiff

British Cycling

Newport

Athletics New Zealand

Cardiff

Wales will kick off the Olympic Football tournament at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium (http://www.millenniumstadium.com/ events/26967.php , two days before the official Opening Ceremony. Cardiff will host eleven matches over eight days.

The Olympic Torch Relay will travel through Wales forr five days from 25 May 2012. with overnight stops in Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bangor. www.london2012.com/ olympictorchrelay The Paralympic Flame Festival will take place in Cardiff on 27 August 2012 www.london2012.com/paralympic-torch-relay The Australia and New Zealand Paralympic Athletics teams, outside Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff after their scoping visit in July 2011

Pre Games training camps also provide opportunities to develop sporting, educational and cultural exchanges with countries that come to Wales and provide opportunities for children and local communities to get involved, resulting in a positive Games legacy for Wales. Visiting teams are enthusiastic about interacting with the local community while in Wales and want the people of Wales to get behind them at Games-time. sportingwales

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Gary Speed

The Bigger Picture

8 September 1969 - 27 November 2011

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No excuses for Wales The best performance in Rugby World Cup for 24 rugby

years, potential finalists rather than being on the first set of flights home, but also some lessons for Wales to ponder if they are ever to get better.

First the good news. Wales have an excellent coaching team who work at their best when the players are kept on their toes, there are some young players coming through who are the envy of any team in the world, there is a mighty impressive level of professionalism – so there is certainly loads to work with going forward.

Now the bad news. Fans and followers have been so used to consoling themselves with excuses over the years that it has almost become a culture - and it has to end for the next big step forward.

It is vital the agenda gets changed. The excuse culture has to go.

Wales are becoming good enough that excuses for failure are no longer needed, the next step forward is learning through doing it – what I'll call the Munster method.

It took Munster a few goes at learning the winning formula, they lost two Heineken Cup Finals to Northampton and Leicester they should have won.

The excuse culture took over after the second defeat when Neil Back handled the ball at the scrum and denied Munster a chance to snatch victory. It is worth remembering they lost that final 15-9, so even if they had won the scrum there was plenty to do to have won the game.

However Munster have learned, they just set about making the best of any situation facing them in the final minutes, be it winning through an O'Gara drop goal or gaining a losing bonus point.

They focus only on the possible, on the best case scenario, on what needs to be done. They do not focus on the what-ifs of any situation, just the whatto-do, it is not the how but how many. sportingwales

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There is a similar approach among the best countries in the world and South Africa showed it against Wales when they were simply outclassed for most of the game, but still came through to win.

So it is time to look at some of the talking points of the World Cup and wonder whether there was too much talk, too many column inches, for the good of the team and future success.

Wales did not lose against South Africa because they were denied a perfectly good James Hook penalty. TV can be deceptive, has no depth perception and the camera was not directly behind the ball.

TV replays are great for showing if the ball passes behind or in front of a post of crossbar, but Hook's kick sailed high above the posts. The only person on the planet who knows for sure was the touch judge looking straight up and he said it did not pass inside the line of the post.

That kick came in the first half, South Africa did what they needed to do to get ahead in the second half – reacting to the scoreboard as it was. Wales then had two

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gilt-edged chances to win the game, but the kicks were not even close.

Then the second part of the conspiracy theory was the semi-final sending off of Sam Warburton, by an Irish referee with a French mother.

It was not a deliberately dangerous tackle, it was certainly unlucky, but it was a definite sending-off according to the laws as they stand.

People argued Rolland made the decision too quickly – but they are wrong. He saw what he saw, what was there to delay about?

People have argued he should have consulted the touch judges – wrong. He was eight feet from the incident and they were far further away with a worse view.

People have argued that a different decision should have been made because it was such a big game – desperately wrong. If big games are refereed with greater laxity than others, then down that road lies disaster.

If the decision had been referred to a

television match official – something which should be looked at for red cards and possibly yellows because they can have more impact than a try – then it would have been confirmed.

Wales and Warburton pleaded guilty to the offence and did not appeal afterwards.

Nothing more should have been said, but it took Warburton himself to stop the excuse culture short by pointing out the truth of the matter on his return.

The captain had an immensely impressive World Cup both on and off the pitch – compare him with England's Lewis Moody and Mike Tindall if you want a good laugh – and that honesty was even more immensely impressive.

France changed their game plan after that incident, so it not right to say that Wales would certainly have won. It was an outstanding effort by the remaining 14, some incredible heroes out there in Wales jerseys, but the injury to Adam Jones was another crucial moment.

France took it for granted they would win against 14, they just tried to keep the game under control – quite frankly, who

knows what would have happened if it was 15 against 15.

Once again Wales had chances towards the end, but did not even take the drop goal attempt with around five minutes of the match remaining when they were in position.

Then Leigh Halfpenny saw his penalty from halfway fall an inch or two short in heartbreaking fashion. Again he was totally honest afterwards, he did not blame the balls or the conditions, he only looked at what he could have done better when actually it was one of the best long distance attempts of the whole World Cup. Wales coach Warren Gatland is a very honest person, if he is asked a question then he answers with how he feels – so the agenda is too easily set by those outside the Wales camp looking for excuses.

There are journalists, pundits and fans looking for someone else to blame, searching for an 'issue' with the quotes of a disappointed coach to use as a starting point.

The reality check started through the honesty of the likes of Warburton and Halfpenny – and indeed most of the players.

Wales stole a march on the world through their preparation, they were wonderful for most of the match against South Africa, won the game against Samoa that many a Wales side would have lost, ruthlessly dispatched Ireland, while the 14 man effort against France was simply breathtaking.

The WRU moved swiftly to confirm the coaching team for the future – compare that smooth control with some of the actions of other countries.

Wales scored tries and made friends, they are re-established on the world stage.

They are becoming too good to make excuses, or for fans and followers to make them either. sportingwales

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ISPS ready to tee off new deal

The Wales Open golf will help to promote sport round the world – thanks to a new sponsor who will help guarantee the quality of the event for the next three years.

ISPS (International Sports Promotion Society) is the new title sponsor for its flagship European Tour golf event – the ISPS Handa Wales Open.

Chaired by Japanese businessman and philanthropist Dr Haruhisa Handa, ISPS supports the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA) and will be raising the profile of blind and disabled golf through its association with the ISPS Handa Wales Open and other golf tournaments around the world.

The 2012 ISPS Handa Wales Open from May 31 - June 3 will be ISPS’s first European Tour event following successful sponsorships of tournaments on the European Senior Tour, Ladies European Tour, Asian Tour, Japanese Golf Tour Organisation, PGA of Japan Seniors Tour, Australian PGA and Legends Tour.

“ISPS is committed to raising the profile of blind and disabled golf throughout the world, having established the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA) in 1998. We believe the ISPS Handa Wales Open offers a great platform from which to promote our mission for golf to become a Paralympic sport.”

Welcoming the sponsorship at The Celtic Manor Resort was Paul McGinley, who claimed one of his four European Tour victories at Celtic Manor and was a vice-captain of the victorious European 2010 Ryder Cup team at the venue.

McGinley said: “It is always a personal pleasure to return to Celtic Manor, the scene of some of my happiest memories in golf and I am very happy to be here to welcome ISPS as title sponsor of the ISPS Handa Wales Open. On behalf of European Tour players, we look forward to working with them and supporting them in raising the profile of blind and disabled golf.”

With a prize fund of £1.8m and staged on the Twenty Ten Course which hosted such a memorable Ryder Cup in 2010, the ISPS Handa Wales Open has grown into one of the most established golf events in Europe.

Tickets for the ISPS Handa Wales Open are available at an early bird price of £21 adult daily and £47 adult season until 29th February 2012. For tickets and further information, visit ispshandawalesopen.com

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ISPS Chairman Dr Handa said: “ISPS is delighted to become title sponsor

of our first European Tour event. The Celtic Manor Resort is a fantastic venue and we are looking forward to working with them on hosting the ISPS Handa Wales Open over the historic Twenty Ten Course for the next three years.

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Former Wales Open champion Paul McGinley gives a pointer to Midori Miyazaki, Executive Director International Affairs of ISPS, the new tournament sponsor.

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Life After Sport A professional sports person’s career can be short and many athletes are retired by the time they reach their early 30’s or 40’s. Throughout their sporting career, it may be all they have known; with little or no regard for their “life after sport”. Christian Edwards, Partner and Sports Law expert at JCP Solicitors, discusses what every professional sports person should be aware of, including the moral responsibilities placed on clubs and organisations in nurturing and educating young sports stars: A sporting professional will want to consider what he or she will do after sport and a club or organisation will want to look at the benefits retired athletes can bring to their ongoing and continued success. For example, these individuals can sometimes be the best ambassadors for a club; having “been there and done it”. Their contacts in the sport may be established and their reputations such, that young aspiring sports stars look up to them, respect their opinions and treat them as trusted advisers. This can then lead to the club attracting the best young talent.

Financial planning is important, and given the obvious riches on offer

(at least in some sports), it is critical that arrangements are made for financial affairs as early as possible.

Early consideration should be given to preparing a Will with a solicitor and retaining a financial adviser or accountant to advise on potential tax implications. Clubs could be providing the “total package” with access to professionals such as solicitors, accountants and financial advisers as part of a contract. This should extend to asset/investment advice in helping to build an investment portfolio for life after sport.

As an individual, does your contract provide adequate insurance cover and in what circumstances? You need to be alert that your career may be brought to an early and abrupt end due to injury. From a club’s perspective, most will ensure that in such circumstances, insurance is adequate to cover for the time and money spent on an individual’s development.

With many top athletes moving into media roles following retirement, a sound education is critical. A club would normally provide some form of media training given the demands on high profile stars to give interviews. Not only should this include training as to how to deal with the media but should also include education as to responsibilities in relation to social media.

Swansea Office - SA6 8QP Whitland Office - SA34 0NG Fishguard Office - SA65 9AL St Davids Office - SA62 6RD

A club could also consider coaching qualifications or becoming a licensed sport agent. Again a club can see a mutual benefit in appointing coaches from within and therefore retaining continuity.

In summary many people see a sports professional’s career being just on the sporting field, but it goes much further. The personal development that goes on in many large sporting organisations is testimony to that.

Wishing you future success in your sporting endeavours!

Christian Edwards provides advice to well known sporting facilities, players and athletes across Wales and beyond. He is a Partner and Sports Law specialist at JCP Solicitors.

For more information or for a free informal discussion with the Sports Law team at JCP Solicitors telephone 01792 773 773 email sport@jcpsolicitors.co.uk or visit www.jcp-sports-law.co.uk

T: 01792 773 773 T: 01994 503 101 T: 01348 873 671 T: 01348 873 671

law@jcpsolicitors.co.uk www. jcpsolicitors.co.uk JCP Solicitors is the trading name of John Collins and Partners LLP

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Welsh children to be made safer in sport across Wales Child protection in sport has made huge strides forward as nine top Welsh sports organisations were applauded for their commitment to keeping children safe.

Several top sporting bodies were commended for achieving the NSPCC’s child protection in sports standards at an event hosted

by Welsh Minister for Housing, Regeneration & Heritage Huw Lewis.

The successful sports recognised for their commitment to safeguarding and protecting children are; Cricket Wales, Hockey Wales, Swim Wales, Welsh Judo Association, Welsh Athletics, Welsh Rugby Union, Football Association Wales, Golf Development Wales and Welsh Gymnastics.

The successful sports have, over the last 12 months been working towards achieving standards within the national child protection framework. The framework provides practical support for sporting organisations and groups throughout Wales

Minister Huw Lewis with Zoe Thacker and Ellen Jones of Golf Development Wales - one of nine Welsh sports to make the grade

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to help raise child protection standards within their sport.

Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Huw Lewis said: “The safeguarding of children is a key priority for the Welsh Government, not just in sport but in all aspects of life.

Congratulations to the nine National Governing bodies of Sport who have achieved level two of the framework for safeguarding and protecting children in and through sport. “ Head of the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit Anne Tiivas said: “The CPSU recognises and commends all these sports for the substantial amount of time and effort that has been put in to complete the Safeguarding Standards and to ensure children involved in sport in Wales have a safer and more enjoyable experience.”

Professor Laura McAllister, Chair Sport Wales said: “ At Sport Wales our aspiration is to get every child hooked on sport for life and in order to achieve this we need to work with our partners to ensure that sport is both safe and enjoyable. In everything we do the safety of children and young people’s needs to be paramount, whilst also ensuring that sport continues to provide appropriate challenge in order to develop skills.

Lloyds TSB Cardiff Half Marathon is stunning in the sun The Kenyans came to Cardiff, brought the sun with them and dominated the Lloyds TSB Half Marathon, as thousands of runners of all ages and abilities took to the streets.

Olympic silver medal winner and event patron Jamie Baulch started the race along with the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, with an electric atmosphere round the city as the sweat and effort of those taking part earned an estimated million pounds for charities.

The race attracted runners from all corners of the globe, including the USA, Poland and Australia.

Kenyan Edwin Kiptoo soared clear in the race to claim a course record, running 13.1 miles in just 1 hour 3 minutes and 27 seconds. Kenyans dominated the top three, with Andrew Lesuuda and Edwin Kipkorir, last year’s winner, taking 2nd and 3rd.

The women’s race was won by Kenyan Alice Mogire, with a time of 1:11:26. Second and third place were taken by

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Welsh Gymnastics Claim the Podium at Northern Europeans Poland’s Agnieszka Ciolek and Kenyan Edinah Kwambai.

Winning the Welsh Half Marathon Championships were Swansea Harriers’ Philip Matthews and Andrea Whitcombe.

Thousands of runners raised money for almost 800 different charities and good causes. An estimated £1,000,000 was raised, with a team of 1200 people running for Barnardo’s, the race’s charity partner.

Several wore fancy dress, including a giraffe, a kingfisher, a bat and a Roman centurion.

Celebrities also took part in the run. Actress and singer Connie Fisher was among the runners, raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Eggheads’ CJ de Mooi ran for Barnardo’s, former Miss Wales Courtenay Hamilton ran for Velindre and Mathew Pritchard donned a full fireman’s outfit and kit to raise funds for Ty Hafan. TV presenters Matt Johnson and Rhydian Bowen Philips also took part.

Over 350 people also signed up to run in the Barnardo’s Cardiff Family Fun Run, many enjoying the atmosphere and the occasion.

The race organisers would like to thank all event sponsors and suppliers. An extra special thanks go to event sponsors Lloyds TSB, and partners Welsh Government, Cardiff Council, Welsh Athletics and the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The Northern European Championships 2011, in Uppsala, Sweden brought a fantastic set of performances from Welsh gymnasts who swept the medal boards, with 4 golds, 4 silvers and 4 bronze.

The Welsh men’s artistic team made up of Clinton Purnell, Grant Gardiner, Harry Owen, Matthew Hennessey and Robert Sansbury placed 1st in the men’s artistic team event a place higher than the previous championships.

Adding to the team gold was Clinton Purnell of Barry YMCA who took individual 1st place in the vault with a faultless performance. He also completed his medal collection with still rings silver and a bronze in the high bar. Not one to be out-done by his team mate Grant Gardiner, of Woking Gymnastic Club, also medalled taking bronze on the parallel bars.

The team and individual performances seen at the Northern Europeans marks a significant step up in men’s gymnastics in Wales which has been overshadowed by the Women’s artistic performances of late.

Those performances were bolstered by Lizzie Beddoe, Georgina Hockenhull, Mollie Moore, Jessica Hogg and Kiera Brennan who took silver in the women’s artistic team event.

Two more golds followed, courtesy of Kiera Brennan and Lizzie Beddoe who took 1st place in the uneven bars and the floor respectively. Brennan added to her gold with a bronze on the uneven bars. Jess Hogg scored a 13.550 to take second and silver in the individual vault.

Dita Koch, the Welsh women’s artistic coach said, “We got all the possible places and medals we could of. It was disappointing not to get the 1st in the team event but the swedes were really strong, but with several great individual performances it was a successful Europeans.”

Tracy Skirton Welsh women’s artistic national coach thought the championships capped off the season nicely. “This was a really good opportunity for our junior gymnasts to gain some competitive experience, it also shows the depth in our squad that we can effectively put out a second team and still win medals,” said Skirton.

Runners are already starting to sign up for next year’s race, scheduled for Sunday 21 October. People registering before 31 December can guarantee their place at a discount rate. With the race selling out for 3 years in a row, we recommend you register now to secure your spot.

Visit www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk

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Greene light for epilepsy charity World Champion Welsh Hurdler Dai Greene took a break from his Olympic training to meet and talk with 6-year-old Owain Richards from Hengoed, who has epilepsy. Greene, who has epilepsy himself, credits his determination to excel at his sport as the catalyst for changing his lifestyle and ending the seizures he was experiencing as a young 17/18 year old.

“I have been taken aback by the response I’ve had. I’m going to make this an annual event for as long as I can. Early thoughts for next year include an idea to do a ‘three peaks’ walk, starting at the Penallta Pit Pony, then walking up Caerffili mountain and ending in the Millennium Stadium, the latter not so much being a geographical peak and more a sporting peak!

When Owain was diagnosed with epilepsy, his father, Ceri, was amazed at the lack of awareness surrounding a condition – which affects over 23,000 people in Wales – and so decided to organise a fun-walk along the Taff Trail to raise money and also the profile of Epilepsy services.

“Owain had his first seizure in November 2009, just after his 4th birthday. He was diagnosed with benign epilepsy in August 2010.

He had a very bad seizure in January this year, after which he’s been put on medication to control the epilepsy. He hasn’t had a seizure since this time.

The walk raised over £6,600 for Epilepsy Wales and Greene was only too happy to make the presentation to Lesley Morris, coordinator for the charity who commented, “It is with the help of high profile people like Dai Greene, who is not embarrassed to talk about his epilepsy, that we will begin to raise the awareness of such a common condition, and to show that it is not something to be discriminated against.”

The plan is that he’ll come off the medication in around 18 months time or so.”

Greene is not the only top sportsman to have had epilepsy – Tom Smith, the former Scottish and British Lions prop, the South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes and the fastest woman in the world – Florence Griffith Joyner, Flo-Jo, are amongst the headliners of the sports world to have had epilepsy but who never let it stand in the way of their ambitions.

The first walk was 10th October, 2010, up much of the Taff Trail, starting in Heath Hospital , where Owain was born, and ending in Prince Charles Hospital, where he has been treated after having his seizures.

That walk was 27 miles and took almost 11 hours. 29 people took part and raised around £5,640.

This year’s walk took place on 25th September and was the second one. This time the volunteers walked the entire length of the Rhymney Valley, where Owain lives.

It started in Rhymney Bridge (Llechryd) and finished at Caerffili Castle. The walk was around 22 miles long and took 8 hours. 24 people took part on the walk and will raise around £6,600.

“For both walks, I asked friends, families and work colleagues to both donate money and take part on the day,” explained Morris. charity walk sportingwales

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Luke looking long term Luke Charteris has an unusual weight problem – working out the right amount to put on, when he laughingly says his natural weight would be five or six stone.

Given that there are plenty of slightly chunkier rugby players who would need to be Charteris' 6'10” to balance their height/weight ratio – and even more among the fans – it is an unusual problem which has taken a few years to get just right.

It is a sign of his impact that the lanky lock will be so badly missed in the Six Nations – with the irony that after neck and back issues which can be traced to his height, it is a more normal wrist injury which rules him out.

At the start of the year it did not look as though he would be a candidate for the Rugby World Cup, niggling injuries limited his training and playing to the extent it was a bit of a surprise he came through the pre-World Cup sessions with flying colours.

Height is obviously one of his strengths, along with the athleticism of someone who was a pretty good high hurdler in his youth, but it was the work rate Down Under which dazzled the analysts.

Only Sam Warburton and Toby Faletau averaged more tackles per game in the World Cup, but Charteris was within a tackle per match, which is an incredible record for a second row.

No wonder Wales coach Warren Gatland announced that the previously secure partnership of Alun Wyn Jones and Bradley Davies would be broken up, but it was now a question of which one would partner first choice Charteris.

He made 16 tackles in the first half against Ireland and averaged more than 11 per game (which includes substitutions in matches which lower the figures, most players averaged between five and nine).

He was quite immense in the 14 man effort against France.

He is also refreshingly honest. When asked about his contract ending this season with plenty of options open to him, he simply said he would like to stay with the Dragons where he is captain this season. Judging from stories since, his agent has had a word about contractual tactics, but those are not his original instincts.

“I came back with mixed feelings from the World Cup,” he reveals. “It was a great experience and the quarter-final was the biggest high of my rugby career and then unfortunately the biggest down was the week after with the semi-final.

“I came back with a lot of what-ifs and a hunger to play more international rugby to prove ourselves on the international scene again.”

That will have to wait a while because of the wrist injury sustained early in the game against South Africa, but which needed an operation to sort it out.

However it was the lack of injuries which proved crucial up until that point.

“So much of rugby is just trying to stay clear of injury and the more games you can string together brings better form, because you can develop skills, and your confidence increases,” he said.

“I do not think there was any major change in the way I was playing or being coached what to do, I was just playing that rugby consistently.

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“The Poland camp really helped. I went into that 100 per cent fit and came out of it 100 per cent fit after doing an awful lot of training out there and my conditioning was the best it has ever been.

“We needed the time together for the coaches to get us into that shape, that was a long old summer, real hard training on the fitness but also the rugby areas they thought would would be vital in the World Cup. “It was not fun out there, I am not going to lie - I did not enjoy Poland at all but the fact it paid off means I would gladly go back any time. No matter how hard and how horrible it is there, the benefits were clear to see.

“The way Wales like to play there is a high workload for the front five and you have to be at a high level of fitness to do it well.

“We are asked to do all the donkey work, the back row get the glory and the backs get even more glory. That is the way it has always been, if I was faster and more skilful I would play in the backs, but we are happy because we know our roles in the team – if we can watch the backs running in the tries then happy days.”

So what did Warren Gatland see in 6'10” Charteris? The problem was not the obvious assets, but keeping them in one piece, however it still surprised quite a few when Gatland announced in New Zealand that the Dragons player was now his number one second row ahead of Alun Wyn Jones and Bradley Davies.

“We are all slightly different body shapes and body sizes and that is the beauty of

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rugby. As you get older you get to know what is best for you in training and how to look after your body,” he explained.

“I was happy with the way things were going at the time and it is always good to get recognition, but that opinion can change on the back of one game.

“The good thing about Wales and what is pushing me is that there are so many good second rows, Brad and Alun Wyn are superb players, but it is not just those two because there are more guys behind that as well.

“There is now competition in a large part of the squad and we are now seeing the benefits of that.”

There have always been extra tall second rows who have played a vital part in winning ball, as well as contributing round the pitch, but Charteris was a talented athlete in his youth competing in the sprint hurdles.

“I was a lot lighter back then and it was a bit easier to run, not so easy when you are twenty stone plus, but it does mean I have always enjoyed a fast and open game,” he said.

“When I was younger it was really hard to put weight on, I always weighed between 105-110 kgs (around 17st), that was too light for international rugby or even possibly professional rugby and that was why I got a few more injuries back then.

“It is not something you can just do in one off-season, but a lot of time has been spent in the weights room and I have got the weight up. At one point I was probably too heavy and it was harder to run around.

“Now I am around 125 kgs and that is about right, a nice balance between being big enough for the scrum and contact area but still being able to run round the park.

“It takes work to maintain this – my natural weight is probably five or six stone, but I know what I need to do now.

“I do spend a lot of time in the gym doing rehab and prehab, we are trying pre-empt injuries and certain parts of the body need more attention. Everyone is doing the same amount of work, but everything is tailored individually, I have a different programme to Alun Wyn and Bradley.

“I have a pretty long list of things, but it is all geared to avoiding injury as much as you can.”

Picking your current Lions team is one of the favourite games for rugby fans in the Northern hemisphere, however unrealistic it would be. On the back of the World Cup, most people would have a fully fit Charteris in theirs, but he is not getting carried away.

“I have been around long enough to know you can rise and fall pretty quickly.

There is a long time before now and next season, the summer tour to Australia, all sorts of things to aim at. If you want to achieve long term goals like the Lions then it will need a lot of hard work.”

Another injury break to come back from, but still there is the feeling that the last few months have changed a lot of things for Charteris.

By day I’m under a mountain of work.

But when I get off the 16.04 to London I’m on top of the world.

Explore London by train. Be a Great Westerner.

For tickets and times go to www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk

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Elinor’s silver lining!

Following in the footsteps of Wales’ Olympic gold medalist Nicole Cooke is no mean feat, but 17 year-old cyclist Elinor Barker is giving it a good go. And after making her presence on podiums around the world quite a habit in recent months, she could well be on the right track.

Sarah Mogford caught up with her at the Wales National Velodrome, Newport to find out just what it takes to follow your dreams in the world of

Elinor barker

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You could be forgiven for thinking that your average 17 year-old would be reluctant to jump straight back into training after a jam-packed summer of riding and just a short break from the bike, but for Elinor ‘normality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be’.

“When I have time I can be a normal teenager, but I don’t feel like I’m missing out on a lot really. I’ve just had a break; I had three weeks off the bike and it didn’t seem like anyone really did anything! It was lovely to catch up with friends but other than that it was quite boring!”

For someone whose day to day life involves a constant juggle between studying for her A Levels and training it’s no wonder that slowing down comes as a bit of a shock to the system.

“I’ve had to fit in training around my school work during the week and then use the weekends for longer rides. It’s quite hard but I’ve just got to time plan really well. I’m doing A Levels in biology, English literature, maths and PE and have to study five days a week. Luckily my teachers have been quite supportive this year; saying I’m not at school because I’m at the Commonwealth Youth Games sounds a lot better than saying I was training!”

Brought to you in association with

And talking of training, just what commitment is involved in cycling for your country?

“I probably spend about two or three hours a day on a bike during the week.

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Weekends are slightly different, anything between three and six hours really. I use the Wales National Velodrome once or twice a week and also my turbo trainer at home as well.”

The last six months have certainly seen Elinor’s dedication to her training pay off; creeping onto the scene to sneak medals in nearly all her major competitions. It’s quite a list.

With a silver medal in the Time Trial at the European Junior Championships in July, Elinor started the summer as she meant to go on. August saw her crowned the National Junior Pursuit Champion before she represented Wales at the Commonwealth Youth Games in September, bringing back two silver and two bronze medals with her. She then travelled straight to Denmark for the World Championships where she claimed the first medal for GB coming second in the Junior Time Trial.

surreal, I kept thinking ‘am I really here with all these famous people?’

“Our plane was delayed so we were late getting off and we were joking about saying ‘imagine if it was someone like Bradley Wiggins waiting for us’ and then we got to the bus and he was actually there waiting for us! I didn’t recognise him at first because it was quite dark and I looked again and was like ‘oh my god!’”

And promisingly, a fair chunk of those ‘famous people’ happen to be Welsh.

“It was really inspiring to see Geraint [Thomas] do so well, and everyone was really nice. Nicole Cooke was there and we went for a ride with the pros one day; she was chatting to me saying how many Welsh riders there are and that she knows where everybody has come from; that was really nice.”

But out of all of those achievements, which one gave her the most satisfaction?

If the similarities between Cooke’s early career and the steps that Elinor is taking are anything to go by she stands in good stead to reach the top.

“Being at the World Championships, the whole experience from start to finish, would have to be my highlight. It was just

“I’ve followed Nicole’s footsteps really.

We both started out at Maindy Flyers and went on to ride at Cardiff Ajax and we’ve

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both ridden for the Lifeforce team, so I’m following her path and hopefully will continue to do so.”

With the London 2012 Olympics coming around too soon for young Elinor, her sights are already set on 2014 and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“The Youth Games was a really good experience. It was great to mix with the other sports in that environment.

Everyone was really friendly and interested in each other’s sports.

“I definitely didn’t expect to come away with as many medals as I did. I thought Australia would take a lot of them but I was really proud of how well Wales did.

My family were really proud as well, they couldn’t be there but they were cheering me on at home.

“I’d love to go to the senior Games in 2014; it would be a fantastic experience.

I just need to keep training hard. There’s nothing for a while now but I’m hoping to be selected for competitions in the New Year and then the race season starts in March.”

3 56 current and former Welsh Rugby Internationals 3 16 former British Lions 3 6 former Wales Rugby captains 3 7 former National Rugby Coaches

The Cardiff School of Sport congratulates all of our students and alumni who took part in the 2011 Rugby World Cup! 3 5 Players 3 9 Performance Analysts 3 2 Strength and Conditioning Coaches 3 1 Physiotherapist To discover the names of some of our talented alumni, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZuLf4XjZd4

Nurturing elite sporting talent for 60 years‌

Angel Delight It’s been a heavenly year for cherubic Welsh gymnast Angel Romaeo, who is still on cloud nine after a flying performance launched her to gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man. Simon Grant caught up with the Cardiff teenager, on terra firma, at the Sport Wales National Centre – home of Welsh Gymnastics.

‘And up...lift those legs!’ Barks the newest addition to Welsh gymnastics’ elite coaching staff, former head coach of the German women’s gymnastics team; Dieter Koch. On cue a diminutive figure arches into a poker straight handstand before smoothly lowering tiny legs back onto the Swiss ball cradled at Dieter’s feet.

‘OK, take a break,’ he mutters and with that I’m greeted by the biggest pair of brown eyes and cheeky smile you’ve ever seen. Both of which belong to the newly crowned Commonwealth Youth Games all around champion...Angel Romaeo.

The 14-year-old Cardiff sensation, who splits her time between rigorous training with the national squad and school studies, went to the Isle of Man brimming with confidence. Just a week earlier she’d beaten all comers to become

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the Sainsbury’s UK School Games champion in Sheffield. Edging out fellow Welsh gymnasts Raer Theaker and Kiera Brennan in the process, Angel won gold in the girls all around and helped Wales to secure top spot in the competition.

But it’s that Commonwealth beating gold medal that she credits as her best achievement so far.

“It was just amazing!” she beams.

“Winning the Youth Commonwealth is just like one in a lifetime. It felt really good to beat gymnasts from New Zealand and Australia. It feels like I can do anything! Doing the Commonwealths has boosted my confidence, knowing I can do what I just did and carry on doing it until Rio 2016 when I’ll be at my peak hopefully.

It was my best result and the highest score that I’ve ever got.”

Simon Grant

pictures

Steve Pope

Brought to you in association with

Angel Romaeo

words

SW

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Angel was part of an all-conquering Team Wales that romped home with a staggering 26 medals from 31 competitors. Needless to say, the positive vibe in the Welsh camp played a big part in her success:

Although she will be too young to compete at the London 2012 Olympics (sister Venus is a hopeful), Romaeo will be eagerly watching the whole thing and is excited at the prospect of seeing her GB team mates in action on home soil.

“It was really fun and everyone was there supporting you,” she says. “If you were a bit down someone would come along and boost you back up. It was really good. There was barely anyone down and everyone had high hopes and was doing well in their competitions. Once we started winning we just carried on!”

“I’m really excited about London 2012 - watching Beth (Tweddle) and all the other girls. It’ll be nice watching all the Great Britain girls compete against every country there! GB squads are split into the older ones, the teenagers, and then the younger ones. Sometimes the coaches bring the younger ones to the older squad though, so we can learn off them. They tell us that you can’t stop when you’re doing really well; you just have to keep going and fight through everything that’s tough.”

The three times British Espoir Champion, most recently in 2010, has been a gymnast since the tender age of five. A former Welsh champion, and queen of the beam at the Northern Europeans in Finland, Romaeo was always destined for sports stardom, coming as she does from a sporting family that boasts boxing brother Romeo and older sister Venus, who is also a gymnast.

Good advice. Something that stood her in good stead after a disappointing outing at the European Youth Olympics gave her much to think about before bouncing back to form.

“It was my older brother who was trying everything, every different sport and then he liked gymnastics. When we were watching him on the sidelines, we were just like: ‘We can do this!’ Then one of the coaches brought us in and after two weeks we were training five days a week!

“The competition didn’t go so well,” she says. “I fell three times. So it wasn’t very good but after doing the Youth Commonwealths it put me back up and I knew I could do it. It made me think ‘I can’t do it again, I need to try harder.’

Then I did and I won the gold!"

“It’s nice, training and competing with Venus, because we can support each other and stuff but we’re very competitive! We’re always trying to beat each other and I’m winning at the moment! We’re all really competitive in my family. We’re like a team though and no matter who is competing we all cheer each other on.”

So how exactly does a fledgling gymnast balance the pressures of fulltime training and studying towards an equally daunting hurdle – GCSE exams, which loom on the horizon?

“We used to leave school half days but it’s changed now because we’ve got Dieter now as our new extra coach,” she chirps.

“He wanted us to train in the morning for three hours and in the afternoon for three hours. So whatever lessons we miss in the morning they’ll give us homework or we copy up after training. It’s hard work getting my brain in gear after training! I’m quite nervous about my GCSEs – I really want to get good grades. I’m trying to get As, Bs or Cs – I don’t really want lower than that!”

Clearly that competitive streak runs way beyond gymnastics but what of the future in a sport where competitors peak in their teens and are considered old by their early twenties?

“I’ll concentrate full time on gymnastics after my GCSEs and if I do go on to sixth form, or college, or uni, I’ll still manage it but I’ll do a bit more gym. I’ll carry on hopefully until 2016 and maybe 2018. It gets really hard as you get older because your bones aren’t as strong and your muscles aren’t as good as they used to be. You get taller and you’re growing a lot more. So it’s a bit harder and you lose a lot of your stuff but if you fight through it you’ll be ok.

“I’d like to be an actress but I don’t really know what else I’d be. If I don’t make it as an actress I’ll be a gym coach or a judge.”

It wouldn’t take a huge leap of imagination to picture Romaeo swapping the beam for the boards. Either way, keep an eye on your televisions because you’re going to see a lot more of this pocket rocket!

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