SportingWales Issue 20

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OLYMPIC COUNTDOWN

Welsh swimmers join the London party

Leigh's key

Halfpenny's kicking mind games

From Amazon to Arctic

Ultra-runner Lowri goes the extra miles

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Covering all of Welsh sport including rugby, football, boxing, sports injuries, squash, ultra-running, motorsport, swimming, netball, gymnastics, skiing, golf, weightlifting, sailing, sports law, athletics, yoga, canoeing, sports books.

The National Sports Magazine for Wales

SATURDAY 7 TH JULY 2012

AN YON E F O R P O LO ?

Join us for the ‘event of the season’ when Elemis Polo at the Manor returns to The Celtic Manor Resort this summer.

As well as the on-field action and hospitality, guests can also enjoy a visit to the polo village, the delights of the champagne bar and fabulous live entertainment throughout the day.

Hospitality from only £95 +VAT per person For tickets and hospitality packages, visit poloatthemanor.co.uk or call 01633 410318

The Celtic Manor Resort, Coldra Woods, The Usk Valley, South Wales

es polo match professional te • Thrilling va s and pri ity pavilion • Hospital marquees pers picnic ham • Gourmet ’s bar ne & Pimm • Champag age • Polo vill rtainment • Live ente tic Manor party at Cel ges • After polo ation packa accommod w lo il P to • Polo

04

Editor’s notes

06

Leigh Halfpenny

cover story

The key to his kicking

10

ANDREW SELBY

Ready for the Olympics

14

SPORTS INJURY CLINIC

16

TESNI EVANS

Georgia Davies

Welsh squash on the up

18

LOWRI MORGAN

Welsh swimmers qualify for the Olympics and start preparing for London 2012.

Taking the Ultra tests

24

34

MICHEL VORM

Dutch star at Swans

28

The Bigger Picture

Wales Triple Crown

30

MATT PARRY

Welsh F1 hopeful

34

GEORGIA DAVIES

Set for London 2012

36

CARA LEA MOSELEY

Welsh netball's shooting star

40

FRANKIE JONES

Andrew Selby

10

Boxer is ready to take 2012 Olympics by storm

ROBERT TAYLOR

Welsh skier with World Cup hopes

44

PRODUCT REVIEW

46

SPORTINGWALES RISING STARS

50

NEWS

58

BOOK REVIEWS

Michel Vorm

24

Swansea's 'normal' goalkeeper on life in the Premiership

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Our Partners

42

Contents

Flying the flag for Wales

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welcome to sportingwales staff and contributors

So where did you go on arguably the biggest weekend ever for Welsh sport? Was it Twickenham, Wembley, the Motorpoint Arena or even Stoke's Britannia Stadium.

There was plenty more beside, or even just a great weekend to stay rooted to the sofa – it was probably the one way of cramming everything in.

Wales won the Triple Crown at Twickenham for the first time in history, Cardiff City lost on penalties against Liverpool at Wembley, Nathan Cleverly won every single round of his world title defence while Swansea's Premiership campaign went on.

It was an incredible weekend, something for everyone, and plenty to be proud of.

Editor: Hamish Stuart hamish@sportingwales.com

Wales rugby continues to build on that World Cup success, but there is one discordant note in the drooping support for the regions.

The success of the national team is only happening because of the change to regional rugby, if there were 10 or 12 teams sharing the money and players then the standards would be nowhere near as high. Wales would not be as successful – fact!

It should not be about looking back and worrying about what is no longer there, it has to be about looking forward and concentrating on what is bringing the current wave of players and success. That means getting behind the regions.

Crowds are falling and players are departing for better offers in France, the two facts are connected and if you want to watch the best Welsh players in Wales then you have a part to play with your support.

Photography: Steve Pope steve@sportingwales.com

Equally the age old rivalry of Cardiff and Swansea football fans needs to be buried. It is increasingly clear that they need each other to be doing well, it seems to bring out the best in them.

Over he last couple of decades they have either both been mooching around the lower levels or, as they are now, both striving against the biggest clubs in the country.

Swansea's success in the Premiership is not just good for the Swans, it also seems to inspire Cardiff by adding to their determination and belief. I do not expect this to happen, but the fans of each club should look out for the results of the other hoping for a victory almost as much as they do for their own team.

Maybe this is all a bit optimistic, maybe rugby fans will still look back rather than embracing the future. Maybe football fans will continue to be fuelled by rivalry rather than logic.

Editors Message

Design: Paul P Bailey

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paul@sportingwales.com

There is plenty more than rugby and football in this edition of SportingWales, as ever there are some outstanding Welsh performers in a host of athletic pursuits that deserve our attention.

Head of Sales: Cory Richards cory@sportingwales.com

As ever, this quality product is brought to you by our quality backers. Without the advertisers and partners we would not be able to bring this to you free, so please support them as they support us.

Contributors: Gary Baker Roger Hughes Sarah Mogford Simon Grant Paul Batcup Craig Llewellyn

Please continue to get in touch with us to pass on your story ideas and feedback, through e-mail, through our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sportingwalesmagazine). or via twitter (@ sportingwales)

Contributing Photographers: Ian Cook Jon James Jakob Ebrey Zolder Sanchez Si Cox Publisher: SportingWales Managing Director: Steve Pope Accounts Manager: John Pope

If you cannot rely on getting a paper copy then subscribe online through www.sportingwales.net And here's hoping . . . hamish@sportingwales.com ©SportingWales 2012. 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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Leigh Halfpenny

Back to basics for Leigh

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SWFacts Leigh Halfpenny DOB 22nd Dec 1988 Birthplace Gorseinon Height 5ft 10in Weight 13st 5lb

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words

Hamish Stuart

pictures

Steve Pope

When Leigh Halfpenny lines up a kick for Wales, in his mind he is not in a state-of-the-art stadium in front of 70-80,000 people screaming or booing.

Mentally he is back in the more rundown surroundings of Gorseinon rugby club, for hour after hour of kicking the ball into the netting behind the posts, with Grandad Malcolm patiently sitting on a fishing box while he waits to throw the balls back for more practice.

For that explanation it is important to go back to Gorseinon, the club that produced one of the all-time great Wales and Lions full backs, Lewis Jones, where Halfpenny learned to play the game – largely under the guidance of Grandad Malcolm, a former Swansea hooker.

“When I had that kick in Dublin at the end, I did not even realise the crowd were booing until I saw the tape back later, in my mind I was taking that kick in Gorseinon as I have done so many times,” he said.

“Gorseinon is just a rugby pitch, not the best in December/January, it can get pretty boggy, with the nets behind the posts because behind that is the new Lewis Jones pub, with the changing rooms on the right,” he explained.

Halfpenny is set to be the Wales and Blues kicker for many years to come with all sorts of records spreading out to the horizon, but there are two amazing stories behind that success – firstly the background to that goalkicking record and secondly the surprise that it has taken so long for him to be thrown the ball on a regular basis.

“That is where I feel most at home and most comfortable I guess. When in Dublin, Twickenham, Cardiff, etc, I imagine I am back there. It helps me relax and concentrate on my process, without the distractions of the crowd and things.

For Halfpenny came up through the ranks as a goalkicker and full back, breaking all the records and then kicking for Wales Under 20's ahead of Dan Biggar and Jason Tovey, landing a touchline conversion to seal Wales's best ever performance in the Junior World Championship by beating France at the Liberty Stadium to reach the semi-finals.

Yes he could give it a pretty accurate whack from distance, but the major surprise for those who had seen him at those levels was how long it took for Halfpenny to take all the kicks – and given the disappointment of that final long range effort in the World Cup semi-final, how keen he was to be put under that pressure regularly.

“It also means that when you get plenty of practice slipping then it seems to come off, as it did against Scotland. It prepares you for all things, I guess.

“I am thankful to my grandfather above all because he kept me going, saying it will pay off, it will pay off. I am talking about from the age of 12,13 onwards, when I started putting in the hours.

“He kept taking me out, encouraging me rather than pushing me, to keep on with it, he took me for four or five years, he just loved being outdoors. Then I started in the Ospreys academy and got involved with Neil Jenkins, my Grandad said then that the apprenticeship was over and he could do no more.”

Patience has certainly been a virtue for Halfpenny as he came into top rugby as

a wing who took the long range kicks, before reaching his goal now as the full back and first choice kicker for the Blues and Wales.

“When I first came into the Blues they had Ben Blair at full back, taking the kicks and he was fantastic, both as a player and as someone who helped me a lot. I had to bide my time there, the touchline kicks in the Heineken Cup semi-final against Leicester showed what an outstanding player he is.

“I had to keep practising, play as well as I could on the wing and I did get a couple of chances at full back in that first season - I felt I played my best rugby there.

“With Wales there was Lee Byrne and James Hook could cover full back, they were both fantastic too, so I was pleased just to be getting the chances on the wing.

“If there was no-one to run at full back then I would try to get in there as soon as I could and the coaches knew that my earlier career in age grade had been at full back. I kept practicing my kicking from all ranges too.

“The opportunity came prior to the World Cup, against Argentina when I started on the wing and then went to full back. I thoroughly enjoyed it and said that after the game. I got my opportunity in the World Cup and thoroughly enjoyed that too.”

He changed Wales's World Cup fortunes, making the key break from the back that beat Samoa and guaranteed a quarterfinal place. Wales missed crucial kicks throughout the World Cup, including

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Halfpenny's effort from halfway against France in the semi-final which died agonisingly inches short.

just had to bide my time and wait for that opportunity which came against the Dragons this year,” he said.

It was one of the best long range efforts in the whole tournament, as players struggled with the balls and New Zealand's windy conditions, but impressively Halfpenny made no excuses for the miss. It just brought more hard work, including Christmas Day as usual in his own bit of homage to Daley Thompson.

“Now I am playing in the 15 jersey and kicking for my country, which has always been the schoolboy dream growing up. All the hard work when I was younger was driven to where I am now and that hard work never stops, you have to keep going to work your socks off.

But still Halfpenny was seen as a long range kicker only for region and country, even though logic prescribed that he would find the long range efforts easier if he was taking all the kicks. When the Blues had Ceri Sweeney as their short range kicker in one game, it did seem strange from the stand, so did he get annoyed?

“I was not frustrated at all, Ceri had kicked in the game before and done very well, so there was no way you could come in and take over because he was kicking well, he is a fantastic kicker. I

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“After the France game in the World Cup you do think 'why be a kicker' after something like that, but then the feeling after the Ireland game was just amazing – to win a game for your country having done a lot of hard work over years and years makes it worthwhile. You savour those moments.”

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards is a notoriously hard man to please, but he had this to say about Halfpenny after his desperate tackle did enough to open up Dave Strettle to other defenders when it seemed the England wing would score at the end of the Twickenham clash – which could have denied Wales the Triple

Crown.

“As a coach you try not to single out players, but I am sorry, I am going to have to single him out because I think he has been absolutely sensational,” Edwards revealed at one of the Wales press conferences.

“In all the games he has played exceptionally well, but that tackle just showed up Leigh Halfpenny's conscientious-ness in his roles and his jobs, he is a complete professional at the moment.

“Another example was when Owen Farrell chipped over the top he put a big hit in on him, then was involved in the next tackle and then ran quite a way to collect Farrell's next kick ahead which would have been a try otherwise. That shows what shape he is in and attention to detail.”

It was an attitude forged in the mud of Gorseinon rugby club – and it seems to be working pretty well.

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Andrew Selby

Splott's Rocky plots Olympic success

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words

Gary Baker

pictures

Steve Pope

When Andrew Selby works in Sheffield with the Great Britain boxing squad he may have a clinically clean, state-ofthe-art environment to hone his talent, but an old school canteen in the heart of Cardiff's suburbs is his real boxing home.

The 23-year-old flyweight from Barry, 52kg class in modern terms, is getting used to the best ahead of this summer's London Olympic Games, he uses the latest in training facilities, no cost is spared. In fact, Selby said of his new Yorkshire home, "It's the best gym I've ever seen."

In contrast to Splott Adventure Amateur Boxing Club, one of the best known names in Welsh boxing. It is no bigger than a classroom, not much in the way of heating and with a few holes in the roof here and there.

There are no cardio vascular testing machines or fancy equipment there. Just gear that helps with raising the sweat.

The heavy bags and speed bags hang from the ceiling, a ring dominates one half of the area. In case the boxers need some inspiration, as in all gyms worth their salt, posters of the classic fights and star boxers of all time hang from the walls.

This is real-life Rocky material and James Mwasigallah - Maz - who has coached

Selby since he was a child, is Splott's own version of trainer 'Mickey' from those movies.

He is essential to Selby's cause. Where the national coaches in Sheffield pass on their expert guidance on how to win Olympic medals and become a champion between Monday and Thursday, Maz crafts his star fighter, who was selected for the Games last year, from the experience of a partnership that has stretched over a decade.

Now everyone concerned with Selby, both in Splott and Sheffield, are putting the finishing touches to a boxing dream that can bring home a medal worth its weight in gold.

Selby said, "Sheffield is great but these are the toughest gyms. When you come in these places, you have to train hard just to get some heat inside you!

"It's Rocky-style. We are just looking to

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get a sponsor to get the roof sorted out."

40 minutes.

As Selby prepares for the Olympics he continues a family tradition at the Splott gym, as Maz chips in with a laugh, "He won't listen to me. His brother never, ever listened to me!"

"Then at 10.30am, we do weights for an hour and, from 3.30pm to about 5pm, we do bag work, sparring and stuff like that.

When I'm down here, I'll do about an hour-and-a-half with Maz."

That brother is Lee Selby, a British and Commonwealth professional champion who is with Welsh international boxing coach Tony Borg at the St Joseph's club in Newport.

Selby is confident that all this hard work can pay off in the London ring. As the reigning European champion as well, he came close to being the best on the planet.

"I'd like to follow in my brother's footsteps and win the British and Commonwealth titles and then go onto European and world level.

The Barry ace fought Russian Misha Aloyan in the World Amateur Championships final in Baku, Azerbaijan, last October and lost by just one point.

"I think I'd be a better pro than an amateur. Pro boxers don't throw as many punches and that is what I like to do throw them - so I can have the advantage there."

Andrew wants to eventually join his brother in the paid ranks post-London, as they both continue the family tradition in the pugilist art, following their father, also called Lee, who was a boxer in his day.

But that would mean leaving the amateuronly Splott Adventure. That, however, is in the future.

Right now, Selby, who started boxing as a seven-year-old, has had a few months to get used to the idea of fighting in the Olympics after securing his place last December.

He was involved in a best-of-three box-off with rival Khalid Yafai but, after winning the first leg comfortably, Yafai failed to make the weight for the second bout at the British Championships, giving the Welshman his Olympic place.

"It was a bit of a relief to get it. After the World Championships, everyone had time off but I knew I had to keep training to this,� said Selby, who had made his mark on the international stage by claiming a silver medal at those World Championships.

"When I found out he had pulled out of the second fight, it was a good because I could have a bit of a rest like all the other boys.

"When I'm in Sheffield, we are training three times a day and then I come home on Thursdays, then to the gym on Fridays. Up there, my schedule is we get up at 7am and go for a run, which is about half-an-hour or sportingwales

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He intends to gain revenge in London.

"Obviously, he is the main opposition because he beat me. He's number one, and Mick Conlon (Northern Ireland) is another who is dangerous. I beat him in the semifinals of the World Championships by one point and that was a really tough fight.

"I would love to say I will be on the podium in the Olympics but I do not want to be over-confident, that is when you mess up.

I think I am good enough to win the whole thing but it is on the day.

"Because I am European champion and number two in the world, I believe in myself and that I can beat anyone."

His plans are in place leading up to London but, should he achieve his ultimate dream and win a medal (preferably gold), he will become hot property on the pro circuit.

As he wrapped tape around his precious hands for another session under Maz, Selby added, "I would like to go professional but I'd have to speak to my trainers and see what they want me to do.

"You can turn pro whenever you like but, if you get a medal in the Olympics, that's when you become famous. A lot of people want to see you then and you get lots of publicity on television."

And, although he is shy about the media profile he is building - and can continue to build - he realises it is needed if he is going to make it big in boxing.

"I don't like it but it's best to have it. That's the only way that people get to know you.

The Games are the big focus for now, and the anticipation is beginning to kick into Selby..

"It is a bit pressurised now but I just don't like being on TV with the cameras."

If he comes of age in London, the man with the hands of steel will have to get used to his celebrity status.

But, for the next few months at least, he will flit between the hitech world of Sheffield and the raw base of Splott.

Hands taped and gloves, that seem strangely too big for his hands, firmly strapped on, Maz calls his prodigy into the ring for another sweaty session of sparring and, with it, the final touches of a 16-year journey for a kid who wanted to box and now stands on the edge of becoming an Olympic champion.

SWFacts Andrew Selby DOB 25th Dec 1988 Class Flyweight Rated at 52kg Stance Orthodox sportingwales

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Sports Injury Clinic Professor John Fairclough BM BS, BMed Sci, FRCS, FFSEM (UK)

'Looking after your body' has to be the core statement of all athletic pursuit. To help readers of SportingWales do just that, we have partnered with one of Wales's leading medical bodies, Spire Cardiff Hospital, to explain some of the major sports injuries. This series will help you know what to look for, how to help your body recover and - perhaps most importantly - how to prevent such injuries in the future. In this edition we focus on the knee's Anterior Cruciate Ligament or ACL, something we read about in the sports pages all too often.

What causes an ACL injury?

The mechanism of injury is usually associated with deceleration coupled with side-stepping, pivoting or awkward landings.

Spire Sports Injury Clinic

Your ACL can be injured if your knee joint is bent backward, twisted, or bent side to side. The chance of injury is higher if more than one of these movements occurs at the same time.

An ACL injury often occurs during sports when your foot is firmly planted on the ground and a sudden force hits your knee while your leg is straight or slightly bent.

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What are the symptoms of an ACL injury?

How to prevent an ACL injury

In acute injuries the knee swells up and is painful and needs urgent attention by knee specialist. Any knee which swells up after exercise needs investigation.

Athletes can reduce their risk of ACL injuries by performing training drills that require balance, power and agility. The best way to prevent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries is to stretch and strengthen the leg muscles, especially the front and back muscles of the thigh (quadriceps and hamstrings).

• Feeling or hearing a pop

• •

•

•

in the knee at the time of injury.

Pain on the outside and back of the knee.

Swelling within the first few hours of the injury maybe a sign of bleeding inside the knee joint.

Swelling that occurs suddenly is usually a sign of a serious knee injury.

Limited knee movement because of pain or swelling or both.

The knee feeling unstable, buckling, or giving out.

• Avoiding vulnerable positions • Increasing flexibility • Increasing strength • Including plyometric exercises in training • Increasing proprioception Key message:

If your knee swells up immediately or within the first hours post injury you will need to visit a sports surgeon for advice and consultation as quickly as possible.

How to find us For more detailed directions to the hospital, please visit www.spirehealthcare.com/cardiff Telephone 029 2073 5515 Fax 029 2073 5821 Email cservice-cd@spirehealthcare.com

Sporting fitness at Spire Cardiff Hospital Spire Cardiff Hospital is the official healthcare partner for Cardiff Blues Rugby

We can provide comprehensive treatment for sports injuries which will return you to fitness as quickly as possible with: • expert physiotherapists and orthopaedic consultants offering prompt diagnosis and treatment • rapid access to on-site diagnostic facilities, including MRI, CT, ultrasound and X-ray • practical advice on rehabilitation • referral to on-site consultants with expertise in dealing with athletes Whether you’re insured or not, we’re open to everyone and offer one-off private treatment with a fixed price agreed in advance.

For more information or general enquiries, call us on

029 2054 2509 www.spirecardiff.com Croescadarn Road, Pentwyn, Cardiff CF23 8XL sportingwales

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squash

Tesni tilts for the top You could say that Tesni Evans was born to play squash – taken to watch as a baby, then dragging herself round court on her bum as a toddler before being able to hit the ball properly as a small child.

Father Andrew was a former Wales squash captain, he was also Squash Wales's first director of performance and coaching, so there is no question the sport was in the DNA of young Tesni.

So perhaps it is hardly surprising she achieved her goal of becoming Welsh champion ahead of schedule at the age of 18, a year later she is on the verge of breaking into the world's top 50 having taken the plunge and become full-time.

The Prestatyn-based Evans remains ahead of schedule on all her targets, next up is the move from 55 in the world towards the top 20 who can make a reasonable living out of the game.

To put her achievements in perspective, she is already ranked higher in the world than any British lady tennis player. However there are a few strong English squash players in her sights to progress nationally and internationally, with the 2014 Commonwealth Games among the targets.

Squash in Wales took a bit of a dip after the period when David Evans (no relation) and Alex Gough were among the world's elite, but there is a new group coming through and Tesni Evans is very much part of that.

“My Dad was on the circuit so I grew up with squash,” she explained. “The family used to go along to watch so I was there when I was a baby, when

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I was three or four I used to go into the court and scraped along the floor, before playing properly from the age of six or seven.

“I started to beat people who were older and bigger than me – I suppose I still am. It was great to become national champion when I was 18 and still playing at the junior level, I was very happy with that.

“Now it is about stepping up to the next level. I played in the Nationals recently, although I lost in the first round of the main draw it was to the number six seed, who is a few years older than me and the score was 3-1. I still feel I am pushing on and doing well for my age.”

Evans was a finalist in the British Juniors last year and has gone on to win three events in Europe, in Holland Switzerland and Belgium to underline that potential on the international stage, so her first year as a professional squash player has gone pretty well.

Ladies squash is nowhere near as lucrative as sports such as tennis or golf, the prize money in tournaments ranges from around $5,000 to $100,000 at the top events.

Evans would be struggling to reach her potential without the support of Sport Wales through the Elite Cymru scheme, particularly targetting the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and Squash Wales as well as backing from Karakal

clothing, Ashway strings and Hi-Tec for her equipment.

“I wanted to go full-time and did it early while I could. I am training very hard and doing some coaching to get some money, so it is still a pretty tough week even though there is some spare time.

“I went full-time at the end of 2010 and the target was to break into the world's top 100 within the year and then the top 70. I have reached 55 so that is comfortably ahead of my targets, but the next stage of breaking into the top 50 is hard. I aim to do that by the end of the summer.

“Next up is a three week tour of North America, competing in Washington, Montreal and Toronto as I push for that next step.”

Evans has given herself another target of five or six years to break into that elite top 20 – all the evidence so far points towards her achieving that a little earlier and achieving what she was born to do.

Tesni Evans words

Hamish Stuart

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Steve Pope

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Taking Ultra to the extreme Lowri Morgan is a bit like the Duracel battery advert – she goes on and on and on, long after all the rest have stopped.

On through 350 miles of Arctic Wastes, on through pools populated by piranhas, on through swamps full of Anacondas, on to complete 62 miles home to Swansea after a 48 mile extreme run round Brecon, on through as many as 350 miles in a week. Her 'sprint finish' is the last 100 miles.

The TV presenter is an Ultra-runner, which takes her to places that few can countenance.

Marathons are not enough, double marathons are not enough, she has finished treks that former SAS soldiers cannot do – to infinity and beyond.

The question she has to deal with most often is short and to the point. “I do get asked 'Why?' a lot,” she admitted.

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Hamish Stuart

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Steve Pope

Lowri Morgan

words

extreme marathon

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Running with trench foot in the Amazon, pulling her own toenails out to reduce the pain and complete her campaign in the Arctic, standing on a hornets nest and trying to outrun the stinging revenge, even those trapped between the rucksack and her skin. So why?

you have to have faith in the organisers of the race.

getting close to finishing when there were still 70 miles to go.

“I knew I would not be the fastest, or the strongest, or the most experienced runner in the Amazon or the Arctic, but I felt I could be the best prepared.

The first explanation is a truly extraordinary one, a knee injury while playing rugby – she was in the Wales squad – that was considered so serious it put paid to her rugby career and raised questionmarks about ever being able to run again. A marathon became the target and a starting point.

“I just looked straight ahead and went for it. Ultra-running is about living on the edge, overcoming obstacles, looking into fear face-on and taking that step. These events strip your soul bare but then build it back up again because you have done it.

“Ultra-running is not about beating other people, it is about the achievement. Ultrarunners are a certain breed. The Amazon was physically difficult, the Arctic was more mental so it was the hardest one purely because of the pain.

The second explanation involves challenging the mind, going places that test beyond the limit, stripping out the soul and then putting it back together again. A session or two on a psychiatrists sofa does seem a bit simpler, but there you go.

Only six people have ever completed the 6633 Ultra, 350 miles across the Arctic dragging a 50lb sledge, Lowri was the only competitor to complete it last year. As a warm up, 140 miles in a week through the Amazonian jungle, all for TV. “It started when S4C approached me and suggested an extreme series nobody expected me to do well at all, but I am always very careful to make sure there are no advantages through being a TV presenter with the camera crew around,” she explained.

“In the Amazon it was 140 miles in a week, self-sufficient, carrying 15 kilos on your back, we had to swim through rivers full of piranhas, swamps full of anacondas and then through jungle where you could smell the jaguars.

“I never thought it a daft idea, they are dangerous but I do my research and also

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“You go to places that I do not think humans go often enough, sometimes it was very dark. You keep falling, physically and mentally, and at one point I stepped on this hornets next and was stung about 40 times, with some stuck between my rucksack and my back.

“The local advice was not to hit them because they get aggressive, so I just ran.

I was on my own, my tongue was swelling and I questioned why. I did not want to sit down because I was worried about snakes, but then I thought of just putting one foot in front of the other and kept going for 20 hours.

“I can tell you exactly the spot where the pain disappeared and my mind carried my body to the finish. Most of us experience second wind, but I experienced seventh, eighth, ninth wind, our bodies are amazing things and if you are prepared to make the sacrifice then you can achieve your ambitions.

“I had to pull my own toe-nails off to get rid of the pain because they had swollen so much.”

Both treks made TV programmes for S4C, while Lowri has plans for a bigger and better expedition in the future, without planning too much beyond that.

There is a fascinating contrast between the producer/presenter who has to shine on screen and the competitor who has to slog on alone.

“I am a very sociable person, I could talk for Wales, but I also like my own company. The camera crew knew when to stop and let me do a piece to camera and I did it as I walked past them, without stopping,” is her explanation.

The key to success was undoubtedly the training, that 110 mile run round Brecon and back to Swansea, also spending the winter cold snap sleeping in a tent in the garden.

There was also the small matter of a wedding to plan and organise between the two challenges, but – joking aside – that was the easy bit.

“I was upset after I crossed the finish line because it was only then I knew I had done it, in the Arctic my finishing straight was the last 100 miles because I knew then I could get there because of all the training.

“The worst bit was the hallucinations.

At one point I went to sit down on some park benches beside the road in the Arctic that were not really there, I even took off my backpack,” she remembered.

“I rang the family and told them I was

“The best bit was the people you meet,

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what you find out about yourself and the sense of personal achievement. I am very fortunate to have these experiences and I appreciate that.

“In the Arctic I felt as though I was the only person alive because you just do not see people. You learn a lot about yourself.

It teaches you how to overcome fear, to believe in yourself, how amazing the body and mind are, and how far you can push yourself.

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“I have been fortunate with the knee after that rugby injury, I have to be careful of my back after spending 18 months training with 15 kilos on my back. I like to think I am looking after myself even though many people think I am not.

“If I had not had the accident with my knee, then would I have had the hunger to do extreme running? I just do not know.

“Over the last three years I ran 7,000 miles, just to get to the start line in the

Arctic was a personal achievement.”

So what next, is there anything that can top such experiences and challenges?

“I tell people I'm from Wales and they always say you live in the playground of Ultra-runners, so I would like to do something in Wales because we have such beautiful natural surroundings.” It seems there is no stopping this remarkable woman.

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

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football

Vorm takes Premiership by storm

words

Roger Hughes

pictures

Steve Pope

Tall, beefy and extrovert, the stereotype which could be applied to most top football goalkeepers, but the description does not sit comfortably with Swansea`s Dutch stopper Michel Vorm.

“I am probably the smallest goalkeeper in the Premier League, I am not sure,” he said standing at six foot, and thirteen stone. As for being an extrovert, “No, I am easy going and I have even heard one or two of the guys say that I was the first time they had met a normal goalkeeper, so that is a compliment.”

There have been quite a few other compliments this season, mixed along with many muttered expletives from opposition managers. Kenny Dalglish is among those with most reason to rue the Dutch international's skills and all debates about the best Premiership goalkeeper this season have included his name prominently.

Vorm's debut was also Swansea's debut in the Premier League, and the fixture computer handed them about the toughest task possible - away to Manchester City's global stars. Swansea lost four nil, but for the performance their new Dutch goalkeeper it could have been double that total.

“I was thinking I hope every match is not like this otherwise we have a problem. I really didn`t know what to expect, but I could see the quality we had and I think it is the only match so far where we really got killed,” he remembered.

“Of course I make some important saves but there have also been some matches where I did not have to make

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many saves because the organisation is good, that is the secret to it. Also to analyse the opponents and a lot of that is down to the manager. We have had some matches when we drew and I knew, OK, that was because of my saves.”

With some of the major clubs having goalkeeping problems, Vorm was being linked with Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, anyone bigger than Swansea.

If ever a goalkeeper won his side a point it was in the game against Liverpool at Anfield. Vorm was outstanding and it was after this match that he began to be talked about as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.

“The whole atmosphere, the way we played, the way they played, the crowd, it is an amazing stadium to play in, and it was our first away point at one of the big teams.” recalled the goalkeeper.

“My feeling is very important and my feeling is very good at Swansea. I am not a type of player to swop teams often in my career. Nobody has come up to the chairman and said that we want Michel Vorm, so there is nothing for me to think about.

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“I am enjoying my time so much at Swansea and for me I like to work with Brendan Rodgers a lot. Also there are not a lot of teams in the Premier League who play in a way that suits me.

“As I was being congratulated on becoming a father by all the players, the manager came up and said 'Michel we have a surprise for you, tonight you fly back to Holland to see your son.'

“Of course you try to play at the highest level possible so if some of the biggest clubs are interested in me then I would have to think about it, but it is not an issue for me as I really enjoy Swansea and what Swansea gave me, I am not going to change that because I can earn more money.

“So I flew twenty two hours there and back to see my son. It was fantastic. 2010 was the best year in my life.

“After my first season with Utrecht, when I had kept seventeen clean sheets, people asked where I was going and I stayed for five years. For me my feelings are very important.”

2010 was a very special year which gave him not only his most treasured footballing possession, a World Cup runners-up medal, but also a son.

“We were almost ready for our first match against Denmark and I was on Skype with my girlfriend,” he explained.

“She suddenly said 'I think my waters broke!'

“The World cup was something special.

The whole focus on every game, I was like in a bubble for five or six weeks, and when I came home I was sick because the whole thing was so intense.

“In the semi-final Maarten Stekelenburg complained of a pain in his side and I was told to warm up, I thought this is my chance, but he stayed on.”

Swansea players and the supporters are now anticipating that Swansea will survive for at least another season in the Premier League. For their goalkeeper there is no doubt that they will remain amongst the elite of British football. “We will stay up for sure. The way we play and we are getting better, we will get the points and there is no doubt that we will stay up.”

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TWICKERS VICTORS Wales clinched the Triple crown at Twickenham for the first time in their history, with replacement centre Scott Williams scoring the match-winning try.

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British dri v ers mak ing it to Formula On e are incre asingly few and fa r between, and Welsh dri ve rs gett ing e v en a snif f of the big time ev en rarer than that, w hich only a dd s to the e x pe ctation on rising Cardif f tale nt Matt hew Parr y.

That succes s, plus a stu nning secon World Final d in the Ro s in Egypt, ta x gave P arry single -se ater access to s but, altho ugh he test Renault e ar ed Formula ly in 2010 , G C SE s loom horizon pro ing on the mpted him to concentr one that go ate on ‘t he t aw ay ’, wit h a Super 1 focus for his campaign th final ye ar in e k ar ts.

Matt Parry

“I enjoyed my time in Formula K ar winning it w t St ar s, and as brilliant, but the com school and mit ment to my GC SE ye ar prevente doing it ag ai d me from n ,” P arry co nfirms, adm he w as alw it ting that ays optimis tic that he the most im could comb port ant ye ar ine of his educa another stro tion wit h ng run on -t rack , “O f co second in th urse , comin e world fin g als w as alw a massive co ays going to nfidence bo b e o st main rivals and , wit h o in the Junio n e o f my r champion to seniors , ship moving I felt like I h up ad a very go winning Sup od chance o er 1.” f Confidence doesn’t app e ar to be so P arry lack s, met hing whet her it is approach long assault ing a se ason on a nation al title or ca through a co rving his w ay mpetitive M ax proved wit field – an ab h regularity ility he during his 2 campaigns – 0 0 8 and ’09 and he insist s that being wit h the pre saddled -se ason favo urite tag sim into his han ply played ds.

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The late To m Pryce w as the last Wel to gr ace gr shman and prix ra cing, and his cut short by time w as a tr agic acci dent at the South Afric 197 7 an G P. Since then , other Principalit y s from the have tried to follow in his – the likes of Tim D av footste ps ies, Julian W and , more re estwood cently, Hyw el Lloyd hav progress cl e all made imbing the single -se ater wit hout ever ladder having the w herewit hal to the top flight – and to gr adu ate P arry is the prospec t to latest bre ak out o f k ar ting.

W hen the re igning Super 1 that he wou ld race Form champion announced ula Ford in ste pped up 2011, he wit h no sm all degree o on his shou f expec tatio lder s but, if n there w as an equipped to yone de al wit h it , it w as the old. then 16 -ye ar “It made m e more con fident, if an th at ever yone yt hing, k no The past co thought I w wing uple of se as as favourite h e cl o ai n m s establish him s, “O bviousl have seen P to win ,” arry y, self at the ve th er p e w as a lit tl ressure to ry front of B ritish k ar ti e bit of win and succ the ng scene , fl eed when ev said I should ourishing in Carr R acin er yone do but, if an the P aul g environm yt hing, it ga confidence ent af ter firs national co ve me more .” t tasting mpetition as a privateer He could h in ave b 20 07.

Remaining for his Minim een a contender in 20 wit h P C R re 0 8 , only ax se ason to moved ano o bst acle to su no fault of unravel thro ther potenti ccess, and P his own , bu u al gh arry ’s exper sh o t n p e roved that th running per ro u ience gh as he went his frontformances, back titles on to cl aim in a campai yielded thir in the U K’s back-to gn which st d overall, w two pre mie ill A gain , he le ere no fluke immediately r competitio d from the as he gelled wit h P C R in ns. front, the ability to 20 09. shrug off pre but had to call on ss se u as re o n af blip. Variou Despite bei ter a mid s theories w ng a rook ie se arch of an in Junior Ro ere suggeste podium regu ex p la ta d in n x , he w as a ation for th lar in S1 an refused to e slump, bu d crushed th field at Sosn blame any o t P e Euromax arry ova in the C ne thing in while the p ze he would u par ticular an ressure to ltimately hav ch Re public . However d, ra ise his game told on less , e to sett le and fourt h may have er drivers , for second overall in th th e positively to Welshman ose compet the B ernie re ac ted the challen ition Ecclestone -s ge . upported Fo s, le aving St ar s as his rmula K ar t main opport “Obviously, unit y for su topped the the GC SE s ccess. He st andings af were somet n ever get ou te r to be a le ad round one , hing I could t of my min he’d never and it w as d - it is one most import lose , wit h w the round th o f the an t h ti it m ew ree and fou es of your lif ashes in need those r double -he e bec ause yo ce ment the gr ades - bu ader s helpin title . u t I felt confi schoolwork g dent in my , and the ex ams ac tu ally provided

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motor racing

Matt Parry

: Learning C

urve

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Craig Llewel

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Jakob Ebrey

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something of a retreat to get away from the pressure [of karting],” he noted, “Towards the end of the season, we cut off all the single-seater testing to focus on the championship, but we always felt that our time in karting had finished, that it was time to move on to bigger and better things and try to become a professional racing driver.

Despite stepping up for his first season in cars, Parry could not avoid a certain weight of expectation, not least because national racing magazine Motorsport News ranked him number one on its annual Fast 50 list of rising talents. Clearly aware of the learning curve he faced, the youngster was nevertheless grateful to have had his ability recognised.

“Topping the Fast 50 poll gave me a similar feeling to when I went into S1, and it’s definitely a confidence boost, rather than any extra pressure,” he claimed, “Despite that, the aim was still to get podiums and show realistic potential for winning the Formula Ford championship in 2012.”

If the Motorsport News accolade was not enough, however, Parry was also included as the only Briton on the driver development programme run by ambitious F1 operation Team Lotus and sponsor AirAsia. The long-term deal provides both stability and opportunity, allowing him to benefit from the experience within the F1 team and its sister GP2 operation, while being guided through the formative years of his single-seater career.

“The chance to link up with Team Lotus is fantastic,” Parry admitted, “It is not the sort of opportunity that comes along every day, and I am very fortunate that Team Lotus and AirAsia have decided that I am worth backing. I am looking forward to making full use of the experience and facilities on offer to me as I continue to make the transition from karts to cars.”

Although the involvement is scheduled to run over a number of years, the pressure to succeed and improve will be everpresent if Parry is to progress up the single-seater ladder with the programme.

Likewise, his subsequent inclusion on Sport Wales’ Elite Cymru scheme

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Despite not quite achieving his stated pre-season aim of standing on the podium, he finished fourth on three separate occasions and fifth on four more, despite the Fluid Motorsport Developments Van Diemen which he was obliged to run by the AirAsia Team Lotus scheme being “It’s great news that Sport Wales has massively out-numbered by the superior recognised my potential and decided Mygale chassis and Parry himself having to back me in my efforts to climb the the least experience of the frontrunners. motorsport ladder,” he commented, While a top five championship finish also “Obviously, it has helped being among the few Welsh drivers making the headlines, but eluded him, the Welshman ended the year I am honoured to have been included on the as the best rookie in the series and will Elite Cymru scheme along with some of the be able to build on a sometimes trying biggest names in Welsh sport. The support season in whatever category he contests will make a big difference to my career, and in 2012.

I will do everything I can to justify Sport “The 2011 campaign was always going to Wales’ faith in me.” be a massive learning curve, and it was Education has also not been forsaken in his tough being the only Van Diemen driver quest to make it to the top and, in addition in the field for most of the year, as we to attending the local college, the youngster, were ploughing a lone furrow in terms of developing the car,” Parry lamented, who would admit that he is not a natural “That meant that we didn’t always get scholar, also makes monthly trips to the renowned sporting centre at Loughborough the best out of it in qualifying and that, in turn, made our task in the races that where, having been selected for the much tougher.

Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence, he will learn about nutrition, “Of course, there were a handful personal training, working with the media and other aspects that bring an F1 driver to of rookie mistakes too, notably at Snetterton when a podium finish may have the track. been possible, but there were also enough bright spots to suggest that, with a year of For now, however, being ‘an F1 driver’ is still a long way off, although Parry can draw experience under my belt, I can hope for better next season. “ a modicum of encouragement from his maiden single-seater campaign, which took in both the UK and Eurocup Formula Ford competitions. requires the 17-year old to meet minimum agreed performance standard and continue to progress his career in a positive manner, but Parry remains confident that he can justify his position.

Georgia Davies

swimming

Georgia to go backstroke to London

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words

Paul Batcup

pictures

Steve Pope

It was 60 seconds that 21 year-old Georgia Davies had dared to dream about.

But her dream of swimming at this summer’s Olympics has become a firm reality for the law student who has now graduated to the big time.

The Swansea swimmer became one of six of the Welsh contingent to quality for Team GB in London 2012.

In doing so, she and her fellow swimmers helped more than double the number of Principality athletes on the Olympic squad to seven.

With class competition in her preferred 100m backstroke event, including world record holder Gemma Spofforth and Lizzie Simmonds, Davies knew she would have to go some to make the top two.

And in the tightest of finals, she managed to break the domination of the English duo.

Her time of 1:00.21 giving her the silver, just ahead of Simmonds who finished in 1:00.43, and just behind the giant Spofforth who touched home in 1:00.19.

“I was so happy, I didn't know what to say in the interviews afterwards I was so excited,” said Davies.

“My emotions had been so up and down.

I had been so nervous leading up to meet, but also confident because my training had been going really well.

“Then after my heat swim didn't go so well I was quite upset and even more nervous, and confused.

“But then I got back to my usual self by the semi and improved again in the final.

“I'm so ecstatic at making the Olympic team. It has always been my dream, and realising that I have achieved that is such an overwhelming feeling. I could hardly sleep.

“I didn't actually go as fast as I had hoped or expected. I think in this kind of situation there is so much at stake that it’s not so

much about times but more about getting in and racing the other girls.

“The whole race was a bit of a blur. I was nervous before the race but confident in my ability. I just tried to focus on myself and what I could control.

“I had to grit my teeth coming in to the final few metres. I could see splashes from the lanes next to me but I wasn't sure what my position was. When I saw the board saying I had got second and also gained the qualification time, I was so shocked and happy. I looked for my parents in the crowd but I couldn't see them. I knew they would be so happy for me.

“My phone was going nuts with texts and emails and calls from friends and family.

Everyone has been so supportive leading up to this, and equally as enthusiastic in congratulating me.

“Bud (coach Bud McAllister) was relieved and thrilled for me. He said I couldn't have been any more prepared. He was quite emotional.

“It’ll be back to some hard work to be prepared for the summer. I want to get back to swimming under 60 seconds like last summer.”

With the grind of early morning training and around five hours a day in the pool, making the selection for the Olympics and Paralympics is one of the stellar moments in a swimmer’s career.

A star at junior and youth level, Penarth teenager Ieuan Lloyd is another who impressed the swimming world with his performances at the British Gas British Swimming Championships.

Finishing in a silver medal position in the 200m freestyle, Lloyd has qualified for Britian’s 4x200m relay team.

Although he didn’t quite make the individual

qualification time, he will have a second chance to secure an unclaimed spot in the 200 and 400m freestyle events. A second top-up selection trials takes place in Sheffield in June.

But Lloyd is already making waves after announcing himself on the senior stage.

After qualifying he said; “I’m just over the moon. To think that I’ve made the team and I’ll be going to the Olympics is such a great feeling.

“I made a good time in the semi and I was quite relaxed thinking that if I could put in the same performance again I could make it.

“When I walked out to poolside and they called my name it was an unbelievable feeling. The nerves kicked in a bit.

“On that last length I could see people around me and I gave it everything – my legs were burning.

“Then I turned around and saw I didn’t make the individual qualifying time. My dad had been telling me before the race that I had to come in the top four for a relay place but I wasn’t sure. But I’m glad he was right.

“I’ve had so many text messages and facebook messages. As soon as I was replying to one I had another one through.

“It’s been such an amazing experience this week.”

After the disappointment of finishing 3rd missing out on a place in the 100m butterfly, Jemma Lowe picked herself up for a strong display in the 200m distance and seal her Olympic place.

For the Paralympic Games, Wales will hope to continue its impressive recent swimming record, with genuine medal hopes in Rhiannon Henry and Nyree Kindred.

Double Olympic medallist David Davies qualified in the 1500m freestyle and will add significant experience to Team GB. sportingwales

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Shooting Star A decision to reduce the number of teams competing in the FIAT Netball Superleague last summer, left Wales’ only representatives, the Celtic Dragons, with a nail-biting wait to see whether they would continue to compete with the cream of the netballing crop in the UK. With their place confirmed as one of the eight successful teams, Sarah Mogford caught up with star shooter, Cara Lea Moseley, as the squad

Cara Lea Moseley

began their assault on the 2012 season; more determined than ever.

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“Last season we really started to show other teams what we are capable of, and that we’ve arrived. We don’t want to be seen as the underdogs anymore, or the ones with all the potential. The intention for the season is to be competing week in week out and getting good wins to see us in a different half of the table.

We want to be competing for one of the top four spots in the league.”

And with a sixth place finish last year, the Dragons are certainly heading in the right direction, but as Blackwood’s Cara explains, nothing can be taken for granted in this competition.

“In this league you can never really say who the favourites are. It changes from year to year with players coming in and out of certain franchises and it’s reached a level now where

you don’t get an easy game. They’re all very tough competitors with top class players and brilliant coaches behind them; it’s always a massive challenge every week but it’s the most enjoyable league to play in because of that.”

Talking of ‘brilliant coaches’, the Celtic Dragons have had super coach Melissa Hyndman behind them for the past few seasons, and the affect she’s had has been notable.

“Melissa has had a huge influence on the team, especially in terms of our general conditioning.

The first thing she said when she came over is that we were a relatively fit bunch but that we weren’t fit enough. She altered our conditioning programmes, how much we were doing and that sort of thing, so we now spend a lot more time in the gym. She’s very passionate about netball so that obviously tips over into the team.”

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It is either passion for the game, or an uncanny resemblance to superwoman that allows Cara to juggle a challenging full-time career within an NHS sexual referral centre with almost weekly Superleague games and a packed training and conditioning schedule.

“It is really difficult to juggle everything but I think because sport has always been a part of my lifestyle you just develop your own way of coping with it. My job can be really emotionally challenging so I’m lucky in the sense that I can use netball as my escape, and not bring my work home. I’ll train before I go to work and have squad sessions in the evenings.

My annual leave is taken up on netball tours or games away, but it’s just a way of life for me.”

And a way of life it most certainly is. The daughter of Welsh rugby international Kevin Moseley, a young Cara was used to travelling the country in the name of sport.

“Growing up my dad was always my idol. I was really young when he played for Wales so I didn’t really

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see that side of it but we moved around the country with him and his rugby so I grew up watching him train and playing lots of competitive rugby. I guess you could say I was born into that way of life!”

With netball constantly battling against the likes of rugby and football to clinch those sought after back page headlines, it’s no wonder it comes as a source of frustration to such dedicated sportswomen as Cara that coverage falls down the pecking order.

“You do feel a little envious that we don’t have the same status and support in netball than perhaps other sports like rugby and football. It’s hard to compete, play and keep up with sports that are professional whilst also working full time.”

“As soon as somebody comes to actually see us play, the feedback we all get is that they really enjoy it and that they’re surprised at the level of performance. I think we’re always going to fall into that stereotype of it being a school girls sport and the image that comes with that, but

it’s very different now. The girls that play are extremely fit and in good condition and the level is so much higher than ever before, just the general skill level is far beyond what people imagine.”

With the Celtic Dragons season in full swing you could forgive 24 year-old Cara for being single-minded in her focus, but her Wales career is never too far from her thoughts.

“The Sky coverage for the Superleague and Fastnet is helping boost the numbers watching, and we had a near sell out for our first home game this season, so hopefully it’s just a matter of time.”

“One of my ultimate ambitions is to compete for Wales at a Commonwealth Games. As soon as we realised we’d lost out in 2010 it became our objective for the next four years. Since then we’ve been trying to get games under our belt, improve our ranking and try to get as much match fitness and other preparation as possible.

And it’s Fastnet that has been grabbing the headlines over recent months; described as the equivalent to cricket’s twenty20 tournament.

“It’s extremely tactical and it’s hard to keep a track on things as you’ve got rolling subs so you really have to have your wits about you and be in the moment to keep track of who’s coming on and who’s coming off and if they change the tactics and things. It’s only six minutes per quarter, but it doesn’t feel like six minutes! It’s hard going but it’s a really good game and it’s obviously boosting the level of interest in the sport. It’s a good introduction to the game.”

“We’ve still got a long way to go I think, but recently we’ve gone up to 11th, which is the position we need to be at to qualify, so if we can go up a couple more places to be in a safer position then hopefully we’ll be doing Wales proud in Glasgow 2014.”

Already following in her father’s footsteps, Cara has 30 Welsh caps to her name and for someone ‘who always wanted more for herself’ you wouldn’t bet against seeing her shooting and scoring for Wales in just over two years’ time at the Commonwealth Games.

Brought to you in association with

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Rhythm is a Dancer side of the border for many years.

Five times British Champion and Commonwealth Games silver medalist, rhythmic gymnast Frankie Jones will be Great Britain’s only individual rhythmic competitor at the London 2012 Olympics. Simon Grant caught up with the British Number One, and her Welsh Gymnastics mentor Jo Coombs, to find out how she feels about flying the flag for Wales at London 2012.

dreams alive. That belief paid off in some style for Wales at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

It takes determination to make it to the top of any sport. Frankie Jones has it in spades. In 2009 her funding was stopped

by UK Sport, leading to an abrupt end to her two year stint at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall. British Gymnastics were able to temporarily support Jones but her long odds of medalling in London meant that funding dried up too.

The former pupil of Sir Christopher Hatton School in Wellingborough started gymnastics as a hobby and has now been competing in rhythmic gymnastics since the age of nine, when she switched from the Artistic discipline. Now training in Birmingham, her family originate from Neath and as such Jones has been quick to thank Welsh Gymnastics and Sport Wales for their support.

Jones says: “I went back to Bulgaria, for six weeks, for full time coaching. My normal day involved six to seven hours of training, sometimes more. Generally I had one day off a week to relax.”

Jo Coombs is Head of Performance and Excellence at Welsh Gymnastics and has been nurturing Jones’ career from this

“Savina Gancheva coached Frankie at the Bulgarian National Sports Academy and she is a vastly experienced coach who has trained some of our previous Olympians.

We at Welsh Gymnastics made that link and Sport Wales helped us to make that happen.”

Recognising Jones’ longer term potential to win Commonwealth Games medals, Sport Wales stepped into the breach to lend a helping hand to keep her Olympic

Brought to you in association with

After finishing fourth in the individual all-around, Jones qualified for all four apparatus events. She narrowly missed out on bronze medals in the rope and in the ball and finished sixth in the ribbon.

But it was the hoop that gave Frankie her silver medal and helped Team Wales to secure 19 medals.

Fast forward to 2012 and Jones was back in action at the Olympic Test Event in January. Despite what she cites as a ‘disappointing’ performance and the heartbreak of seeing her team compatriots apparently losing out on a place at the Games (a decision that was later overturned after an appeal), Jones was looking on the bright side personally.

“I was disappointed with my own performance because I could have been better. But it was good for getting used to the atmosphere and the carpets,” says the softly spoken 21-year-old.

She says: “We (Welsh Gymnastics) try to ensure that Frankie gets everything that she needs. If she has an issue she calls me because I’ve worked closely with her on a Welsh basis. So we try to make sure we support her as much as possible and find the revenue needed to support her.

“Sport Wales recognised that Frankie is a 2014 (Glasgow Commonwealth Games) hopeful, so have supported financially, including Talent Cymru funding, and with Support Services from the Welsh Institute (including sports science and medicine) as part of the package.”

Now Jones has her sights firmly set on London 2012 for real.

Her season has only just begun, so it’s still too early to tell just how much of an impact she can have, but that determined streak was called upon again during a rigorous six week training camp in Bulgaria at the end of January.

Coombs adds: “Frankie’s still got a lot of hard work ahead of her and hopefully that will all take her form in an upward direction.

Jones will face stern opposition from the

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dominant Eastern European nations, especially Russia, in London but the experience of competing on home soil will certainly be one to savour.

“It’s quite daunting as I don’t want to let anyone down and I just want to look as good as I can,” she says.

“It’s going to be an amazing honour to be around the Eastern Europeans. The atmosphere will really boost me and I just want to enjoy the experience, give my best performance and do people proud.”

Coombs agrees that the Eastern Europeans will be the ones to beat but adds that the experience of a home Games will do wonders for Frankie’s experience levels and the profile of rhythmic gymnastics in general.

She says: “It’s a home Games, so this experience is going to be once in a lifetime. It also makes Rhythmic Gymnastics more prominent. Having a GB gymnast involved will make it more interesting for supporters and helps to grow the sport.

“To break the Eastern European hold on the sport is going to be tough. But Wales has produced the current senior and junior British Champions (Laura Halford).

The secret to that success is the support that we have in our close community of Welsh Gymnastics.

We tend to work closely and utilise the small batch of people committed to Wales on both sides of the border.”

Maybe one day we might dare to dream of a Welshborn rhythmic gymnastics Olympic champion. For now, let’s get behind Frankie and make sure London 2012 is an unforgettable experience for her in an already illustrious career. gymnastics

Frankie Jones

“Getting onto a level footing with Artistic is not something that will happen in the next Olympic cycle.

In eight to ten years’ time we hope Rhythmic can be more prominent. It’s already being recognised more now. So our legacy for 2012 is building the sport’s profile both in the UK and internationally.

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Gary Baker

Robert Taylor

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Si Cox

From ice cream to snow dream Skiing on the slopes of Colorado, USA, is a long way from the ice cream vans and dodgems of Barry Island but Robert Taylor has a very special reason for reaching to the sky in this high-octane, glittering world.

Taylor, a 27-year-old from the Vale of Glamorgan town, is living the dream after getting a golden call last Autumn to join the Great Britain squad and, with it, the chance to mix with the pros of the World Cup. He is a freestyle skier, specialising in the half-pipe and has ambitions of becoming one of the few Welsh athletes to take part in the Winter Olympics.

Whatever he achieves in the coming years, however, it will all be dedicated to his late brother Richard who died painfully young in a horrific, freak accident..

Richard Taylor died while out rollerboarding when he hit a post at full speed.

On a smaller scale, Robert has had other pain, this time physical. He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee before he then broke his shoulder.

Those injuries put paid to his skiing for two solid years from 2009, but he fought back and, with Richard's spirit driving him on, Robert has now joined the World Cup freestyle half-pipe circuit.

While other big guns competing there, like Canada's Michael Kingsbury and Switzerland's Alex Fiva, are professionals and get paid handsomely for their efforts, Taylor has to pay his own way.

"I'm working for a gardening company when I'm home in Barry. I had been working all through last summer so I can save up and come to the best places like here in Colorado to train,” he said.

"I was living like a bum back home but now I'm here with all the top guys and it is worth it!

"Skiing came from my brother Richard," said Taylor from his camp in Colorado.

"I was injured for two years but, before that happened, Simon Ashton (British Freestyle Ski Squad Manager) and Pat Sharples (of British Freestyle Skiing) were keen to get me on the team because they had seen me ski.

"He was a very talented roller-boarder but he passed away when he was 23. If it was not for him, I would never have been doing this."

"So I heard in October that they wanted me on the team and I came out in November. Now it's just all about working hard and being involved."

Taylor made his World Cup half-pipe

debut on December 9 at Cooper Mountain in the wonderfully picturesque Rocky Mountains of Oregon, USA, and finished 57th out of 69 starters.

He was one of only two Brits in that particular half-pipe competition, with Edinburgh's Murray Buchan, a comparative veteran of freestyle despite being only 20, finishing 26th.

Taylor added, "This is my first time over in America. I've had that one competition and I've got another before I get back to Britain. Then it is training some more in Europe.

"I've had great support from the team.

There are five or six of us in the half-pipe squad and nine of us altogether in the GB team itself.

"Now my goal is to get to the Olympics in 2014 in Sochi, Russia, so next year I will be following the Olympic circuit with everyone else. There are quite a lot of other people out here doing that already because they have the best facilities.

"It's the best shaped half-pipe around and all the top guys came out there before going to the Winter X Games in Aspen."

Now he hopes that the days of being the Lawnmower Man back in Barry as a gardener are numbered and his pro skiing career is, like the tricks he has to perform in the dazzling, high-flying, daredevil world of freestyle, going to take off.

When it does, Taylor will be certainly have the spirit of his brother with him.

Robert said, "He was - and still is - my inspiration."

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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Ultimate Softshell Running Jacket When the ashmei Ultimate Softshell jacket first arrived on my desk, it came in a very presentable bag to protect the jacket from the outside world, which really underpins what the jacket is about; protecting the user from the outside elements whilst out running. On opening the bag, the jacket didn't fail to impress. In all honesty, it looked far to good to be a running jacket. However, did it live up to it's reputation of the finest performance running apparel in the world ?

Product Review

ashmei’s Ultimate Men’s Soft Shell running jacket was developed as the perfect choice for typical winter running and offers the ultimate performance and protection from the elements. The test took place on a rainy, muggy morning. When running in this type of weather some jackets can become heavy and a hindrance to performance. The Ultimate softshell didn't. It kept me warm but still remained waterproof, light and breathable, which are three key attributes I look for in running clothing.

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This jacket has been tailored to fit the runner’s profile, with the entire back panel being made from an extremely breathable fast wicking stretch merino material, which allows a closer fitting jacket to eliminate excess fabric that adds extra weight and flaps in the wind. The manufacturer states: "This merino stretch material was selected for its ability to wick moisture build up away from the body to keep the wearer dry and comfortable and maintain body temperature." This is surely what every jacket used for fitness or outdoor activity should now It is placed in the back, side panels and underarms of the jacket, as these areas do not need to be windproof and allows the maximum breathability for the jacket.

Available in Black or White.

RRP £180

For further information please visit www.ashmei.com

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Cory Richards

Rhys ready for mind games

Dr Bob Rotella is one of the top 'mind coaches' in golf, time with him is worth a fortune for any established or up-andcoming golfer and Welsh prodigy Rhys Pugh was lucky enough to get the chance to meet him. sportingwales

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The opportunity was arranged at his new university in America, East Tennessee, and a sign of how they US College system leaves few stones unturned in trying to turn out the top future players on the planet.

Time was tightly allocated with the man who wrote the world's best-selling golf psychology book, precious half hour slots to talk to someone who spent days with the likes of Major winners Padraig Harrington and Trevor Immelman before their successes.

Walker Cup star Pugh is just the sort of golfer tipped for future professional

stardom for whom this grooming system is designed. But he was in and out of the meeting in just a couple of minutes.

That was not a sign of disrespect, but a sign of how the man generally accepted as the golfing world's top mind coach had nothing he needed to coach the Pontypridd golfer.

Rotella's teaching is giving players ways and means of staying in the moment, concentrating on their next shot rather than the end result, opponent or the crowds. He helped Immelman reach the final green at Augusta without realising

words

Hamish Stuart

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Steve Pope

golf

He helped Padraig Harrington focus on getting a double bogey to get into a play-off and win his first Open Championship at Carnoustie, rather than focussing on the two shots into the water that put him in trouble.

It was the sort of coaching that would be designed to help a player facing a birdie barrage in their first major exposure on the international golfing stage, such as a debut Walker Cup match against a highly fancied opponent who starts with five straight birdies, then a sixth in the first seven holes.

That's what happened to Pugh in his Walker Cup debut last year, in a match against Patrick Rodgers, and fortunately captain Nigel Edwards knew the Welsh player's mindset as well as anyone having watched him come up through the ranks as the Golf Union of Wales director of performance and coaching and playing with him as a fellow Wales international.

“I just went up to Rhys and asked if he was OK. He said he was fine so I left him to it. He went on to turn the match around and win, I had every confidence he could do that,” remembers Edwards.

“Despite all those birdies he was only three down after the first seven holes, so he was obviously playing pretty well himself.”

Pugh is one of those quietly spoken sportsmen who lets his actions do the talking. However that is partly

because he simply does not see the complications that others do, to him golf is a very simple game.

That Walker Cup success in Royal Aberdeen, live on the BBC and in America, propelled him to new levels in the game, after entering the event as an unheralded 17-year-old, up against some of the stars of the international amateur game. Pugh went on to win three from three after being left out of the first morning's matches as Edwards looked to minimise the pressure.

“It was a blur really, the whole thing,” commented Pugh. “It was a little bit disappointing not playing in the morning, but the singles in the afternoon were incredible, especially Patrick Rodgers birdying the first five holes which I did not expect – especially not on that golf course.

“I just stuck to my own game and won in the end. I just stick to my process like I have all my career I suppose, staying patient. I knew the back nine would be really tough into the wind so as long as I could get back to one or two down then I would have a chance to win.

“I just try to keep level-headed and play down everything, so it is not up in the air. I will definitely finish my degree, but then I will be preparing myself for a professional career.”

His family reveal that part of that concentration comes from an early age when they would try to put him under pressure on their way round Pontypridd golf club, imagining different challenges and situations those little games certainly seem to

have worked.

Edwards uses the story about Rotella to illustrate why he had so much confidence in Pugh. “Bob Rotella asked Rhys what he thinks about when he approaches a shot,” explained Edwards.

“Rhys explained he thought about where he wanted to hit the ball, then went up to it and hit it. There isn't really anything to add to that, so he was in and out of the meeting in no time.

“I have been lucky enough to play with Rhys as well as watching his progress coming up through the Welsh ranks as the youngest player ever to win a senior event, the youngest ever Wales international and so on.

“He has a really good game, but his greatest strength is his mental approach, keeping it simple and that should stand him in good stead for when he moves into the professional ranks. As Walker Cup captain I hope that will not be for a while, but I am sure he will do well when he does.”

Pugh was a natural to receive one of the monthly SportingWales Rising Star Awards, in association with Sport Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the Village Hotel group. “It is always great to receive awards like this as a recognition of your talent,” he said.

Rotella and others make millions trying to get the top players to think like Pugh. That has result in great expectations for an exciting future, but he is just getting on with staying in the present – just like his golf.

Rhys Pugh

he had a three shot lead over Tiger Woods to win the Masters.

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Little and large size up success

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Hamish Stuart

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They may be the little and large of Welsh sport, but the towering weightlifter and the lithe gymnast have both announced their arrival on the international scene to mark themselves out as having Olympic potential. sportingwales

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They may be united in talent and also both have claimed Commonwealth crowns in the last few months, but there the similarity ends between dainty gymnast Angel, 4'6” and six stone, while powerhouse Darius is around 6'7” and 18 stone.

They also got into their sport in different ways, Angel having started young and followed in the cartwheeling footsteps of her older sister Venus who is also a GB international gymnast.

Jokarzadeh has only recently stumbled across weightlifting after trying out rugby and rowing, in fact you could say that he sank into the sport.

“I have always been strong so I did give weightlifting some thought when I was younger, but I never had the contacts to go into it,” he said, at the SportingWales Rising Star Awards lunch at Cardiff's Village Hotel.

“When I went into rowing it opened up a lot of opportunities and weightlifting became part of the training.

“When I started I was pretty heavy, 110 kilos, so they ordered a boat specially for me, it cost £3,500 for that. I started doing the training and I went skulling on my own one day when it was a bit wavy, because I was so heavy I sank the boat.

“They were not very happy about that, they could not believe it. I swam to the shore and they said, 'Where's the boat,' they could not believe it had sunk on the River Taff. They did manage to get it back, but they gave me an ultimatum to lose 20 kilos or else - I was skin and bone at that point through the training and I just could not do it.

“Weightlifting is perfect from that point of view because I just need to get as strong as I can, I do not need to watch my weight at all. If I feel comfortable then that is perfect.

“I have a really good coach for my technique and the weights are just jumping up, it has amazed me how quickly it has all improved. Hopefully it will stay as easy as this and I will get to the Olympic stage.”

“You have doubts about some people when you see the weights they do, there is quite a difference between what they do in training and in competition, but over here there is a really strict drugs testing regime,” he said.

“It has come naturally to me, I am naturally big and strong so the testing is fine, my last one was last week in fact.

What emerged bedraggled from the River Taff that day is now an Olympic potential weightlifter, who has already claimed the Commonwealth superheavyweight gold by lifting a British junior record.

“My Dad is Iranian, a pretty powerful guy, while I get the height from my Mum. There has not been much development in Welsh weightlifting in the last 10 years, but it is changing now with a lot of young people coming through so it is just a matter of time.”

If he can add around half the total weight of Angel to that amount, he will qualify for the London Olympics, though the Glasgow Commonwealth Games remain a better target for medals.

There is also a host of talent coming through in Welsh gymastics, but even in that group of developing achievers Angel Romaeo stands out after becoming the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games all round champion.

“At the Commonwealth event I was hoping to improve my personal best by 10 kilos. I did improve it by five, but I was a bit disappointed with that – but I did win and it felt great to get a first international win and enjoy the awards ceremony, it introduced me to the world of sport in a way,” he said.

At the age of 14 she is too young for the London Olympics, where there is a limit of 16 or older, but is a real medal prospect for Glasgow 2014 and Rio 2016 after starting going along to gymnastics with her elder sister Venus.

“To get to the Olympics I need to put 20 kilos on to reach the B standard, if I do not get an injury then I feel it is looking pretty good. In the last few months I have jumped up 80 kilos so that is a relatively small amount if I maintain the progress.

“It was nice to win at the Commonwealth Youth Games and it is also very nice to get an award like this,” she said.

“It takes a lot of hard work, training for long hours while also going to school, so it is good when all that work pays off.

“For a teenager, just 16 months in the sport, to make it to the Olympics would be quite something to tell the grandchildren – a teenage Olympian in weightlifting is unusual.”

“I am looking forward to challenging in the Commonwealths as part of this Welsh team. We have some great coaching to help us too, so things are looking very good.”

Weightlifting is one of those sports that has been tainted by drug use over the years, a competitor was stripped of his gold medal as recently as the Delhi Commonwealth Games. Jokarzadeh does not let that faze him.

Exciting times ahead for both Darius and Angel as we wait to see if they join the other SportingWales Rising Star award winners in going from strength to strength.

SportingWales Rising Star Awards

Darius Jokarzadeh and Angel Romaeo are two of the monthly winners of the SportingWales Rising Star Awards, sponsored by Sport Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the Village Hotel Group – and two greater contrasts could hardly be found.

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Matthew's reasons for optimism Matthew Whitfield goes into this sailing season on the back of one of the best British performances at the Optimist world championships in New Zealand – coming straight back down to earth with an exam on his first day back.

It capped off a remarkable year in which he was world champion in the FEVA boat and proved himself one of the top performers in a strong group of up-and-coming Welsh sailors trying to follow in the footsteps of 2012 Olympian Hannah Mills.

Whitfield has had a remarkable year of progress in international competitions, apart from taking part in the FEVA and Optimist world championships, he also qualified for the 4.7 Laser in Argentina, but will not be able to go because of funding.

News

Mills was fifth overall and top woman in the Optimists world championships and it is seen as one of the best

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indicators of those who will come through at the highest level.

Whitfield put in one of the best British performances since with a 21st place out of more than 200 of the world's best – and the 14-year-old has time on his side in the Under 16's event.

“At the start of last year I was just trying to selection to the national squads, so to end up winning the selection events was quite something,” he said.

“Then to finish as the top Brit in New Zealand was something I was very happy with because I have always wanted to do well in the Worlds.

“New Zealand was amazing, just to go there was something and then to do really well was quite cool. It certainly meant all the cold winter days sailing in Pwllheli paid off!

“The conditions were very difficult with six days out on the water, it was really dehydrating and hard to concentrate, but I knew that if I did well it would feel so good afterwards and that helped me focus.

“This year I want to try to win the FEVA world championships again and also to do well in the 4.7 Laser.

“I have been in the 4.7 winter squad learning how to sail that better, so it is quite exciting to think about what will happen now.

“Hannah Mills is definitely the inspiration, if you can do nearly as well as her at this age then that would be really good. I am also interested in team racing and match racing, so I am not trying to copy her exactly.

“It is hard at the moment because of exams as well – I came back from New Zealand to GCSE Biology and had to revise while I was away.”

Anti-Doping Yet again recent decisions of the National Anti-Doping Panel have highlighted the dangers of athletes taking un-prescribed medicines with serious consequences. Christian Edwards, Partner and Sports Law expert at JCP Solicitors tells Sporting Wales what any aspiring sports person should be aware of when beginning their career: It is important to note that in addition to professional athletes, semi-professional players can also be covered by AntiDoping Regulations. Many sporting bodies such as the WRU and RFU have adopted the standard rules and regulations of the National AntiDoping Panel (“NADP”). Accordingly if as an athlete, you are affiliated to, or a member of, such a sporting body, you are bound by the rules of the NADP. For established professionals, there should not really be any excuse, but what of academy players or even semiprofessional players?

Each club which runs an academy should ensure that education and training is given on the taking of unprescribed medication at the earliest possible stage. In other words, such advice should be incorporated into player development programmes. It is good practice to introduce random

drug testing at an earlier stage so that developing players become familiar with the process.

But when it comes to semi-professional players playing mainly for enjoyment, the position is more difficult to assess.

Such players hold down full time jobs in the week often working long hours.

It is understandable that given their “commitment” to sport is perhaps only on a Saturday afternoon, their approach to diet and nutrition is not exact. Some semi-professional players will take medication to ensure that they can simply work through the week without necessarily any consideration as to how the same may impact on their performance on a Saturday.

Unfortunately the amount and type of medication which can be easily purchased over the internet gives scope to non-compliance with the Rules.

The penalties for breaching the NADP Rules are severe, and can ultimately result in a playing ban for 2 years; effectively curtailing a promising career. This can be the case even when the medication has been taken in good faith and without any intention to enhance performance. The onus is firmly on the player.

governing body such as a list of banned substances (the World Anti-Doping Association “WADA” Prohibited List) 2. The fact that drug testing is random and can occur at any time during the season 3. The fact that the NADP Rules do provide for a further “B” sample in the event that the first “A” sample proves inconclusive 4. If medication is taken consistent with Therapeutic Use then the athlete may be exempt.

In summary, if in any event there is a need for medication, players (and clubs) should firstly consult the Prohibited List and if appropriate obtain expert guidance on use of any medication.

Wishing you future success in your sporting endeavours!

The Rules also cover circumstances in which a player refuses to give a sample for testing.

For more information please contact Christian Edwards for an informal So, players and clubs should be aware of: discussion on 01792 773 773 or email christian.edwards@jcpsolicitors.co.uk 1. Any guidance issued by the

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

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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Olympic success tops it off for Basten Chris Basten finished his time at Welsh Sailing within sight of achieving one of his major objectives.

After nine years he decided to call an end to his time as chairman, but with Hannah Mills about to compete in the 2012 Olympics the aim of getting a Welsh sailor back competing at the highest levels is about to be fulfilled.

As recognition for the work Basten has put in he received an RYA Award from HRH the Princess Royal (pictured).

“I have enjoyed it and I am glad people think I have done well, but the best part has been seeing the young children coming through and enoying sailing,” he said.

“I remember Hannah Mills starting when she was eight and now she is in the Olympics, in the last ten to fifteen years we have seen a number of sailors sailors who are as talented as Hannah and I see Wales as a major source of top world class

sailors for many years to come.

“That is down to the commitment of the volunteers and staff and I am delighted to have been part of it.

“Welsh Sailing certainly punches above its weight, we have 31 per cent of the Great Britain squad in Toppers coming from Wales, 25 per cent of the Optimists squad, and that is something which can grow and grow as there are more talented youngsters coming through.

“They come through the Welsh system and then into the GB system, but we keep track of them and look after then as much as we can.

“The Great Britain squads develop that talent, while our job is to look at the development pathways.

“We are also very good at participation at the moment. We had a target of giving people 10,000 opportunities to sail in he last few years – we are currently standing on more than 30,000 children having been given the chance to sail.

“OnBoard is the scheme that allows us to do that and it is going really well right across Wales, in partnership with councils.

“I will still be involved in sailing, it is my passion and my sport, but I know I am leaving it in good hands with the likes of chief executive Steve Morgan.”

athletics

Scott helping Wales hit the heights Scott Simpson is the latest top performer to be brought into the Welsh Athletics system so that talent emerging in the Principality can draw on their experience.

Pole vaulter Simpson is the newest addition to the Welsh Athletics line-up developing the raw talent that can lead Wales, he believes, to become one of the world's best athletics nations, let alone in the UK. At 32 years of age, Bath-born, Cardiff-based Simpson could easily still be challenging for competitive medals and titles but, for the past few years, he has been nurturing his own group of vaulters at the Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Now, after a stint as director of athletics there and having been 'headhunted' for a top job by UK Athletics in Loughborough, Simpson is aiming to guide people from across the various track and field disciplines towards the podium at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Glasgow - and beyond.

Under Simpson's wing have been the likes of rising vaulting talents Sally Peake, Bryony Raine and Paul Walker, while he has helped in a specialist capacity with other Welsh athletes, such as decathlete David Guest.

Now he has become the National Performance Coach, working alongside a team of other coaches, staff and officers at the National Athletics Stadium, Leckwith, including another new appointee in Dave Goodger, the Coaching Development Manager.Simpson has his hands full at the moment. Four of his 'group' could be taking part in this year's London Olympic Games, with one pretty much nailed into the British team..

"Kate Dennison is the British record holder and she's reached 15th in the world last year. She is high calibre.

She is a dead cert to be in the Olympics," said Simpson.

"There is another one who has got a shot at the Games, and two who are outside chances. So my concentration this year is going to be on this."

Once that is over, though, it is all guns blazing towards Glasgow, with 26-year-old Sally Peake one Welsh athlete who is flying high on the way to a medal in Scotland.

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Rob ready for post Ryder role

“It was great to be invited to the Golf Union of Wales awards last December and see the Club Professional of the Year from Rhondda golf club, while their lead volunteer had just been recognised nationally by the BBC.

Former Ryder Cup Wales chief executive Rob Holt is the new chairman of Golf Development Wales.

“That could not have happened without the investment in facilities at Rhondda from Ryder Cup Wales. Now it is Golf Development Wales that is the way of giving back to the clubs of Wales.”

The appointment means the experience and contacts gained from hosting the Ryder Cup in Wales will continue to benefit Welsh golf, along with former Ryder Cup Wales chairman John Jermine filling the same role at the Golf Union of Wales.

Golf Union of Wales chairman John Jermine had a close working relationship with Holt through his previous role with Ryder Cup Wales and he welcomed the appointment.

Holt, aged 48, made a huge impact on Welsh golf as the spearhead of Ryder Cup Wales which helped fund many of the facilities and development schemes that are run through Golf Development Wales.

"After working with Rob for 10 years at Ryder Cup Wales I was in no doubt that he would be the ideal successor to Andy Morgan and was delighted when he accepted the board's invitation to Chair Golf Development Wales,” said Jermine.

GDW has helped transform the landscape of Welsh golf, with around 180,000 people being introduced to the game through one of their schemes.

“Rob built a hugely talented and successful team at RCW and under his leadership

“I enjoyed my eight years involved with Ryder Cup Wales enormously, working with all the partners across Wales including the Golf Union of Wales,” said Holt, awarded an OBE for services to golf following the Ryder Cup. “I got so much out of it and wanted to give something back so when I was approached I said 'yes' straightaway.

I am sure that our own team, of whom we are all very proud, will continue to innovate and set the benchmarks for attracting new people to the game and establishing golf in Wales as a sport for all.

“Personally I am so pleased that we can continue to work together as, like Andy, he has become a good friend for whom I have the highest regard"

golf

Since 2002 more than 5,000 coaches, volunteers and referees have been trained or upskilled, there are more than 40 new or improved beginner golf facilities around Wales and five new Regional Centres of Excellence, spread around Wales.

“I believe Golf Development Wales is one of the strongest development arms of any governing body. The legacy from the Ryder Cup is there, but it is a matter of continuing to protect that legacy and ensure the sport continues to grow.

“Hopefully the contacts I have made through Ryder Cup Wales will help, but I know I have a really tough act to follow in Andy Morgan with his 41 years of being involved with Welsh golf.

“Golf club membership can be something that is cut as belts are tightened but there remains great enthusiasm following the Ryder Cup and the Golf Development Wales team led by Hannah Fitzpatrick have done a great job in developing and maintaining momentum.

“It is important to ensure that the legacy of the Ryder Cup gathers further momentum. Even if it were not for this role, I would still look in on those clubs who have had Ryder Cup Wales funding to see how they are getting on.

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Yoga trend hotting up Mixed Martial Art fighting and Yoga may not seem a natural fit, but one of Wales's best MMA exponents, personal fitness trainer Tim Newman, disagrees – perhaps because neither area is fully understood.

Q: What is MMA fighting?

A: It is better known as cage fighting, but it is just a combination of all the martial arts and you compete in a cage.You have to have all types of fitness for this, power, technique, skill and the endurance to last three rounds.

Q: So what are your next targets?

A: The first targets are domestic, I want to be the British Association of Martial Arts title holder, but then there is the USC which is the Premiership of MMA – if you get there then you have really made it. I am just a couple of successful fights away. The next thing for me is set to be the Cage Warriors in Saudi Arabia in April.

Q: MMA fighting and Yoga – not many people would associate those two together?

A: I have been in the fitness industry for nine years and had never done a yoga class, even though flexibility is clearly important. Now I just wish I had done it sooner, if I am more flexible then that will help my MMA. Q: What does it involve?

A:Yogafever in Cardiff is about hot yoga, the room is heated up to around 36-38 degrees.

That makes your muscles looser and easier to stretch and it has worked wonders for me.

Q:Yoga is about people trying to stretch and stay calm, isn't it? Hardly perfect for explosive athletes?

A: At yogafever you look around you and there are a lot of young people and you can tell they work out. Since going down there I have bumped into a lot of training partners who obviously know the benefits as well.

Q: Does it help with injuries as well?

A: I had a bad lower back and neck trouble for the last year, but since I started doing the yogafever that has gone away. It is certainly something I would recommend for athletes to implement in their training programme.

Yogafever Studio, 2nd floor, 39 Windsor Place, Cardiff, Cf10 3BW. This is the first of a series of six articles with top sportspeople talking about the benefits of yoga. Look out for it in future editions of SportingWales.

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— Jonathan Davies, Wales & Great Britain *Terms & conditions apply. See website for details sportingwales

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www.yogafever.co.uk

Ben moves from rugby to golf Ben Waterhouse is to move from English rugby to take over the top job in charge of the Wales golf teams, filling the shoes of Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards.

Waterhouse has taken over as the Director of Performance for the Golf Union of Wales, looking to build on the work started by Edwards who moved the other way across the Severn Bridge to the English Golf Union.

that a new person can look at.

The 34-year-old Waterhouse worked for the Rugby Football Union, based at Worcester Warriors, and has been involved in sports development all his career. He is a social golfer who will be putting the structures and systems in place for the likes of national mens and ladies coaches Neil Matthews and Jeremy Bennett to provide the technical expertise.

The appointment has been welcomed in Welsh golf, as Waterhouse prepares to take over the management of the Wales amateur golf coaching structure and teams from junior levels, through to the main Wales Mens and Ladies teams that compete on the world stage, as well as seniors level.

Waterhouse comes into the role at a time when there is a great amount of talent coming through the system, spearheaded by Walker Cup hero Rhys Pugh and Junior Solheim Cup star Amy Boulden.

“I am really looking forward to this role,” he said. “I am hugely excited to be working for the Golf Union of Wales, maintaining everything Nigel has done while putting my stamp on it going forward.

“At the RFU I tried to surround myself with good people who are experts in their own field – so that is how it will work with Neil, Jeremy and all the other coaches with the expertise. I will let them do their job while I can come up with some other ideas to support and enhance what they can offer.

“Nigel has obviously done a lot right or he would not have been so highly regarded, but there are always things golf

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“I hope it is a good thing that I am different, I am not a golfer in the same way, so hopefully I can bring something new to the table."

“We were never going to be able to replace Nigel directly, so we wanted someone who could come into the role with a wealth of knowledge in sports development and creating structures to help elite sports people,” explained Golf Union of Wales chief executive Richard Dixon.

“Ben comes in with that sports development experience, most recently in English rugby, he is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and he ticks so many of the boxes for what we were looking for.

“He wants to carry on the good work which has been done, rather than change things for the sake of it, which was very important to us because we feel Welsh golf is moving to a pretty good place for a small nation – though we will always strive to be better.

“We are sorry to see Nigel go, but we wish him all the best with the English Golf Union and his ongoing role as captain of the Walker Cup team while we also look forward in terms of the development of elite golfers in Wales.”

Statue Dedicated to Welsh Gymnast A sculpture was dedicated to Welsh rhythmic gymnast, Frankie Jones, at a week longexhibition in Terminal 5, Heathrow Airport.

The statue, sculpted by Eleanor Cardozo (pictured), celebrates Frankie’s achievements in the field of gymnastics and is part of a collection of artwork showcasing the sport.

The event, hosted by the Terminal 5 Expo Fine Art Gallery, was opened by the Commonwealth Games Silver medallist and Olympic hopeful.

The five times British champion Frankie Jones said, “I’m literally speechless, this is such an honour never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that a statue would be dedicated in my name for the sport that I love, and to think thousands of people will see it every day, it’s difficult to put into words how flattered I feel.”

Jo Coombs Head of Performance and Excellence for Welsh Gymnastics said, “Frankie has been one of our consistent high performers and has been an invaluable asset to the Welsh rhythmic gymnastics gymnastics football

Welsh boys go where World Cup stars will follow A group of Welsh footballers are heading out to play in the Middle East, where the World Cup stars of 2022 will follow when the planet's biggest sporting event is due to be held in Qatar.

The young players from a group of schools in the Vale of Glamorgan will be going to nearby Dubai to take part in a unique FIFA regulated international football tournament.

The team made up of Year 8 secondary

ice racing

BIKING ON ICE Welsh adventure racer Maria Leijerstam has been a strange sight at Cardiff ice rink as she gets on her bike before taking to the ice in an effort to achieve a world first.

Dancing on ice, ice hockey or even recreational skating are the more normal sights, but Maria has been preparing for her 600km race across Siberia's frozen Lake Baikal on March 15 where temperatures can dip as low as minus 40 degrees C and winds can blow at 200mph.

programme. Her dedication and drive is immeasurable, we are incredibly honoured that one of our own is rightly getting the attention she deserves.”

school pupils from Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major Secondary School will be the only team from the UK competing in the event, against teams from countries such as South Africa, India, China, Africa, Malta, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and many more.

Peter Griffiths, team manager and coach, has only just returned from Sierra Leone in December where he coached football and delivered educational workshops to some of the most deprived children in the world in a unique international sports and global citizenship project supported by the Craig Bellamy Foundation.

Maria, from the Vale of Glamorgan, has already completed the Marathon des Sables where she ran 250km in 6 days in +40 degrees. “Having survived a warm challenge I just have to see if I can withstand a cold one too”, she said.

When Maria completes this cycle on the largest fresh water lake in the world, she will become the first solo woman to have done so.

Apart from testing out her loaded bike on Cardiff Ice Rink, including carrying all she will need for the crossing, Maria is also making sure her clothing is up to the job.

"Ensuring I don't perspire at all is going to be the key to staying warm so when I am training I am always adjusting my effort level and clothing to suit," Maria said. “Just the slightest sweat can set off hypothermia ending any chance of finishing this race.”

On her feet, she'll be wearing specially made polar boots that keep feet warm in minus 100 degrees. “Even though they are big and bulky, it is the sacrifice I am willing to take.

The nature of cycling means my feet won't get a work out and will be very susceptible to the cold,” said Maria.

Maria founded Multisport Wales in 2010 and pioneered the ever growing Burn Series multi-sport events. This year, Cardiff Burn will be a qualifying race for the UK Adventure Racing Championships which will bring top adventure racing athletes to Cardiff.

"Conditions are going to dictate my speed and route choice and therefore it is impossible to predict my finish time," said Maria. However if the conditions are favourable then I am hoping to reach the midway check point on the tip of Olhon Island in 30hrs. Here I will take a six hour break to eat and sleep before embarking on the second half of the lake.

Maria will be riding a Qoroz Titanium Mountain bike, which has been fitted out with ice tyres to ensure she gets enough grip on the ice. As there are no hills involved she has also removed the rear brake to reduce weight and potential clogging from snow and ice. sportingwales

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words

Alun Wyn Jones's World Cup Year With Alun Wyn Bevan (Gomer Press)

Hamish Stuart

Triumph and Tragedy – Welsh Sporting Legends

By Peter Jackson. (Mainstream Publishing)

Alun Wyn Jones was paid a tribute from within the Wales squad, you would never need to test his fitness because you know he will have done the hard work without question.

It is an honesty that comes across every time he plays, when you see his lung-busting runs at the end of Ospreys Heineken Cup clashes or – most memorably – his performance at the heart of Wales's 14 man effort in the Rugby World Cup semi-final.

So you would expect his book to be honest and from the heart – maybe not warts and all but certainly revealing.

Book Review

This is not a sensational blockbuster full of controversy, but that is not a criticism. It does take you behind the scenes, it is the equivalent of being allowed into the dressing room to see what it's like on a good day.

SW

If Jones seems a little early in his career to be writing a book, there are two compelling defences. Firstly he describes the year, while providing some personal background. Secondly, and more importantly, the proceeds from the book go to cancer research at Velindre Hospital and the Wales and Ospreys second row deserves every support for giving his time and thoughts to such a good cause.

It was lucky Wales did well in the World Cup, there would always have been enough to cover in a rugby year but reaching the semi-finals in such dramatic fashion certainly gives the book an edge.

It is an honest book which does not make unjustifiable claims, but which does give a good feel for the Wales and Ospreys camps. You can be entertained and informed while supporting a good cause at the same time – what's not to like?

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www.gomer.co.uk

A book on some of Wales's best ever sporting stars may seem a little unnecessary, most people know the stories of the superstars so surely this would have to offer something a little different?

Luckily Peter Jackson does just that, if you think you know all there is to know about the likes of John Charles, Ryan Giggs and Ian Woosnam, then think again.

Firstly this book is a highly useful one-stop-shop, covering many different sports and different periods of Welsh sporting history. Through engaging with the great names covered, you will be surprised how much you learn about Welsh and British sport.

Jackson has been a journalist based in Wales since the 1960's, he met these people in their pomp and then again (where possible) to research this book. That gives him a unique insight and plenty of revealing information.

For instance we know about John Charles, the gentle giant, the great footballer and the modest man – but few of us know what it was like to interview him during his playing days.

Apart from his skill as a journalist and writer, that is what Jackson can add to this series of essays on the greats of Welsh sport.

It is an esoteric list in some ways, the great names are chosen because they are people Jackson can relate to and add to their story. It might not be the definitive list of Welsh sporting greats, but on that basis it is certainly an informative and interesting read.

London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games We’re all aware that the Games will take place predominantly in East London but the Welsh Government is determined to maximise opportunities for Wales; not just sport-related opportunities, but in maximising the economic legacy for Wales, boosting tourism and enhancing Wales’s global reputation.

The Olympic Torch is in Wales for four nights in May and will pass through all of Wales’ local authorities with overnight stops in Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bangor. Hundreds of inspirational people from Wales will carry the Torch.

An unforgettable experience for those involved, and for those communities en route who turn out to see it.

Welsh Businesses have benefitted from London 2012, having secured over fifty Games-related contracts worth over £38m.

The Paralympic Flame Festival will also be coming to Wales, with an event in Cardiff in August, before the Flame travels to London for the Paralympic Games opening ceremony.

The Royal Mint in Llantrisant will produce the Medals and commemorative coins – a contract, with over 25 suppliers and employing additional local temporary labour at peak times.

Wales will host close to 1,000 athletes and support staff from at least 19 countries before the Games. Pre-Games Training Camps will utilise our world-class sports facilities, expertise and high performance sport infrastructure throughout Wales in the lead in to the Games.

The Cultural Olympiad is designed to give everyone a chance to be part of London 2012. It will inspire creativity across Wales, engaging with tens of thousands of people, especially young people. The Power of the Flame is Wales’ largest contribution to the Cultural Olympiad.

Thousands of people applied to be volunteer Games-Makers, with almost 2000 people being interviewed from Wales. For those who were unsuccessful, or those who wish to volunteer locally, there are plenty of opportunities to do so at events inspired by London 2012.

Many national and community projects in Wales inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games have been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark. A first of its kind in the history of the Games, it has recognised over 85 Welsh projects that are inspiring positive change in over 100,000 young people throughout Wales and drawing in funding of over £2m.

Of course Wales will host the very first Olympic event. The Football Tournament kicks off in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on 25th July two days before the main Opening Ceremony in London.

Eleven football games will be played over 16 days and is a great opportunity for the people of Wales to experience Olympic competition in our capital city.

So in short, there’s a lot going on in Wales, nothing new there then!

For the latest and more detailed information on the 2012 Olympiad in Wales visit www.walesin2012.com

Cardiff International White Water SW

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ICF World Cup Canoe Slalom – 8-10 June 2012 The ICF World Cup Canoe Slalom will be hosted at Cardiff International White Water (CIWW), demonstrating how Wales is attracting world-class sporting events in 2012.

For a week in June, the Centre will host the world’s best professional paddlers from across the globe, training from 4-7 June and competing in the International Canoe Federation (ICF) World Cup races on the weekend 8-10 June.

For those of us who missed out on Olympic tickets, Canoe Cardiff 2012 – as the event is known – is a fantastic opportunity to watch world-class water sport heroes, including teams who will later compete in the Olympics.

Last year’s event attracted millions of TV viewers and this year you can enjoy the action up close with hundreds of other spectators in a specially-built grandstand.

Open since 2010, CIWW has already opened its doors to thousands of adrenalin-junkies of all abilities experiencing the thrill of white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.

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Only the best athletes can tackle the tides, dodge the obstacles, and race the 300m rapid speeding through up to 25 gates in a race against the clock...

For ticket information visit the website canoecardiff2012.com

International Sports Village, Cardiff CF11 0SY Pentref Chwaraeon Rhyngwladol, Caerdydd CF11 0SY

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advertorial

Sports fans turn to Hayes Apartments Hayes Apartments has seen a surge in sales from rugby fans wanting to buy a second home in the heart of Cardiff for the Six Nations.

The luxury residential city development believes its strong appeal to purchasers is thanks to its unique city centre location, just a short walk from the Millennium Stadium, and Cardiff’s reputation as a world class sporting destination. Every time there is a rugby match in the city, interest in the scheme soars with sometimes double or triple the number of people wanting to view the show apartments or get more details.

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Louise Franklin of Hayes Apartments said, “People travel from across the UK and overseas to enjoy the Welsh rugby experience and what better way to soak up the atmosphere than by witnessing it on the doorstep of your own new city apartment.

“We have had several residents who have purchased a second home with us just so they have somewhere to stay when they come to watch sport in the city.

“They see purchasing a home at Hayes Apartments as a longer term investment that will pay off in the future as well as knowing that they’ve got guaranteed top quality accommodation, just around the corner from all the action.

“This is complemented with the fabulous views from the apartments and the rooftop courtyard gardens which are exclusively for the use of residents.”

“With just 20 properties remaining, ranging from studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments, we are encouraging potential buyers to move quickly to secure their dream city centre home.”

Hayes Apartments is uniquely situated above the new St David’s retail development.

Prices Prices at Hayes Apartments start from £109,995 For more information, log on to www.hayes-apartments.co.uk, visit the marketing suite located on the upper level of the Grand Arcade in St David’s, Cardiff, or call 029 2066 6693.

Alternatively, you can call the sales hotline on 07590 965461

20/06/2011 13:16

HEINEKEN CUP FINAL Weekend of 19/20 May 2012 Tickets on sale from £35, £45, £60, £75

buy your tickets now For UK customers book online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or call UK +44 844 8472 492 or International +44 161 6372 693 For ROI customers online at www.ticketmaster.ie or call Ire 0818 220812 Group sales (9 tickets or more) email: groups@therfu.com

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