Sport

Wales wheelchair rugby league squad faces World Cup funding fight

Published

4 weeks ago

April 15, 2026

Players could miss Celtic Cup and Australia campaign without urgent backing

THE WALES RUGBY LEAGUE Wheelchair Squad is on the brink of a historic World Cup campaign — but without urgent financial backing, some of the nation’s top athletes could miss out simply because they cannot afford to take part.

The squad needs to raise thousands of pounds to ensure every selected player can compete, starting with the Celtic Cup in Edinburgh this May — their only competitive preparation before the World Cup in Wollongong, Australia, this autumn.

At present, players and staff are being asked to self-fund their places at a cost of around £250 each.

Team manager Steve Abel has already seen talented athletes forced to withdraw in the past because of the financial burden.

He said: “It’s incredibly tough to ask athletes to pay to represent their country.

“They already give everything — their time, energy and commitment — and then face the added burden of funding their own travel and accommodation. It shouldn’t be this way. I’m determined it won’t happen again.”

Steve, who is leading Wales at a World Cup for the first time, previously officiated at four World Cups and understands better than most what it takes to compete at the highest level — and what is at stake if Wales arrive underprepared.

The Celtic Cup, featuring Wales, Ireland and Scotland, is not simply a warm-up tournament. It is the squad’s only chance to build momentum, test combinations and head to Australia ready to compete.

Despite the financial pressure, belief inside the camp remains high.

Only 12 players will make the trip to Australia, and the squad — drawn from leading clubs including North Wales Crusaders, Leeds Rhinos, South Wales Jets, Midlands Hurricanes, Sheffield Eagles and Wigan Warriors — is determined to show Wales belongs among the world’s best.

Blending pace, power, resilience and experience, the team believes it can make a real impact on the international stage.

Steve added: “We’re not going to Australia just to take part.

“We’ve got a hugely talented squad, experienced coaches and an incredible group of volunteers — we’re a family.

“We genuinely believe we can compete with the world’s best and do Wales proud.”

Wheelchair rugby league is one of the fastest-growing formats in world sport, open to men and women, boys and girls, and athletes from all backgrounds. Wales has been involved since the sport’s earliest international days.

Built on passion, physicality and teamwork, it reflects the very best of Welsh pride and identity.

But with no central government funding and limited resources available to sporting bodies, the squad is relying on support from the wider public to make the dream possible.

Dawn Roberts-McCabe, volunteer for fundraising and sponsorship, said: “I’m proud to give my time to help ensure every prospective athlete can focus on training to become the best version of themselves, rather than worrying about financial barriers.

“It would break my heart if a talented player had to let their World Cup dream go because they had to choose between playing and paying.”

Businesses, sponsors and supporters across Wales are now being urged to step forward. Whether through sponsorship, donations or simply spreading the word, every contribution brings the squad one step closer to the World Cup stage — and to a moment that could inspire a generation.

To support the team or discuss sponsorship opportunities, email Dawn Roberts-McCabe at [email protected]
.

Sport

Pembrokeshire cricket: Week 3 results and tables

Published

8 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Herald Sport

PEMBROKESHIRE cricket’s league season continued on Saturday (May 9), with Carew, Johnston, Kilgetty, Lawrenny II, Llanrhian II and Lamphey II leading their respective divisions after Week 3.

Division 1 results

Home	Score	Away	Score	Result
Herbrandston	59 all out	Burton	119 all out	Burton won by 60 runs
Lawrenny	85 all out	Carew	89-2	Carew won by eight wickets
Whitland	187-6	Cresselly	256 all out	Cresselly won by 69 runs
Neyland	207-5	Narberth	126 all out	Neyland won by 81 runs
St Ishmaels	143 all out	Saundersfoot	244-5	Saundersfoot won by 101 runs

Division 1 table

Pos	Team	Pld	Points	W	L	Ab	Tied
1	Carew	3	56	3	0	0	0
2	Saundersfoot	3	47	2	0	1	0
3	Neyland	3	45	2	0	1	0
4	Burton	3	31	1	1	1	0
5	Herbrandston	3	31	1	1	1	0
6	Cresselly	3	29	1	1	1	0
7	Narberth	3	25	0	1	1	1
8	Whitland	3	23	0	2	1	0
9	St Ishmaels	3	20	0	2	0	1
10	Lawrenny	3	14	0	2	1	0

Division 2 results

Home	Score	Away	Score	Result
Pembroke	209-3	Hook	177 all out	Pembroke won by 32 runs
Fishguard	106 all out	Johnston	109-1	Johnston won by nine wickets
Llechryd	138-1	Llangwm	136-9	Llechryd won by nine wickets
Haverfordwest	144-2	Llanrhian	143-6	Haverfordwest won by eight wickets
Cresselly II	200-6	Pembroke Dock	197 all out	Cresselly II won by four wickets

Division 2 table

Pos	Team	Pld	Points	W	L	Ab
1	Johnston	3	58	3	0	0
2	Cresselly II	3	56	3	0	0
3	Pembroke	3	48	2	0	1
4	Hook	3	43	2	1	0
5	Haverfordwest	3	42	2	1	0
6	Pembroke Dock	3	31	0	2	1
7	Llanrhian	3	27	1	2	0
8	Llechryd	3	21	1	2	0
9	Fishguard	3	19	0	3	0
10	Llangwm	3	17	0	3	0

Division 3 results

Home	Score	Away	Score	Result
Lamphey	184-8	Haverfordwest II	150-7	Lamphey won by 34 runs
Laugharne	82 all out	Hundleton	86-4	Hundleton won by six wickets
Saundersfoot II	102 all out	Kilgetty	178-8	Kilgetty won by 76 runs
Carew II	190-3	Pembroke II	188-7	Carew II won by seven wickets
Burton II	—	Stackpole	—	No game

Division 3 table

Pos	Team	Pld	Points	W	L	Ab
1	Kilgetty	3	58	3	0	0
2	Carew II	3	56	3	0	0
3	Lamphey	3	46	2	1	0
4	Laugharne	3	41	2	1	0
5	Hundleton	3	41	2	1	0
6	Saundersfoot II	3	33	1	1	1
7	Burton II*	2	32	0	2	0
8	Haverfordwest II	3	23	0	3	0
9	Pembroke II	3	19	0	2	1
10	Stackpole	2	14	0	2	0

* Indicates points awarded for opposition failing to fulfil fixture.

Division 4 results

Home	Score	Away	Score	Result
Narberth II	111 all out	Herbrandston II	147 all out	Herbrandston II won by 36 runs
Haverfordwest III	135 all out	Lawrenny II	140-3	Lawrenny II won by seven wickets
Hook II	177-8	Llechryd II	176-6	Hook II won by two wickets
Carew III	106 all out	Neyland II	109-3	Neyland II won by seven wickets
Crymych	157 all out	St Ishmaels II	191-7	St Ishmaels II won by 34 runs

Division 4 table

Pos	Team	Pld	Points	W	L
1	Lawrenny II	3	55	3	0
2	Hook II	3	54	3	0
3	Narberth II	3	48	2	1
4	Haverfordwest III	3	42	2	1
5	Crymych	3	37	1	2
6	Llechryd II	3	37	1	2
7	St Ishmaels II	3	35	1	2
8	Neyland II	3	34	1	2
9	Herbrandston II	3	33	1	2
10	Carew III	3	16	0	3

Division 5 results

Home	Score	Away	Score	Result
Hundleton II	87 all out	Whitland II	89-3	Whitland II won by seven wickets
Llangwm II	293-5	Llechryd III	182 all out	Llangwm II won by 111 runs
Llanrhian II	148-7	Pembroke III	82 all out	Llanrhian II won by 66 runs
Pembroke Dock II	128 all out	Cresselly III	260-5	Cresselly III won by 132 runs

Division 5 table

Pos	Team	Pld	Points	W	L	Ab
1	Llanrhian II	3	60	3	0	0
2	Cresselly III	3	60	3	0	0
3	Whitland II	3	45	2	1	0
4	Llangwm II	2	39	2	0	0
5	Pembroke III	3	20	0	2	1
6	Llechryd III	3	18	0	3	0
7	Pembroke Dock II	3	18	0	2	1
8	Hundleton II	2	10	0	2	0

Division 6 results

Home	Score	Away	Score	Result
H’West/Cresselly	138-8	Whitland III	142-1	Whitland III won by nine wickets
Kilgetty II	73 all out	Lamphey II	74-3	Lamphey II won by seven wickets
Neyland III	149 all out	Laugharne II	103 all out	Neyland III won by 46 runs
Bye	—	Haverfordwest IV	—	—

Division 6 table

Pos	Team	Pld	Points	W	L	Ab
1	Lamphey II	3	56	3	0	0
2	Whitland III	3	44	2	1	0
3	Neyland III	3	35	1	2	0
4	Laugharne II	2	29	1	1	0
5	Haverfordwest IV	2	27	1	1	0
6	H’West/Cresselly	3	22	0	2	1
7	Kilgetty II	2	11	0	1	1

Sport

Thousands of cyclists arrive in Tenby after 100-mile Carten challenge

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

Herald Sport

THOUSANDS of cyclists rolled into Tenby today after completing one of Wales’ best-known charity cycling challenges.

The annual Carten100 ride took place on Saturday (May 9), with riders setting off from Cardiff City Hall before making the long journey west to Pembrokeshire.

The event, now in its 22nd year, is built around a simple idea: Cardiff to Tenby — 100 miles, on a bike, in a day.

Organisers stress that it is not a race, but a personal challenge designed to get people cycling, bring riders together and raise money for good causes.

This year’s ride was fully booked, with entries limited to 2,400 and an estimated field of around 2,200 cyclists taking part.

Riders left Cardiff from 7:30am, travelling through South Wales on a mix of roads and cycle paths before crossing into Pembrokeshire for the final stretch into Tenby.

The official route included support and refreshment stops at Baglan, Burry Port, Carmarthen and Tavernspite, before riders made their way through Stepaside and on towards the finish.

There was a strong welcome in Tenby as family members, friends and supporters gathered to cheer cyclists home after more than 100 miles in the saddle.

Carten100 has grown from a small ride involving just four cyclists in 2004 into a major annual event on the Welsh cycling calendar.

Since it began, the challenge has helped raise more than £1.75m for Welsh charities and good causes.

Organisers say the aim remains the same: to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get back on their bikes, take on a demanding but achievable challenge, and support charity at the same time.

The 2026 ride covered around 107 miles, with organisers reminding participants that the event takes place on open roads and that cyclists must follow the Highway Code throughout.

Riders were supported along the route by feed stations, event volunteers, support vehicles, mechanical help and first aid cover.

For many, the arrival in Tenby marked the end of months of training and fundraising.

The sight of cyclists streaming into the town has become a familiar early-summer scene, bringing a colourful boost to Tenby and celebrating one of Wales’ most popular mass-participation cycling events.

Photo caption:

Carten100 arrives in Tenby: Riders pictured in the town after completing the Cardiff-to-Tenby challenge on Saturday (Pic: Malcolm Richards).

Sport

Tony Pennock and Dan Hawkins nominated for April awards

Published

3 days ago

May 7, 2026

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY manager Tony Pennock and forward Dan Hawkins have been nominated for the JD Cymru Premier’s April awards following an impressive month for the Bluebirds.

Pennock has been shortlisted for Manager of the Month, while Hawkins is in contention for Player of the Month after helping County finish the regular season strongly and secure another place in the European play-offs.

The Bluebirds enjoyed a perfect end to the league campaign in April, winning all three of their matches, including two away from home.

The month began with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at JD Welsh Cup runners-up Flint Town United. Ben Ahmun’s penalty on the stroke of half-time proved enough to secure all three points in north Wales and keep Haverfordwest firmly on course for the play-offs.

Fifteen days later, County knew that a draw or victory against Llanelli Town at the Ogi Bridge Meadow would be enough to confirm their place. They did it in style, with Hawkins scoring the first senior hat-trick of his career in a 6-0 win in front of more than 800 spectators.

Having secured a European play-off place for the third time in four seasons, the Bluebirds then travelled to Jenner Park to face Barry Town United.

County fell behind after just three minutes, but battled back strongly. Greg Walters, assisted by Hawkins, levelled the tie 20 minutes from time before Haverfordwest went on to win 3-1 on penalties.

Supporters can vote for Pennock and Hawkins through the JD Cymru Premier’s official awards link.

Dan Hawkins was sponsored for the 2025-26 season by That Football Drawing.