Sport

Shining stars of the Wales national team

Published

1 year ago

October 22, 2024

The Wales national football team is in transition under new head coach Craig Bellamy. With a blend of experienced veterans and rising stars, they aim to make an impact in the UEFA Nations League while pursuing World Cup qualification. Let’s explore the standout players, their form, and how Wales is navigating international competition under Bellamy’s leadership.

How Wales are currently performing in the Nations League

Wales are competing in Group B4 of the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League under new head coach Craig Bellamy. Their start to the campaign has been mixed but promising, with a 0-0 draw against Turkey and a 2-1 victory against Montenegro.

These results have built a solid foundation, though there’s pressure on Wales to maintain their momentum in their upcoming matches against Iceland and Montenegro in October, with football odds suggesting a tight battle for group dominance.

Bellamy has brought fresh tactics and urgency to the squad, but converting chances into goals has been a challenge. With key players like Aaron Ramsey and Brennan Johnson, Wales have the talent to turn things around. Securing victories in the next few fixtures will be crucial if they are to remain competitive in the group.

Craig Bellamy’s impact

Since taking over as head coach in July 2024, Craig Bellamy has made a notable impact on the Wales national team. Renowned for his tenacity during his playing career, Bellamy has brought the same intensity to his coaching role.

His focus on high-pressing, attacking football is evident, with an emphasis on improving Wales’ forward play and overall team cohesion. Bellamy’s experience as a former Welsh international gives him unique insight into the squad’s dynamics.

His ability to nurture younger talents, like Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams, while balancing the influence of veterans such as Aaron Ramsey, is helping to reshape the team’s identity. While early results in the Nations League have been positive, Bellamy’s tactical evolution will be key as the team continues to adapt to his system.

Wales’ shining stars

Aaron Ramsey: A key leader in the squad, Ramsey brings creativity and control to the midfield. His experience and ability to manage both attack and defence make him indispensable in high-pressure matches.
Daniel James: James is a crucial winger known for his blistering pace and ability to break down defences. His work rate and growing maturity continue to elevate his impact in attack.
Brennan Johnson: A standout forward, Johnson’s agility, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability have made him a rising star for Wales, with impressive performances translating from club to country.
Ethan Ampadu: Versatile and composed, Ampadu’s defensive stability and ability to play across the back and midfield make him a vital part of Wales’ tactical setup.
Neco Williams: The young full-back combines attacking flair with defensive reliability. His pace and overlapping runs add width and creativity to Wales’ wide play.
Ben Davies: A consistent presence in defence, Davies provides experience and leadership, contributing both as a central defender and a left-back, ensuring Wales remain organised at the back.

Looking ahead to World Cup qualification prospects

The road to World Cup qualification presents both challenges and promise for Wales. Under Bellamy’s guidance, the team has shown resilience, combining experienced leaders like Ramsey with emerging talents. Consistent performances in the National League are key to improving their qualification odds, as upcoming fixtures will be crucial tests.

While recent form has been encouraging, the team must remain focused to navigate their competitive group. With Ramsey’s leadership and young players stepping up, Wales has the balance and spirit to push for World Cup qualification.

Sport

Haverfordwest RFC names Team of the Week

Published

18 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST Rugby Football Club has announced its latest Team of the Week, celebrating standout performers from across the junior age groups following another busy weekend of fixtures.

Players from the U7s through to the U16s Eagles have been highlighted for their work rate, teamwork and commitment on the pitch, with coaches praising the effort shown by all who took part.

The club said the selections recognise not only individual performances but the dedication shown by players at training and during matches throughout the season.

Parents and supporters were quick to share their congratulations online, with particular praise for U12s players George Bentley and Tom Wheeler, who impressed during their fixture.

Team of the Week – 14 December 2025

U7s: Ollie Bromham & Arthur Slee
U8s: Theo Headland & Lyla Phillips
U9s: Theo Canton & George Thornton
U10s: Rhys Davies
U10s Eagles: Frankie Campbell
U11s: Griff Jenkins & Ollie Edwards
U12s: George Bentley & Tom Wheeler
U12s Eagles: Cyra Ellis
U15s: Logan Keane
U16s Eagles: Laura Cichon

Coaches thanked players and families for their continued support as Haverfordwest RFC moves through the winter fixtures, saying the positivity around the club remains a key part of its success.

Sport

Bluebirds’ European Journey Continues in Season Four of You Can Have It All

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Herald Sport

Club documentary series returns to document Haverfordwest County’s historic UEFA Conference League campaign

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY has confirmed the return of their club documentary series, You Can Have It All (YCHIA), later this month, showcasing the thrilling journey of last summer’s European adventure.

YCHIA first began filming in 2021, with Season One covering a rollercoaster 2021-22 campaign for the Bluebirds. The season ended with a dramatic top-flight survival, following a challenging period. Season Two shifted focus to the 2022-23 season, which saw the club qualify for Europe for the first time since 2004. The Bluebirds’ stunning play-off victory, which included back-to-back penalty shoot-out wins against Cardiff Met and Newtown, marked manager Tony Pennock’s first season in charge as a major success.

The excitement intensified as the series continued to cover their historic European campaign, which began with a trip to North Macedonia to face KF Shkëndija. Returning to Cardiff City Stadium for the second leg, the Bluebirds made club history by winning their first-ever European tie on penalties. The drama then took them to the Faroe Islands to face B36 Tórshavn, where they were controversially edged out by a single goal in the return leg.

Now, with further continental success under their belts, YCHIA returns for its fourth season, documenting last summer’s European adventure. This season follows Haverfordwest County’s journey through the qualifying rounds of the newly rebranded UEFA Conference League (UECL).

Providing exclusive behind-the-scenes access, the series tracks the Bluebirds’ travels to Malta for the first leg of their UECL first qualifying round tie against Floriana, and the return leg at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli a week later. The season also covers the build-up to the competition, including a visit to Geneva for the UEFA draw and a match against reigning Northern Ireland champions Linfield at Windsor Park, the national stadium.

Season Four will be released in three episodes on December 18, December 23, and January 2. You can watch You Can Have It All on Haverfordwest County’s YouTube channel by following this link. The club will also share highlights and snippets of the documentary across their social media platforms, so be sure to follow them on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter)!

News

Pembroke Dock coach helped steer Lando Norris to F1 world title

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2025

Seren Baker

Local mentor recalls seven-year-old Norris as “one to watch from day one”

A FORMER Pembroke Dock man has been revealed as one of the earliest influences behind newly-crowned Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris – adding an unexpected Pembrokeshire chapter to one of the biggest sporting stories of the year.

Robert Dodds, who grew up in Pembroke Dock before later moving to Poole, was Norris’s first coach at BKC Racing. He began mentoring the future McLaren star when he was just seven years old, helping shape the early foundations of a career that reached its peak on Sunday (Dec 7) when Norris secured the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking to The Herald, Mr Dodds said Norris’s talent was obvious from the very first outing.

“There was something special about him from day one,” he said. “By the time he was eight, he was already as quick as the 10–12-year-olds. He just had this will about him – he wanted it.”

Pembrokeshire link to a global success story

Dodds coached Norris for four years, guiding him through kart setup, technique, and competitive racecraft. He says he remains “immensely proud” that his own Pembrokeshire roots now form a small part of the world champion’s rise.

“Ten or fifteen years ago he was sat in the front of my van as we drove to tracks,” he said. “Now he’s flying around the world racing in Monaco. It’s incredible how far he’s come.”

That early development included a fierce sibling rivalry with Norris’s older brother, Oliver – something Dodds believes accelerated his progress.

“Because of that rivalry, his pace shot up. He wanted to beat his brother – and then he wanted to beat everyone.”

BKC Racing has produced other top talents too, including 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours winner Phil Hanson, further underlining the pedigree of the team that helped launch Norris’s career.

The moment a champion first stood out

Dodds still recalls an early test at Clay Pigeon Raceway, where a seven-year-old Norris completed a lap in 39 seconds – a benchmark usually achieved only by much older cadet racers.

“He came past me with his thumb up – this tiny kid doing senior cadet times. That was the moment we knew.”

Norris seals his first world title

Norris made his Formula 1 debut in 2019, claimed his first podium in 2020, took pole position in 2021 and secured his first Grand Prix win in Miami in 2024. His 2025 campaign saw him take multiple victories before clinching the world championship in Abu Dhabi, becoming the first British driver since Lewis Hamilton to lift the title.

Pride back home in Pembrokeshire

Motorsport fans across the county followed Sunday’s title decider closely, with many celebrating the unexpected local connection.

A local F1 fan who watched the race in a Haverfordwest pub told The Herald:
“Everyone here was proud of Lando – and hearing that one of his early coaches came from Pembroke Dock makes it feel like Pembrokeshire had a tiny part in his journey.”

Dodds, who continues to mentor young racers today, says Norris’s success is already inspiring the next generation.

“It’s like something out of a film. I’m proud of what he’s achieved – and proud to have been part of the journey.”

For Pembrokeshire, the story adds a local footnote to a global sporting triumph – and a reminder that world champions sometimes start out much closer to home than anyone realises.

Cover image:

Proud mentor: Pembroke Dock’s Robert Dodds helped shape Norris’s early racing career (Pic: Robert Dodds)