Sport

Grand Slam win for Pembrokeshire rugby ace

Published

5 days ago

April 13, 2026

A PEMBROKESHIRE rugby player is celebrating a grand slam win this month after being selected to head one of Hong Kong’s eight premiership rugby clubs.

Amy Rothero, 25, has been named as the new general manager of the all-inclusive Kowloon Rugby Club which boasts seven rugby teams, four netball teams and a cricket team, all competing in leagues across Hong Kong.

The same month, Rothero discovered she is one of just 50 international females selected to sit on the United Rugby Club Leadership Academy. This is a global initiative that redefines access and opportunities for women to pursue careers in the sporting industry all over the world.

“This is a truly fantastic opportunity as it comes at a time when I really wanted to focus on a strong career in sport” Amy told The Pembrokeshire Herald.

“When I first arrived in Hong Kong back in 2024, I didn’t have a particular job in mind. I just wanted to improve my skills. But I soon realised just how important rugby is regarded here and that this was a great place to further my skills.”

Amy, who is the daughter of Brian and Ceri Rothero, began making a name for herself on the sporting circuit as a Neyland schoolgirl when she competed nationally as a hurdler. She began playing rugby at a young age, inspired by her father who was a rugby coach for many years, and her younger brother Oliver, who currently plays for Neyland RFC. Last year saw Oliver pass no fewer than 226 points for the rugby season together with 12 tries and 15 conversions.

After leaving school, Amy joined the Scarlets Under 18’s, and then studied sports management at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

“This was when my rugby really started to develop and the more I started to get out of the game, the more I wanted to pursue it as a career,” she explains.

“I started looking at different countries, to see what they were able to offer, and one of the ones that kept coming up was Hong Kong. They had a women’s team, they were recruiting players, and so in 2024 I made the decision to join them.”

Within a very short time, Amy began to realise just how integral rugby is to the people of Hong Kong.

“I had no idea how big the game is here. It’s a very rugby-loving nation with the result that many people choose to come over here to play. And as the years go by, it’s just getting bigger and bigger, with the result that the imports are definitely going to increase.”

Amy’s first job in Hong Kong was with the children’s global rugby programme Rugbytots, where she was appointed the club’s first female head coach. Seven months later she was offered an administrative role which she successfully juggled alongside her coaching.

“This was a great way to find my feet in Hong Kong and I absolutely loved it,” said Amy.

“And what made it even better was that my boss at Rugbytots is Welsh, so this gave me a wonderful taste of home.”

Amy’s talents, both as a player and as a communicator, were soon acknowledged by her seniors, with the result that she has now been offered the position of general manager of Kowloon Rugby Club.

“It’s an extremely exciting opportunity as many teams operate within the club, including premiership rugby, women’s premiership as well as other sectors such as netball and cricket.

“Naturally it’s bittersweet, as it means I’ll no longer be able to play rugby. But I know that the time has come to move on to bigger and better things. I can park my playing for now, but I know that I can always go back to it in the future if I choose to.”

Amy has also been named as one of 50 females from 22 countries and five continents selected for the United Rugby Club Leadership Academy. This is a global initiative that helps create opportunities for women pursuing careers across the sports industry.

Now entering its fifth year, the programme has already supported aspiring young women from across the world, connecting them with influential leaders, mentors, and decision-makers in sport. Many graduates have gone on to secure roles in elite performance, broadcasting, event management, and sports governance , which is evidence of the Academy’s growing global impact.

“Yes, I’m excited at everything that’s happened in my career this year, but I miss the UK and my home in Pembrokeshire so much,” concludes Amy.

“I get homesick. I come back at Christmas and for a few weeks in the summer, but my ultimate goal is to continue my career in the UK. I know deep down, that everything that’s happening now is preparing me for when that time comes.”

Sport

Hakin seconds storm to cup glory

Published

4 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Herald Sport

Young Vikings prove too strong for Johnston in eight-goal final

HAKIN UNITED 2nds lifted the Pembrokeshire Division Two Cup after a powerful display saw them beat Johnston 5-3 in front of 719 spectators at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday night.

The Vikings’ young side rose to the occasion in style, turning in an energetic and confident performance to take control of the final and keep Johnston on the back foot for long periods.

Hakin made the most of mistakes from the Tigers and showed real quality going forward, with Mason Dolling and Callum Stannett particularly impressive in attack as they helped drive their side towards the trophy.

Although Johnston did manage to get two late goals on the scoresheet, they came too late to change the outcome of a contest that had already been decided.

By that stage, Hakin had built a commanding lead and looked the more dangerous side throughout, combining pace, movement and clinical finishing to put themselves firmly in control.

The strong turnout at the Ogi Bridge Meadow added to the occasion, with a crowd of 719 watching Hakin’s young team deliver on the big stage.

In the end, the Vikings were deserved winners, producing the sort of dominant cup final display that left little doubt over where the silverware was heading.

Image: Hakin United Football Club/Facebook

Sport

Wales Under-20 women make history with Home Internationals triumph

Published

1 day ago

April 17, 2026

Herald Sport

The team secured a historic victory at the Lacrosse Home Internationals last weekend, lifting the title for the first time in 23 years.

WALES Under-20 women secured a historic victory at the Lacrosse Home Internationals last weekend, lifting the title for the first time in 23 years.

The landmark success came after an impressive three-day tournament at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Newport, England, from Thursday, April 10 to Saturday, April 12, 2026.

Joint captains Maddie Sturt, Ellora Williams and Kaitlin Miller praised the squad’s commitment and team spirit throughout the competition.

They said: “We are incredibly proud of how hard the team worked throughout training. Everyone put in so much work and it clearly showed in our performance over the tournament this weekend.

“Playing for our country is always such an amazing moment and although we are a very new and young team, we all came together in the matches. It was incredible.”

Wales began the tournament with a dramatic clash against England on Friday, narrowly losing 13-12 in the closing minutes. They bounced back on Saturday with a strong 12-9 win over Scotland before sealing the title on Sunday with a superb 15-9 victory over the home side.

Coach Jamie Nicholson said the tournament had given the squad exactly the kind of experience it needed as it builds towards next year’s European Championships.

He said: “Home Internationals were exactly what we needed as a developing squad building toward the European Championships next year.

“We learnt a great deal across three competitive games and came away knowing we have real quality in the group, across all areas of the field.

“Our coaches couldn’t be prouder of how this squad conducted themselves on the pitch and off. They gave everything in every game and showed real character and maturity between games. This is a group of players and staff that genuinely believes in each other and winning the title in their first tournament playing together makes the weekend even more special.”

The success comes at a time of growing global interest in lacrosse, with the sport set to return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles in 2028 for the first time in 120 years.

The Olympic programme will feature the fast-paced “Sixes” format for both men and women, a version designed to make the sport quicker, more accessible and more appealing to new audiences.

Sport

Lockwood handed first Six Nations start as Joyce returns for Arms Park test

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2026

Herald Sport

WALES head coach Sean Lynn has named his side to face France in Round two of the Women’s Guinness Six Nations at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday (Apr 18).

Kate Williams will captain the team, with Lynn making two changes to the starting line-up for the visit of Les Bleues.

Scrum-half Seren Lockwood will make her first Women’s Six Nations start, while experienced three-time GB Olympian Jasmine Joyce comes in on the wing.

Wales return to Cardiff Arms Park for the game against a France side who opened their campaign with victory over Italy.

Lynn has kept faith with the same forward pack that started against Scotland. Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu are named in the front row, with Jorja Aiono and Gwen Crabb continuing in the second row.

The back row sees captain Williams joined by Bethan Lewis and Bryonie King.

In the backs, Lockwood starts alongside Lleucu George at half-back, while Courtney Keight and Carys Cox are selected in midfield.

Kayleigh Powell is named at full-back, with Joyce and Seren Singleton on the wings. Singleton made her Wales debut at the Principality Stadium last weekend.

Lynn said the performance against Scotland had shown signs of progress, but insisted there was still more work to do.

He said: “We took a real step forward as a group of players, coaches and staff against Scotland and there was real evidence of what we have started to build.

“We still have work to do as a squad and coaches, but this is another game to hone the style of rugby we want to play.

“France are one of the best teams in the world and we know they will pose a real challenge, but this is about us delivering a performance and taking another step forward.

“We will need the same grit, determination and fight we showed against Scotland in the dying moments against France.

“The Welsh supporters had a real impact on the players and the noise they generated really pushed the team forward in the closing minutes of the Scotland game.

“The supporters need to know how important they are and how much they inspire the players, and we look forward to them doing the same against France.”

Wales Women to face France:
15 Kayleigh Powell; 14 Seren Singleton; 13 Carys Cox; 12 Courtney Keight; 11 Jasmine Joyce; 10 Lleucu George; 9 Seren Lockwood; 1 Gwenllian Pyrs; 2 Kelsey Jones; 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu; 4 Jorja Aiono; 5 Gwen Crabb; 6 Bethan Lewis; 7 Kate Williams (captain); 8 Bryonie King.

Replacements:
16 Molly Reardon, 17 Maisie Davies, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Natalia John, 20 Branwen Metcalfe, 21 Georgia Evans, 22 Keira Bevan, 23 Hannah Dallavalle.

Pictured: Kate Williams (Pic: BBC)