Sport

Grand Slam win for Pembrokeshire rugby ace

Published

2 months 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

Fishguard gears up for first Festival of Sports weekend

Published

4 days ago

May 30, 2026

Herald Sport

Harbourside town to host new triathlon and family-friendly sporting events with live music and celebrations

FISHGUARD is preparing to welcome athletes, families and spectators next weekend as a brand-new Festival of Sports comes to town, bringing races, live entertainment and a post-event celebration to the historic harbour.

Organised by Activity Wales Events, the inaugural Fishguard Festival of Sports will see competitors take part in a series of endurance events set against the backdrop of Pembrokeshire’s dramatic coastline.

The festival promises scenic race routes, historic surroundings and what organisers describe as “incredible spectator support,” with participants encouraged to make a weekend of the occasion.

Among the attractions are commemorative finisher medals, family-focused participation opportunities and live music taking place across the town throughout the weekend.

One of the more unusual features of the event allows runners to cross the finish line with their children or loved ones, giving families the chance to celebrate together.

Camping will also be available for visitors travelling to the area, while race registration and number collection will take place from 2:00pm on Friday, June 5, at the Phoenix Centre in Fishguard.

Organisers say entries for the sporting events close on Monday, meaning anyone hoping to take part is being urged to sign up quickly.

The festival is expected to provide a welcome boost for local businesses, with competitors and supporters likely to visit pubs, restaurants and shops across Fishguard and Goodwick during the weekend.

A post-race celebration is planned at The Farmers Arms in Fishguard, where participants and supporters will be able to enjoy live entertainment after the events.

Further details and event registration are available through Activity Wales Events.

News

Bowen trainers fined after racehorse drug test failures

Published

5 days ago

May 29, 2026

Herald Sport

Letterston racing family at centre of BHA ruling as two winners are disqualified

TWO Pembrokeshire horse trainers from Letterston have been fined £5,000 after two racehorses failed post-race drug tests, leading to both animals being stripped of race victories.

Peter and Mickey Bowen, father and brother of champion jockey Sean Bowen, appeared before a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel on Thursday (May 28).

The father-and-son training partnership was operating under the same licence at the time of the positive tests, although Mickey Bowen has been the sole licence holder since May 2025.

The pair were fined £4,000 for breaching Rule (K)2.2, which states that no category B substance may be present in a horse’s system on the day it is engaged to run.

They were also fined a further £1,000 for breaching Rule (D)24, which requires trainers to keep clear and accurate records of medication given to horses in their care within 48 hours of treatment.

Two horses disqualified

The disciplinary action relates to Flying Fortune and Olivers Travels, both of which have now been disqualified from wins in 2024.

Flying Fortune has been stripped of victory in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow on Friday (Oct 11, 2024).

The race is regarded as one of the key early contests of the National Hunt season, and the win had been a major success for the Bowen yard.

Racing reports at the time described it as a family affair, with Flying Fortune trained by Peter and Mickey Bowen and ridden by James Bowen. The mare was sent off 2/1 favourite and won by seven-and-a-half lengths.

However, a post-race urine sample later revealed the presence of procaine, a local anaesthetic.

The race has now been awarded to Intense Approach, trained by John McConnell.

Second winner loses race

Olivers Travels has also been disqualified from a 2m7f handicap chase at Worcester on Wednesday (Aug 21, 2024).

A post-race urine sample revealed the presence of dexamethasone, a corticosteroid commonly used to treat inflammation or allergic reactions.

That race has now been awarded to Galloping Pride, trained by Emma Lavelle.

The BHA said the case was dealt with by way of a plea agreement approved by the independent disciplinary panel.

A BHA statement said: “Following this morning’s hearing before the independent Disciplinary Panel, the Panel has approved a Plea Agreement.

“The penalty for breaching Rule (K)2.2 is a £4,000 fine and (D)24 a £1,000 fine.

“The two horses involved, Olivers Travels (IRE) and Flying Fortune (IRE), will be disqualified from their respective races at Worcester on 21 August 2024 and Chepstow on 11 October 2024.”

The ruling does not suggest any wrongdoing by the jockeys involved. The disciplinary action was directed at the trainers over the presence of prohibited substances on race day and failures in medication record keeping.

Sport

Castrol MEM Rally Team celebrates double podium on Jim Clark Rally

Published

1 week ago

May 26, 2026

Herald Sport

Welsh drivers Meirion Evans and Osian Pryce strengthen British Rally Championship title challenge

CASTROL MEM Rally Team secured its second double podium finish in as many rounds of the 2026 British Rally Championship, with Welsh crews Meirion Evans/Dale Furniss and Osian Pryce/James Morgan finishing second and third on the Jim Clark Rally.

The Borders event, held on Friday and Saturday (May 22 and 23), covered 100 stage miles and proved another strong outing for the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 team.

Lampeter driver Meirion Evans delivered a fast and consistent performance, setting the quickest time on stage two and recording six second-fastest stage times. He was third overnight, just 18.7 seconds off the lead, despite starting one night-time stage with his Toyota’s lamp pod disconnected.

Evans moved into second place after Saturday’s opening daylight stage and held the position to the finish, collecting another valuable haul of championship points.

Osian Pryce, from Machynlleth, made a flying start by setting the fastest time on the opening stage and led the rally early on. He was second at the overnight halt, but his hopes of victory were hit on stage five after a delay at the start left him launching into the Polwarth test on cold Michelin tyres.

The 2022 British Rally Champion overshot, then lost around 25 seconds when he was unable to select reverse, leaving him stranded up an escape road.

Pryce then focused on securing third place and ended the event on a high by setting the fastest time on the tenth and final stage.

A win and a third place from the opening two rounds keeps Pryce at the top of the BRC drivers’ standings, while Evans is just four points behind after two second-place finishes.

Evans said: “We were really strong on the Jim Clark Rally last year, so we came here with hopes that we could fight for the win. We were close, but no cigar.

“Two second place finishes in the BRC so far this year is good. I just need to start winning now.”

Pryce said: “We were fighting for the win but ended up having to consolidate the points available, and I’m not too disappointed with third given how things unfolded.

“We’re still leading the championship, so now the focus shifts to the next round and coming back fighting on the Grampian.”