Sport

Catches up on last year in Amroth

Published

9 years ago

March 1, 2016

Winners: Presented with prizes in Amroth

THE 9TH Felinfoel Brewery Double Dragon RNLI Annual Fishing Open, organised by members from Pembroke & District Angling Club, Osprey Sea Angling Club and Neyland Sea Angling Club, was held on Sunday (Feb 7) on Amroth beach in South Pembrokeshire.

This year, despite the date, the rugby and the weather, all of which one might have thought may have contributed to a decrease in both attendance and catches compared to last year and just four weeks earlier but, though attendance was indeed down, there were nearly as many fish caught at this match, despite the testing conditions, which though lovely at the start deteriorated during the day into a lot of wind and a raging surf.

However, the match was blessed in a way, in that it was fished in a just long enough break between storm Henry and storm Imogen.

The match also finished in time to watch the rugby on the big screen in the Amroth Arms, though the presentation and raffle had to wait until half time. Anyway, 22 out of the 68 anglers, compared to only 15 out of 78 in 2015, that fished, which included 3 ladies & 8 juniors (7 boys and a girl), managed to weigh in 26 sizeable fish as compared to 2015 when 21 were recorded and four weeks earlier when 23 anglers, from an entry of 91 weighed in 28 fish. So, as it turned out it, not a bad day all round.

The winning angler who managed to land 3 flounder for 1 Kg 160gms was a regular visitor from Bridgend, Jeff Stephens, netting him the first prize of £250. He also had the biggest flounder at 515gms taking the pool of £68. In second was a local angler, from Kilgetty, Andrew Jones, who landed 2 flounder for 885gms, allowing him to pick up the runner’s up prize of £75. In third place was another local and one of the organisers, Andrew Skeels who also had two flounder, but for 690gms, winning him £50.

No lady managed to weigh in but a couple of the Juniors did with John Mansbridge taking the £25 first prize with a fine Flounder of 500gms and Andrew Jones’s nephew Ryan taking the £15 second prize (both kindly donated by Shane Tucker) with a Flounder of 295gms. This, along with his uncle’s catch, was enough to give them the pair’s competition also, picking up another £60 for their combined 3 Flounders for 1 Kg 180gms. Second in the pairs was the other Andrew along with another of the organisers, John O’Connor, from Llanycefn, also with 3 Flounder, but for 1 Kg 085gms, giving them £40, with Jason Davies and Jamie Evans, third with 2 flounder for 830gms netting them £20.

However, the most important result on the day was that the event, which by the time the money is all in, will have raised over £800 for the Angle & Tenby lifeboats.

Thanks for this sterling effort go to our main sponsor Felinfoel Brewery along with their rep Jamie Owen for continuing to sponsor this event and congratulate the anglers from the organising clubs, you know who you are, together with Roger Harris of the Amroth Arms who always puts his premises and valued support at this event’s disposal, together with Liz Tallboys from the Tenby Lifeboat support group who ran the raffle.

Finally, we must again thank all the kind and generous sponsors of the event, including those already mentioned, who donated cash, made collections and donated prizes for the mega raffle which ensured continuation of the event’s great success. These were, in no particular order, Neyland and District Angling Club, Shane Tucker, Andrew Skeels, Steve “Paddy” Parry, Robbie Scale, Denis, Simon and Alex Nicholas, Haydn Cole, Roger Harries (Amroth Arms), John O’Connor, Leigh and Andrew Rogers, Andy Luxford, County Sports, Haverfordwest, Grainger Tubolt, Pembroke Dock, Country Stores, Gowerton, Ken Gainfort, The Brook Inn, St Ishmaels, The Sports Club, St Ishmaels, Peter Dunn Electrical, The Taberna Inn, Herbrandson, Dent Steel, Glyn Edwards Office Equipment, Milford Haven, and John and Sheila Mason. If anybody feels aggrieved that they have been missed off this list and we hope there isn’t, we are truly sorry, but thank you, most warmly, for your continued support.

News

Tenby station rebranded as ‘Home of Long Course Weekend’ in sustainable travel push

Published

10 hours ago

June 23, 2025

Herald Sport

Sporting event teams up with Transport for Wales to promote greener travel and boost local economy

TENBY Railway Station has been officially rebranded as The Home of Long Course Weekend in a new partnership between Transport for Wales (TfW) and the internationally renowned endurance festival.

The move is part of Long Course Weekend’s wider Sustainability Strategy, aimed at encouraging athletes, families and spectators to travel to Tenby by train—not only for the event itself but also for training breaks and year-round holidays in one of the UK’s most picturesque regions.

Launched in Tenby in 2010, Long Course Weekend has grown into a global phenomenon with editions in New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Mallorca and Yorkshire. Despite its international expansion, the event’s roots remain firmly in Wales, drawing over 50,000 visitors to Pembrokeshire each year and generating more than 160,000 bed nights annually—contributing millions to the local economy.

Now in its 15th year, the event is reaffirming its local commitment by transforming Tenby’s railway station into a branded celebration of sport, sustainability and community pride. The initiative comes as Transport for Wales increases services to the coastal town for the summer season.

Matthew Evans, founder of Long Course Weekend, said: “It’s incredible to see how far LCW has come, but Tenby is—and always will be—our first home. Partnering with TfW helps us open the door to a more sustainable future, inviting athletes, families and visitors to arrive in style while reducing their environmental impact. The increased train services this summer are fantastic for Tenby and for Pembrokeshire’s ambition to be a global leader in sustainable tourism.”

Victoria Leyshon, Partnership Marketing Manager at Transport for Wales, added:
“We’re thrilled to work with LCW to celebrate what makes Wales special—from world-class sporting events to stunning destinations like Tenby. By encouraging rail travel, we’re supporting a cleaner, greener Wales and welcoming thousands to an iconic coastal location.”

Tenby Mayor David Morgan welcomed the initiative, saying: “It’s great to see the strides made by Long Course Weekend and Transport for Wales—from the new station branding to the real improvements in local transport. Most importantly, the increased train services over the summer will benefit both visitors and the people who live here. We’re looking forward to another brilliant event.”

Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall added: “We are delighted to see LCW and TfW promoting sustainable travel for athletes year-round. It’s exactly the kind of forward-thinking partnership we should be celebrating.”

More than a station makeover, the project represents a gateway to Wales and a call to explore its landscapes—anchored in community, sport and sustainability.

Sport

Welsh Star Jack Wilson Ready to Inspire at British & Irish

Published

12 hours ago

June 23, 2025

Herald Sport

Para Badminton International in Cardiff this Summer

WITH one month to go until the British & Irish Para Badminton International in Cardiff, Welsh athlete Jack Wilson is preparing to take centre stage – not just to win, but to inspire.

Jack Wilson (age 30) from Wrexham, who competes in the SU5 category for athletes with upper limb impairments, has become a powerful voice in para sport. He is currently the only Welsh athlete on the GB para-badminton programme, and he will be one of seven GB athletes taking part in the British & Irish Para Badminton International in Cardiff this July.

Wilson, who also studied and lived in Cardiff, has Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games in his sight. He also hopes his journey to being a world class para-badminton player will show others what’s possible. He was one of the first Welsh para-athletes to break into able-bodied national tournaments, challenging perceptions and proving that disability doesn’t limit ambition.

“I grew up in a small village just outside Wrexham and didn’t really see anyone who looked like me doing sport,” Wilson says. “But I never saw myself as different—just someone who loved to play. Sport gave me confidence, and badminton gave me purpose. People often think para sport is just a version of something else, but we train just as hard, compete just as fiercely, and dream just as big. Being able to do that in front of a home crowd in Cardiff? That will be special.”

The British & Irish Para Badminton International, taking place from 22–26 July at the Sport Wales National Centre, is the biggest para badminton event ever held in Wales. It will bring together elite players from across the world as part of the official BWF Para Badminton World Circuit.

The event is made possible with the support of UK Sport and the Welsh Government, reinforcing Wales’ growing reputation as a hub for high-performance sport. Their backing along with Sport Wales, Disability Sport Wales and Yonex, will ensure the tournament will provide world-class facilities and opportunities for para-athletes while inspiring the next generation of players in Wales and beyond.

Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “The Welsh Government is delighted to support the British and Irish Para Badminton International, and to welcome world-class athletes to Wales. We are fully committed to ensuring that Wales has sporting opportunities for everyone, and we know that the event will inspire people from across Wales and the world.”

Wilson hopes the event will give greater visibility to the sport and increase participation in para badminton across the UK: “If there’s one person watching in the crowd or online who thinks, ‘Hey, maybe I can try this,’ then it’s all worth it. Para badminton changed my life. I want more people to know it’s out there. You just have to take that first step. And if I can help someone take it—then I’m doing my job.”

Wilson is calling on the public to show up, support, and get involved. Whether it’s watching world-class matches, volunteering at the event, or picking up a racket for the first time.

Tickets for the event cost between £1.00 and £5.00. Volunteers are also welcomed. For more information visit the Badminton Wales website: https://badminton.wales/british-irish-para-badminton-international-2025/

To find your local badminton club, and for more information visit Get Involved on the Badminton Wales website: https://badminton.wales/get-involved/

News

Welsh football fever arrives in Tenby and Carmarthen as giant Cymru shirt rolls into town

Published

13 hours ago

June 23, 2025

Herald Sport

TENBY and CARMARTHEN welcomed a unique celebration of Welsh women’s football this week, as the Ein Crys Cymru tour brought a giant inflatable national team shirt to town in the build-up to the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 tournament.

The giant red jersey—bearing the names of Wales’ Euro squad—was on display in Tenby Harbour on Sunday (June 22), attracting crowds throughout the day. Locals and tourists alike took the chance to pose for photos, record good luck messages, and get involved in football-themed activities for all ages.

The event, organised by the Football Association of Wales, is part of a nationwide tour celebrating Cymru’s historic qualification for this summer’s Euros in Switzerland. For many fans in Pembrokeshire, it was a rare opportunity to take part in a national football campaign close to home.

On Monday (June 23), the tour continued to Guildhall Square in Carmarthen, where Dyfed-Powys Police officers (PCSOs 8011 and 8134) were on hand to support the team’s message of unity and pride. Schools, youth clubs and families came together under the sun to show support for the players heading to the tournament next month.

Tour celebrates progress and pride

The Ein Crys Cymru tour began on June 19 beneath Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and is visiting 12 locations across Wales in the run-up to the squad’s opening match against the Netherlands on July 5. The shirt not only honours the current players, but also represents a turning point—just a few years ago, the women’s team played in ill-fitting men’s kits, without their names.

Now, they travel to Switzerland with national backing, bespoke kits, and growing recognition.

FAW officials say the tour is designed to “inspire a nation” and build support from the grassroots level up. Children in Tenby and Carmarthen were given free Euro 2025 wall planners, while local girls’ football teams joined in mini games and drills.

Where to see it next

The shirt is on display in Swansea today (June 24), with further stops planned across the country, including:

June 25 – Caernarfon
June 26 – Llandudno
June 27 – Wrexham
June 29 – Merthyr Tydfil
July 1 – Newport
July 5 – Cardiff Castle (finale)

Support continues to grow

With the Euros just around the corner, support for the Cymru squad is building across Wales. The Ein Crys Cymru tour is making sure no corner of the country is left out—and Pembrokeshire was proud to play its part.

For more information or to follow the shirt’s journey, visit: www.faw.cymru