Sport

Touch Association announce six new patrons

Published

10 years ago

May 16, 2016

New Patrons: Welsh sporting legends unite

FIVE Welsh sporting legends and the leader of the Wales Commonwealth Games Squad are the new patrons of Wales Touch.

Former Wales rugby stars Shane Williams, Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies and Tom Shanklin will be lending their support to the growing sport along with Olympic athlete Jamie Baulch and Non Evans, who has represented Wales at rugby, judo, wrestling and weightlifting.

Professor Nicola Phillips, recently announced as Wales’ chef de mission for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia and currently supporting former Wales rugby union international Richard Parks’ latest expedition to Everest, is also on board.

All patrons have played or been involved with touch rugby and are big fans of the game.

So much so that former Welsh rugby union international and Ospreys wing Shane Williams is tempted to come out of retirement to play again for the Wales Touch side.

He said: “Touch rugby was always an important part of my training and rugby growing up and I don’t think we see enough people playing it in the northern hemisphere.

“I used to play a lot of touch as a warm up for Wales and the Ospreys and it’s such a great sport. Anyone can play it, it’s for men, women and children, it’s not physical and it doesn’t matter what standard of rugby you are, you can all play together.

“I love the game and as patron I really want to get involved both on and off the field, so may be dusting my boots off as time goes on.”

Touch is a fast, six-a-side, noncontact sport that can be played by men and women of all ages from juniors to veterans, including uniquely mixed teams of men and women.

There are five regions currently run by Wales Touch Association, which have individual clubs and leagues;

Cyclones and Warriors (Cardiff, Caerphilly, Merthyr, Rhondda, south Powys and Vale of Glamorgan)
Rangers (Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flint, Gwynedd, north Powys and Wrexham)
Rebels (Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea)
Red Kites (Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion)
Titans (Monmouth, Newport, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent) It is a good way to stay fit and is particularly popular with rugby union and league players to keep fitness and skills levels up in the summer months.

It’s also ideal for total novices and can be played by anyone. Patron and former Wales and Cardiff Blues outside centre, Tom Shanklin, said:

“Touch is incredible and I used to play it loads to warm up, develop my skills, keep fit and have fun. It’s based on the basic principles of rugby, it’s all about creating space, attacking, catching, passing, handling and agility but without the physicality of tackling.

“I love that it’s a mixed sport that can be played by all ages, shapes and abilities and I would encourage everyone to give it a go, it’s just a top sport.”

Former Wales rugby union and league star and broadcaster Jonathan Davies believes that playing touch rugby at a young age, like they do in the southern hemisphere, has a big impact on improving rugby players’ core skills.

He said: “If you look at players in the Southern and North hemisphere it’s like European and British football. They look comfortable on the ball, they try things they wouldn’t normally do, it’s just in their nature and that’s because they play Touch.

“It’s about assessing situations, looking for opportunities and space, and having the core skills to finish it off. That’s what the difference was between Australia and New Zealand in the World Cup and it’s down to playing Touch from a young age.”

Wales has a good standing in Touch and are currently European Champions in the over 40s and junior categories.

Wales Touch Association Managing Director John Francis said:

“We are delighted to have secured the support and enthusiasm of six such great patrons.

“Their profile and genuine love for the game will help us to encourage more people to get involved with Wales Touch Association.

“Clubs across Wales are always on the look out for new players and I would encourage anyone interested in sport to get involved. It’s a fun to way meet new people, develop new skills and even play for your country.”

Sport

Haverfordwest County Under-13 girls shine at final FAW festival

Published

15 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Women and Girls have praised their under-13s after another strong showing at the third and final FAW Festival of the season.

The young Bluebirds travelled to Colliers Park in Wrexham on Saturday (Apr 4), where they once again impressed with their performances.

Club officials said the girls had performed fantastically well throughout the season, adding that everyone at Haverfordwest County was incredibly proud of their efforts.

The squad for the day was Libby O, Ela I, Ines M, Mila E, Scarlett C, Rachel B, Lydia H, Lilly M, Zara E, Leila P and Lillie EJ.

Well done girls.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Friendly League week 22 results

Published

16 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

RESULTS from week 22 of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association Friendly League have been confirmed, with Badgers recording a comprehensive 10-0 win over Lamphey and St Twynnells edging past Cosheston 6-4.

An earlier fixture also saw Cosheston claim a 10-0 victory over Reynalton.

Several matches were postponed during the week, including Kilgetty v Carew, Llanteg v St Twynnells and Hundleton v East Williamston.

St Johns had the bye.

Latest results:
Cosheston 4 St Twynnells 6
Badgers 10 Lamphey 0
Cosheston 10 Reynalton 0

League table after week 22:
East Williamston — Played 19, Won 13, Drawn 0, Lost 6, Shot difference 169, Points 126
St Johns — Played 20, Won 12, Drawn 1, Lost 7, Shot difference 132, Points 118
Reynalton — Played 20, Won 8, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference 24, Points 99
St Twynnells — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 2, Lost 7, Shot difference 9, Points 99
Carew — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 9, Shot difference -12, Points 98
Hundleton — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 1, Lost 8, Shot difference -7, Points 97
Llanteg — Played 18, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 8, Shot difference -16, Points 95
Badgers — Played 20, Won 7, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -104, Points 89
Cosheston — Played 19, Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference -39, Points 88
Lamphey — Played 20, Won 9, Drawn 0, Lost 11, Shot difference -71, Points 80
Kilgetty — Played 19, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -85, Points 73

League officials have reminded clubs that all outstanding matches must be completed by midnight on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Sport

Amman United Youth suffer agonising semi-final defeat

Published

17 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

Cup final dream slips away as Newcastle Emlyn battle back to seal 20-19 win in windy Carmarthenshire Cup clash

AMMAN UNITED YOUTH saw their Carmarthenshire Cup final hopes ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday (Apr 4) as Newcastle Emlyn snatched a 20-19 victory in a dramatic semi-final.

Played in difficult, windy conditions, the contest was fiercely competitive throughout, with Amman left to rue a series of handling errors that allowed the visitors back into the game.

Newcastle Emlyn made the stronger start, taking an early 3-0 lead through a penalty and then missing a chance to add to their tally.

Amman responded well and took control of the first half. Captain Ceian Lewis crossed following a well-worked catch-and-drive to put his side 5-3 in front. Toby Slater then produced an excellent touchline conversion in tough conditions to extend the lead to 7-3.

Amman continued to build momentum when Harvey Duncan made a sharp break down the wing to score their second try. Slater was again on target with an impressive conversion in the wind, giving his side a 14-3 lead at the break.

But the game turned soon after the restart. A costly Amman mistake allowed Newcastle Emlyn back into the contest, with the visitors scoring in the corner before adding the conversion to close the gap to 14-10.

Amman appeared to have steadied themselves when Kelston Fairhurst powered over from another catch-and-drive, stretching the lead to 19-10.

However, Newcastle Emlyn refused to give in. Strong forward play brought them another try, and the conversion cut the deficit to just two points at 19-17 as the pressure mounted in the closing stages.

The decisive moment came in the final five minutes when another Amman handling error handed Emlyn a crucial opportunity. The visitors worked their way into range and slotted a late penalty to edge ahead 20-19.

Amman had one final chance to rescue the game and opted for a catch-and-drive from a late penalty, having already found success with that tactic earlier in the match. This time, though, Newcastle Emlyn held firm to deny them and secure their place in the final.

It was a bitter end for Amman United Youth, who had looked in control at half-time, but Newcastle Emlyn showed resilience and composure when it mattered most.