Sport

Minister’s warning on steroid abuse

Published

9 years ago

January 27, 2017

Rebecca Evans: ‘The use of IPEDs is not just a problem in sport – it is a wider societal issue’

REBECCA EVANS, Minister for Social Services and Public Health, has spoken out about a culture of image and performance enhancing drug (IPED) misuse that is threatening to damage the health of a generation.

Addressing a symposium at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, which brought together key partners committed to tackling the issue, Rebecca Evans said IPED-use is a growing problem – particularly in areas of South Wales.

Many IPED users are young men seeking to enhance their body image, or to improve their performance while participating in sport.

Research in Wales shows that of those accessing programmes for sterile injecting equipment for IPED use, 36% reported having started using IPEDs within the past three years – indicating an increase in usage.

There are significant harms associated with such use, including heart disease and liver damage, as well as those related to mental health, including increased aggression and depression. There is also the risk of infection from injecting drugs.

Speaking ahead of the symposium, Rebecca Evans said: “ The use of IPEDs is not just a problem in sport – it is a wider societal issue. There are a worrying number of young people, especially men, purchasing and taking illicit substances for image reasons and some then participating in community sport.

“We must reverse this culture of IPED use if we are to protect a generation of young people from the serious side effects they can cause.

“That is why I am pleased so many key partners are attending today’s symposium. Working in strong partnership with third sector, health, local government and sporting agencies, we can build on the good work already underway and tackle this issue head on.”

Public Health Wales has carried out significant work to address the problem of IPEDs, including the development of the IPED website to provide information and harm reduction advice for those using or considering the use of IPEDs.

Josie Smith, Head of Substance Misuse for Public Health Wales, said: “Over the past 20 years, we have become aware of increasing numbers of people using IPEDs across a wide demographic. Changing culture and increasing emphasis on male physique, as well as availability of anabolic steroids, growth hormone and new peptides have led to substantial increases both in use but also potentially in perceived pressure to use these drugs.

“It is vital that we ensure three things: that people are well informed and can access accurate information; that no one feels pressure to use IPEDs in order to look a certain way or improve performance; and that anyone using or considering IPED use is able to access and engage with health and other services to address concerns and make informed choices.”

Sport Wales is taking a zero-tolerance approach to IPED misuse in sport. Brian Davies, Director of Elite Sport at Sport Wales, commented: “These are key issues for us because at the heart of sport is fair competition, where people know their responsibilities and compete clean from performance enhancing drugs.

“Education, targeted testing and sporting bans are all tools that have been used to ensure the integrity of sport.

“But it is important that we understand the challenges being faced in our communities and the pressures of modern society, and we can only do this in partnership.

“Now we can make another step forward and amplify the need for people across Wales to be aware of these issues.”

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) is the UK’s national anti-doping organisation working across over 50 Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth and professional sports to deter and detect doping in sport. Nicole Sapstead, UKAD Chief Executive, said:

“UKAD continues to be concerned about the number of young people who are turning to steroids for performance or cosmetic enhancement.

“Not only is it a serious issue for sport but it is becoming a serious issue for our society and a generation of young people.

“Today’s symposium is a critical part in combatting IPED use in Wales and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate and discuss the issue with a number of partners in Wales.

“This is a positive step forward in combatting this worrying trend as the use of IPEDs does not fall to one particular agency or organisation to solve. We all play our part in safeguarding the health of our young people.”

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls results – Week Seven

Published

2 days ago

November 7, 2025

Herald Sport

THE LATEST round of fixtures in the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – known affectionately as The Friendly League – produced another week of close contests and impressive performances across the county.

Last week’s results were as follows:
Badgers 6–4 Llanteg, Lamphey 8–2 Reynalton, St Johns 8–2 Kilgetty, St Twynnells 2–8 East Williamston, and Cosheston 10–0 Carew.
Hundleton had a bye.

After seven weeks of play, East Williamston continue to lead the standings with five wins from five matches, boasting a shot difference of +62 and 44 points. They are followed by Reynalton in second place on 35 points, while Cosheston sit close behind on 29.

The full table after Week Seven is:

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Shot Difference	Points
East Williamston	5	5	0	+62	44
Reynalton	6	4	2	+34	35
Cosheston	5	3	2	+40	29
Carew	5	3	2	-18	28
St Twynnells	6	3	3	-44	27
Llanteg	5	2	3	-6	25
Badgers	6	2	4	-31	23
St Johns	4	2	2	+8	21
Hundleton	5	2	3	-20	20
Kilgetty	5	2	3	-34	19
Lamphey	6	2	4	-35	19

This week marks Catch-Up Week One, giving clubs the opportunity to complete outstanding fixtures.

Looking ahead, two tournaments are scheduled for the end of the month:
the Handicap Fours, to be held at St Johns, and the South Pembrokeshire Fours, which will take place at Heatherton on successive weekends. Entry forms for the South Pembrokeshire Fours will be distributed on Monday.

Report by Steve Cox, League Fixtures Secretary.

News

Teen rally star Henri Cynwyl celebrates another podium finish

Published

2 days ago

November 7, 2025

Tom Sinclair

APPRENTICE electrician and rising rally star, 17-year-old Henri Cynwyl from Ponthirwaun, has secured yet another podium finish — this time at the Kevin Ephraim Memorial Toyota Harlech Stages, alongside co-driver Catrin Price, where the pair finished in second place.

Henri has led the Junior F1000 UK Championship throughout the season, and the final round at Anglesey this weekend will determine the overall winner.

“I have to use a drop score on one of the days, so what will be will be,” said Henri, who recently co-drove at Rali Ceredigion with local man Andrew Davies, and also finished third in class co-driving on the Tour of Epynt with Kyle Green.

Reflecting on his progress, Henri added: “It’s been a year of learning and having invaluable advice from my mentor, James Williams. I’ll be sad to move on to the seniors, but I’m relishing the challenge and can’t wait for the 2026 season to start.”

Over the weekend, Henri added another strong result to his record, taking a podium finish with co-driver Dilwyn John at the Llandeilo Motor Club Towy Legends Targa event at Pembrey, where they finished 21st overall and third in class — an impressive result in Henri’s first ever senior event.

“It’s been a terrific year and I’ve made so many memories, friends and contacts,” he said. “Every rally is different, and the weather has been challenging on many of them, but I’ve learnt a lot. I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported me on my journey – from my co-drivers to my service crews, especially Josh Clarke from Castle Motors, Newcastle Emlyn, who has driven hundreds of miles, and to all of my sponsors for backing my rallying career.”

Community

Second cricket pitch will make Pembrokeshire cricket club ‘future proof’

Published

2 days ago

November 7, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for a second cricket pitch at a successful Pembrokeshire club to let it “future-proof” its growth have been given the go-ahead.

In an application recommended for approval at the November 3 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Chris Richards, on behalf of Cresselly Cricket Club, sought permission to convert a field to a second pitch at the club.

A supporting statement said: “The Committee at Cresselly Cricket Club over the past five years has been extensively promoting the game of cricket particularly aiming at grass roots level in the local community.

“Our approach has been extremely successful and as a result we currently have four senior teams, ladies team, 10 junior teams, together with the All Stars/Dynamos Programme.

“As a result of our success we have to ground share, but we are finding this increasingly difficult, so our aspiration of the club is to have its own designated second cricket pitch alongside our existing facility.

“This will provide more playing opportunities and enable us to be in control of the second pitch, but more importantly future proof and support our continued growth without reliance on other clubs who are also expanding and may want their facility for their own use in the future.”

It says the land will only be used as a cricket pitch with no permanent buildings being constructed.

Local community council Jeffreyston unanimously supported the proposal.

An officer report said the proposal would result in the loss of some best and most versatile agricultural land but that is balanced against “the importance of recreational spaces and outdoor facilities in terms of health, well-being and amenity”.

It concluded: “Whilst the proposal would result in the loss of agricultural land, the scheme would provide significant social benefits for the well-being and health of the community. The scheme would have a low impact on the landscape and upon the amenities of nearby residents.”