Sport

Sports awards winners revealed

Published

8 years ago

November 29, 2017

THE achievements and hard work of sportspeople, coaches and volunteers in the county were celebrated at the prestigious Sport Pembrokeshire awards ceremony on Friday (Nov 24) – one of the highlights of the local sporting calendar.

Now in its 11th year, the gala ceremony at Folly Farm was attended by more than 600 guests, and hosted by Bill Carne and Cllr Huw George.

Fourteen award-winners were announced in a variety of categories, together with the winners of two special awards – the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Special Achievement Award.

The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award was Paralympian and former international Boccia champion, Jacob Thomas (main picture) of Bethesda near Narberth.

Jacob, aged 23, claimed several international titles and achieved a place in the final sixteen in the London 2012 Summer Paralympics prior to his retirement last year.

Among his successes were the coveted gold medal at the World Student Games in Brazil, the pairs’ bronze at the European Championships, and bronze and silver in the World Championships in Beijing.

Jacob was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Geoff Williams, Head of Sport at BBC Wales.

He praised Jacob’s exceptional achievements and said that he was a ‘true champion in every sense of the word’.

“With his extraordinary degree of skill, determination and perseverance, Jacob is quite simply one of the most inspirational figures ever to come before us in the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards,” said Geoff.

The Special Achievement Award, presented by the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Paul Harries, was won by Marie Tilley of Narberth.

Pictured is Marie Tilley, the winner of the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award, with the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Paul Harries.

After her sister and son were diagnosed with diabetes, Marie set up ‘Marie’s Mission’ in 2014, a quest to raise funds to help improve the treatment and diabetes and contribute towards finding a cure.

Since then, she has completed many endurance events, including cycling the punishing La Marmotte in France – 110 miles of mountainous terrain – and raised more than £15,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

She has also set up ‘Marie’s Marvels’ – a running and fitness group comprising more than 30 women – and is currently establishing two further fitness groups for youngsters.

“Her dedication to helping others, while managing her own son’s condition, is nothing short of inspirational,” said Cllr Harries.

The awards ceremony also featured a screening of a music video by Tom Fletcher, previously of McFly, featuring the amazing skills of Tenby WCMX champion Lily Rice, winner of the 2016 Junior (U16) Disability Sport Award.

Councillor Paul Miller, Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “The Sport Pembrokeshire awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of sportspeople across the County and recognise the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. I’d like to extend my warmest congratulations to all nominees, finalists and winners.”

The Sport Pembrokeshire awards were organised by Sport Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire County Council’s sport development team, which also sponsored the awards together with the Western Telegraph, Valero, Radio Pembrokeshire and Folly Farm.

The winner of the award was Libi Phillips (Wheelchair rugby), whose sister Madi accepted it on her behalf from Tom Rogers of Arriva Trains Wales. The finalists were Leon Davies (Gymnastics) and Antony Triebel (Gymnastics).

Sponsors of individual categories included Strength Academy Wales, Arriva Trains Wales, Sport Wales and the Pembrokeshire Youth Service.

The winners of the 14 award categories were:

Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2017 – Winners

Coach of the Year – Chris Barker (Squash)

Female Sporting Achievement – Abbie Williams (Triathlon)

Male Sporting Achievement – James Tomlinson (Athletics)

Boys (U16) Sporting Achievement – Iori Humphreys (Athletics)

Girls (U16) Sporting Achievement – Lowri Hart (Badminton)

Disability Sport Award – Jack Lloyd (Bowls)

Junior (U16) Disability Sport Award – Libi Phillips (Wheelchair Rugby)

Unsung Hero – Sam Rossiter (Cricket)

Club Organiser of the Year – Mel Marshalsey (Netball)

The award-winners Just Tri Junior Triathlon Club are pictured with David Walker from the Pembrokeshire Youth Service and Sion Jenkins from the Just Tri club.

Team Achievement of the Year – Sam and Daisy Coleman (Powerboating)

Junior (U16) Team Achievement of the Year – Ysgol Preseli under 16’s rugby team 2016/17

Contribution to School Sport award – Rick Walton

Student Contribution to School Sport award – Nina Garcia (Greenhill School)

Club of the Year – Just Tri Junior Triathlon Club

Related Topics:Achievement Awards Boys Club Coach Female Girls Lifetime Male Organiser pembrokeshire Sports Unsung Hero Winners

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Sport Pembrokeshire Awards finalists announced

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FINALISTS for this year’s Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been revealed, with 39 individuals and clubs shortlisted for honours at the annual celebration of local sporting achievement.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “A big thank you to everyone who sent in nominations. The judging panel had an extremely tough task narrowing down such a strong field of candidates.

“Pembrokeshire continues to punch above its weight when it comes to sporting prowess, and I’m sure the awards will once again showcase both on-field success and the incredible efforts of the volunteers and coaches who make it all possible.”

The winners will be unveiled at a gala ceremony at Folly Farm on November 28, organised by Sport Pembrokeshire.

The event is sponsored by Valero, Folly Farm, and Pure West Radio, and will also see the presentation of three special accolades — the School Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Chairman’s Special Achievement Award.

The awards recognise those who have excelled in sport over the past year or dedicated their time to coaching, organising, and supporting grassroots sport across the county.

Finalists (in alphabetical order)

Girls U16

Mary Falconer (Climbing)
Cerys Griffiths (Swimming)
Ava Tyrie (MMA)

Boys U16

Conor Cremona (Weightlifting)
Elijah Jones (Surfing)
Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)

Club of the Year

Carew Sports Club
Chaos Netball Club
Milford Haven Hockey Club

Junior Disability Award

Jake Evans (Llangwm RFC)
Jack Gray (Fishguard Thunderbolts)
Ella Meacham (Windswept Watersports)

Young Volunteer of the Year

Enfys Battelley-de Torres (Camrose AFC)
Alannah Field (Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club)
Alannah Heasman (Haverfordwest High School / Pembrokeshire College)

Junior Team

BJJ Pembrokeshire Junior MMA Team
HHVCS Year 7 Girls Rugby
Merlins Bridge FC Under-14s

Unsung Hero

Sarah Bagley (Windswept Watersports)
Geoff Daye (Lamphey Cricket Club)
Jenny Lewis (Clarbeston Road AFC)

Senior Team

East Williamston Short Mat Bowls Club
Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club
Pembrokeshire Hockey Club – Ladies 1s

Male Achievement

Llew Bevan (Darts)
Liam Bradley (Triathlon)
Reuben Lerwill (Gymnastics)

Female Achievement

Sanna Duthie (Running)
Ria Jones (Judo)
Amelia Nuttall (Sailing)

Disability Sport Award

Rachel Bailey (Boccia)
Evelyn Thomas (Weightlifting)
Hannah Webster (CrossFit)

Club Organiser

Huw Jones (Haverfordwest Golf Club)
Leanne Jones (Camrose AFC)
Silfan Rhys-Jones (Fishguard Table Tennis Club)

Coach of the Year

Jamie Barrellie (Tenby Sharks Girls Rugby)
Rob Codd (Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club)
James North (Kilgetty AFC)

Sport

BBC Cymru Wales to show festive Welsh URC derbies free-to-air

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2025

Herald Sport

WELSH rugby fans are set for a strong line-up of festive fixtures after BBC Cymru Wales confirmed it will broadcast three BKT United Rugby Championship derbies over Christmas and New Year.

The matches will be shown live on Scrum V Live as part of a co-exclusive agreement with Premier Sports, meaning both broadcasters will carry the games simultaneously. The fixtures include Cardiff v Scarlets on Thursday, 19 December at 7:45pm, Cardiff v Dragons on Boxing Day at 3:00pm, and Ospreys v Cardiff on New Year’s Day at 5:30pm.

All three programmes will be presented by Catrin Heledd, with commentary from Gareth Rhys Owen. Former Wales stars Alun Wyn Jones and Jonathan “Fox” Davies are among the guests lined up to offer analysis.

Garmon Rhys, Interim Director of BBC Cymru Wales, said the broadcaster was pleased to showcase the festive derbies once again. He said the games had become a key part of many Welsh households’ Christmas sporting traditions and praised the production teams delivering the live coverage.

United Rugby Championship chief executive Martin Anayi welcomed the arrangement, describing the derbies as an important part of the Welsh rugby calendar and saying the partnership would help the matches reach as wide an audience as possible.

Sport

Euro 2028: Historic opportunity for Wales to shine on world stage

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2025

Herald Sport

Calls for investment in transport as Principality Stadium confirmed as host

Wales is set to take centre stage in 2028 after UEFA confirmed that Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will host matches – including the opening game – of the Euro 2028 tournament.

The announcement has been welcomed across Welsh football, with senior figures saying the event will deliver a major boost to the economy, raise Wales’ global profile, and give supporters the chance to witness elite tournament football on home soil for the first time.

The Principality Stadium, which can host more than 70,000 spectators, was selected as part of the UK and Ireland joint bid. It will be the first time Wales has staged fixtures at a major men’s international tournament.

Transport concerns raised

Responding to the news, the Welsh Conservatives urged ministers in Cardiff Bay to address long-standing transport capacity issues and reconsider proposals for a tourism levy, arguing that both could affect the fan experience during the tournament.

Gareth Davies MS, the party’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and Sport, said: “This is fantastic news for Wales and will be a huge boost for the economy in Cardiff and beyond. It’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase our culture and our ability to host major international events on the world stage.

“We’ve already proven our credentials with the UEFA Champions League Final in 2017, and on an even bigger stage, I’m confident we can deliver an even better tournament experience.”

He added that Euro 2028 will be “a historic opportunity for Welsh fans to experience a major international tournament on home soil – something that will inspire a new generation of supporters and players alike.”

Davies said the Welsh Government should “rethink their toxic tourism tax to ensure visitors and fans can experience the best of Welsh hospitality.”

Background

The UK and Ireland were confirmed as hosts of Euro 2028 in October 2023 after Turkey withdrew from the bidding process. The tournament is expected to generate hundreds of millions of pounds in economic activity across the host nations through tourism, accommodation, transport, and hospitality spending.

Cardiff previously hosted the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final, the world’s largest annual sporting event, drawing an estimated 300,000 visitors to the city and providing a major test of transport and policing capabilities.

Exact fixtures for Euro 2028 will be confirmed closer to the tournament, but Cardiff’s opening match is expected to attract international attention and bring tens of thousands of overseas supporters to Wales.

Welsh Government ministers have previously said the tournament will be a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to showcase Wales on a global platform.