Community

College educates footballers in the Malaysian rainforest

Published

11 years ago

May 23, 2014

PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE has been recruiting international students for over twenty years. From the United Arab Emirates, China and Hong Kong, the usual countries that educational institutions recruit from – but the rainforest in Malaysia, now this must surely be a first!

Travel one hour east of Kuala Lumpur to Janda Baik and you will find yourself in the heart of a tropical rainforest where your senses will be overwhelmed by the vibrancy of the tropical flora and fauna and the undeniable scent of Durian (the only fruit banned by most hotels in South East Asia).

However, what you won’t be expecting to stumble across in this tropical setting is a 12-acre clearing, 600–800 meters above sea level – the home to a modern floodlit football academy.

Frenz Football Academy opened its doors in 2011 to offer young and talented Malaysian footballers the opportunity to develop their sporting prowess alongside achieving academic qualifications.

“The emphasis on a robust educational programme is what makes the club stand apart from so many other sports academies. Our vision is to revive Malaysian football to international standards. We believe a solid professional football training program coupled with quality education will get us world-class football champions from among our youth,” said Sopiah Suid, Director of Education at Frenz.

Although situated 7,000 miles away in west Wales, Pembrokeshire College developed a bespoke package for privately owned Frenz Football Academy. The students, who are fully sponsored, are able to commence on a bridging programme that focuses on English reading, writing and study skills; strong students’ progress directly onto blended iGCSE subjects (online and classroom based) and others to a preparation for iGCSE programme.

Pembrokeshire College worked closely with the Academy to develop a blended learning programme that took into account the demands of a rapidly developing football team at a time when they were starting to be recognised by the Malaysian football league as a serious squad with big ambitions.

Alongside playing matches at home and abroad, hosting friendly games with clubs such as Liverpool u18s, and being coached by world-class footballers including Steve McManaman, the boys have been more than eager to put some of their energy into their studies. McManaman is the Frenz Academy technical advisor whose main focus is to scout for young talent, across Malaysia and Indonesia for the club.

“The opportunity to transport the benefits of a British education from one remote corner of the earth to another has been both challenging and rewarding; we feel privileged to be part of such an exciting project,” said Hayley Williams, International, Pembrokeshire College.

Frenz now have plans to expand their football philosophy to Indonesia with a little help from their friends at Pembrokeshire College.

Community

Milford Haven and Neyland Police issue appeal for missing man

Published

21 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a 54-year-old man who has been reported missing from the Milford Haven area.

Neil is described as being around 6ft 2in tall with a shaved head. He has tattoos on his arms and one of his fingers, and sometimes wears glasses.

He was last seen on Friday afternoon (Apr 26) wearing a black Superdry hoodie, ripped jeans, and orange and black Nike Air trainers. Neil is believed to be on foot.

Anyone with information that could help is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police: 🖥️ | Online portal
📧 | [email protected]
📞 | Call 101, quoting reference 262 of April 26.

Community

Fire service delivers vital kit to Ukraine

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Wales joins UK’s largest firefighting aid convoy

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has taken part in the UK’s largest ever convoy delivering vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, joining 17 other Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) from across the country.

The convoy, coordinated by FIRE AID and supported by the UK Government, left the UK in early April. It travelled through France, Germany and Poland, delivering over 30 fire service vehicles and more than 15,000 items of equipment to support Ukrainian firefighters on the front line of the ongoing war.

Since the Russian invasion in 2022, UK fire services have donated 119 vehicles and over 200,000 pieces of equipment to Ukraine. Each participating service ensured local needs were met before donating surplus kit.

Watch Manager Rob Kershaw represented MAWWFRS on the convoy. He said:
“It’s been a privilege to be part of this convoy and to represent both FIRE AID and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
We received invaluable support and assistance from fire and police services across every country we passed through. Their help in coordinating, escorting, and hosting the convoy was outstanding.”

Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas KFSM added:
“MAWWFRS is proud to support our colleagues in Ukraine by donating and delivering essential equipment.
The events in Ukraine have deeply affected the fire and rescue community, and this convoy is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to helping those still working under extreme conditions.”

The donated equipment will support firefighters in Ukraine who continue to operate in war zones to save lives and protect property—often at great personal risk. Since the conflict began, 100 Ukrainian firefighters have been killed and 431 injured. A total of 411 fire stations and 1,700 firefighting vehicles have been destroyed.

Community

Trefin to host VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TREFIN and surrounding communities will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a full day of commemorative events on Thursday, May 8—culminating in the lighting of a coastal beacon.

The local programme closely mirrors events happening across the UK to honour Victory in Europe Day, marking the end of World War II in Europe on May 8, 1945.

The day will begin at 9:00am in the centre of Trefin with the reading of the VE Day 80 Proclamation, Together We Stand, followed by the raising of a special VE Day 80 flag to unite the nation in remembrance of those who sacrificed so much during the war.

At 12 noon, in Trefin Square, piper LCpl Spencer of Cawdor Barracks will perform Celebratum, a tune specially composed for the occasion.

At 6:30pm, Llanrhian Church bell will ring out in unison with churches and cathedrals across the UK. Simultaneously in Trefin Square, the “Lamp Light of Peace” will be blessed, and a handbell performance by local adults and children will take place. Participants are encouraged to wear wartime-style clothing, with prizes awarded for the best costumes.

Evening celebrations will then move to The Ship Inn, where a fish and chip supper will be served (advance booking and payment required). A display of wartime memorabilia will also be available to view.

At around 8:00pm, the community will proceed from The Ship Inn to Penlac field, overlooking the coast, for the continuation of the festivities. Attendees will be invited to sample the official Women’s Institute VE Day 80 Orange and Ginger Cake. Warm clothing is recommended.

There will be music from the wartime era, and local choir Côr y Felin will lead a singalong of well-known songs from the period. Representatives from each decade since the end of the war will read the VE Day 80 Global Tribute, joining communities across the world. A minute’s silence will be held in memory of those who did not return home, followed by a bugler performing the Last Post and Reveille. The piper will then play Flowers of the Forest.

Just before the lighting of the beacon at 9:30pm, the community will join nearly 1,000 choirs across the UK in singing I Vow to Thee, My Country. The coastal beacon is part of the official chain being lit across the country and worldwide (in respective time zones). The “Lamplight of Peace” will also be lit in solidarity with lanterns around the globe.

Those wishing to continue the celebrations can return to The Ship Inn afterwards.

Organisers are encouraging all attendees to dress in wartime-themed attire throughout the day, with a prize for the best-dressed individual.

The events are being coordinated by the Gwelliant Trefin Improvement Group (GTI) and Llanrhian Connected Community. All are welcome.