Sport

Wales Women continue to build with key appointments

Published

4 years ago

February 11, 2021

FORMER Wales back row Geraint Lewis and former Bristol Bears’ Athletic Performance Coach Sam Dodge have joined Warren Abrahams’ Wales Women coaching team as assistant coach (forwards) and physical performance lead respectively.

Lewis, who, as a WRU performance coach was part of the Wales Women coaching team throughout last season alongside other performance commitments, will now focus solely on this role as Wales Women prepare for the rescheduled Women’s Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup later this year.

Prior to joining Bristol Bears, where he played a key part in their European Challenge Cup and domestic success in recent years, Sam Dodge worked as a WRU strength and conditioning coach for RGC academy and also supported Wales Women.

WRU General Manager, Women and Girls, Charlotte Wathan said, “As we look to accelerate the development of the women’s performance programme, building a strong, dynamic team is a key objective. We’re recruiting people with expertise and knowledge within their field in order to support our long-term aim of closing the performance gap with the top nations in international women’s rugby.

Wales Women head coach Warren Abrahams said, “These are very exciting appointments. Geraint is experienced in the women’s programme already and his in-depth knowledge as a forwards coach, and his line-out nous in particular will be vital for the programme going forward. He brings an added dimension to the coaching team and the more diverse we are as a unit, the more exceptional we will become as a coaching group.

“Sam too is a brilliant appointment. He is an exceptional strength and conditioning talent with a solid philosophy and has experienced a winning performance environment at Bristol which we will gain from in the women’s game. Having cut his teeth with Wales Women’s as an intern, it’s great to see him back in the programme as we strive to raise standards across the women’s game in Wales.”

Geraint Lewis said, “I always feel honoured to be part of any Welsh national side and I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to be part of Warren’s coaching team at such an exciting time for the women’s game internationally.

“I learned a lot from my time with the women’s programme last season and I hope to use that experience to make a greater impact this time around. I’ve worked with some fantastic individuals in my career but it’s always good to work with new people as I continue to develop as a coach.”

Lewis is looking forward to being part of the new-look Women’s Six Nations in April.

“It will be exciting to play in a stand-alone tournament and in a new format too. Playing France will give us a great benchmark as to where we are as a team and Ireland are improving all the time. With the play-off game at the end too, these games will be vital after a year without international fixtures and ahead of the Rugby World Cup in September.”

Sam Dodge, who will work with WRU Head of Physical Performance Paul Stridgeon with the aim of creating a world-class physical performance programme for female players said, “Having thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bristol, I’m very excited by the new challenge of this role.

“There is enormous potential in the women’s game in Wales, and with the new coaching team in place and the WRU’s investment into the female game, there is huge scope to make a big difference in a relatively short amount of time. We have some talented players and excellent athletes in Wales and my aim is to build a world-leading national programme to ensure there is no stone unturned to help the players reach their full potential.

News

Residents reminded of IRONMAN Wales road restrictions

Published

2 days ago

September 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IRONMAN Wales returns to Pembrokeshire in just over a week and there will be full and partial road closures in and around the south of the County.

IRONMAN Wales will be held on Sunday, 22^nd September with thousands of athletes from all over the world taking part in a 2.3mile swim, followed by a 112mile bike ride before finishing with a 26.2mile run.

The swim starts at 7.30am and the predicted last finisher time is around 1am the following morning.

Full information outlining road closures and alternative routes available across the course is available on the IRONMAN website (opens in new window) to help residents plan their travel ahead of the event.

The A40 and A477 will remain open and are unaffected to facilitate access east-west throughout the event.

Emergency services will maintain full access.

Due to the road closure it will not be possible for the 387/8 (Coastal Cruiser) bus service to operate on Sunday 22^nd September. The service will operate as normal on Saturday 21^st and Monday 23^rd September.

The bike course closure map (opens in new window) and run course closure map can also be downloaded from ironman.com

There will also be restrictions in Tenby town centre on Saturday 21^st when IRONKIDS from across the county take part in their running races.

A park and ride shuttle bus will be running on Saturday and Sunday from Carew Airfield and Saundersfoot.

If you have any IRONMAN Wales access questions, please contact [email protected] or call 03330 11 66 00 and provide the following details:

Name
Telephone Number
Journey Start Postcode
Journey End Postcode
Time of Departure
Details of Enquiry

Please note the e-mail address will not be monitored on the event weekend so please plan ahead.

Sport

Thrills, spills, and big wins: Pembrokeshire Division Two heats up

Published

3 days ago

September 12, 2024

Herald Sport

LAST weekend’s action in Pembrokeshire Division Two delivered an exhilarating mix of high-scoring encounters, closely fought draws, and dominant displays, as the league standings begin to take shape.

Merlin’s Bridge Reserves 3-3 Camrose

The highly anticipated local derby between Merlin’s Bridge Reserves and league leaders Camrose did not disappoint, ending in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Camrose, still unbeaten at the top, looked set to secure the win after a brace from James Williams and a strike from Lewis Watts. But Merlin’s Bridge, determined to salvage a point, fought back through captain Morgan Richards. His two-goal performance, capped by a dramatic last-minute equaliser, ensured the Wizards shared the spoils in this action-packed affair.

Fishguard Sports 2-2 Hakin United Reserves

At Tregroes, Fishguard Sports and Hakin United Reserves played out a hard-fought 2-2 stalemate. Both sides remain unbeaten in a game where neither could find the breakthrough to secure all three points. Hakin’s youthful squad showed resilience, earning a commendable point against the more seasoned Fishguard team. Phil Jones’ men now sit fourth in the standings, while Hakin leapfrog to second.

Narberth 9-0 Lawrenny

Narberth delivered the weekend’s most emphatic result, thrashing newly promoted Lawrenny 9-0 at Jesse Road. Jordan Williams and Steff Williams each netted twice, while substitute Jacob Layfield came off the bench to bag a brace of his own. This devastating performance lifts Narberth to third, while Lawrenny, still without a point, languish at the foot of the table, enduring a tough baptism in Division Two.

Neyland 3-1 Johnston

Neyland secured a solid 3-1 home victory over Johnston, with the visitors still struggling to adapt to life in Division Two following their recent relegation. Johnston, with just one win from four matches, found themselves unable to match Neyland’s composure and quality. The result leaves them in the lower half of the table, while Neyland continue to build momentum.

Solva 6-2 Broad Haven

Solva’s impressive start to the season continued with a commanding 6-2 win over Broad Haven. Following their promotion, Solva have emerged as early dark horses, their strong performances keeping them within touching distance of the top spots. For an in-depth report on this feature match, head to our sports section.

Carew Reserves 3-0 Monkton Swifts Reserves

Carew Reserves finally notched their first win of the season with a comfortable 3-0 victory over an out-of-sorts Monkton Swifts Reserves. Last season’s league champions, Monkton, seem a shadow of their former selves, managing just one win from four outings as they continue to struggle to rediscover last year’s form.

With Camrose setting the early pace and several sides showing potential, Pembrokeshire’s Division Two is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive contest this season. Stay tuned for more twists and turns as the battle for promotion heats up.

Sport

Goals galore and dominant displays in Pembrokeshire’s Division One

Published

4 days ago

September 11, 2024

Herald Sport

THE latest round of Pembrokeshire Division One action saw some thrilling performances, with high-scoring victories and crucial wins that are already shaping the season’s outlook. Here’s a breakdown of all the key moments from the weekend’s fixtures.

Hakin United Make a Statement with 8-0 Win Over Clarbeston Road

Hakin United delivered an emphatic message to the rest of the league as they dismantled last year’s Senior Cup winners, Clarbeston Road, with a staggering 8-0 victory at the Obs. The Vikings were in full control from the first whistle, and their offensive firepower was on full display.

Alfie Stotter was the standout performer, grabbing a hat-trick and establishing himself as a key player for Hakin this season. His clinical finishing and sharp movement were too much for the Clarby defense, who struggled to contain the relentless pressure. This dominant win signals Hakin’s clear intent to challenge for the title this year, as they continue to set the pace at the top.

Carew edge past Merlins Bridge for first win

Carew claimed their first victory of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Merlins Bridge. It was a tightly contested affair, with both sides creating chances, but it was Leon Davies who made the difference for the visitors. His goal proved decisive as Carew held on to secure three valuable points, leaving Merlins Bridge frustrated after failing to find an equalizer.

Milford United cruise past Kilgetty

Milford United secured their second win of the campaign, overcoming Kilgetty 2-0 at Marble Hall. It was a solid performance from the home side, with goals from Parr and Sam Davies sealing the win. Milford looked composed throughout and managed the game well, ensuring Kilgetty left without any reward. The result boosts Milford’s position in the table, as they aim to build momentum early in the season.

Monkton Swifts add to St Ishmaels’ woes

Monkton Swifts piled more misery on a struggling St Ishmaels side, cruising to a 4-1 victory. The win leaves St Ishmaels rooted to the bottom of the table, still without a point this season. Monkton were dominant from the outset and showed no mercy as they took control of the game early on. St Ishmaels will need to find answers quickly if they are to avoid a relegation battle.

Goodwick United secure 2-0 win over Pennar Robins

Goodwick United continued their steady start to the season with a solid 2-0 win over Pennar Robins at Bush Camp, which was our feature match this week. Goodwick looked in control for most of the game and managed to break through the Pennar defense with two well-taken goals. Be sure to check out the full match report on our sports page for a detailed look at how the game unfolded.

Tenby maintain perfect start with 5-0 victory over Herbie

Tenby maintained their perfect start to the season with a commanding 5-0 win over Herbie at the Clicketts. Spencer Williams led the charge with a brace, while Hipkiss and Leahy also got on the scoresheet. Tenby were in full flow, showcasing their attacking prowess and leaving Herbie with no answers. The result leaves Herbie at the bottom of the table without a point, while Tenby sit joint top with a perfect record.