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Wales Women 7s squad announced for Lisbon

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THE Wales Women 7s squad has been named ahead of the Rugby Europe Sevens Championship Series opener in Lisbon this weekend (5-6 June).

Head coach Warren Abrahams has named a squad brimming with potential, with Worcester Warriors’ Alex Callender handed the captaincy. With this tournament offering a route to qualification for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, there is plenty of incentive for the Welsh girls.

The first leg of the Women’s Championship, which was formerly known as the Grand Prix, will feature nine teams from across the continent with Wales featuring in Pool B alongside Poland and Belgium.

Wales’ first match of the day will be against Poland (10.22am local time), before taking on Belgium later in the afternoon (12.22pm local time).

“It’s always exciting for the girls to be part of a journey like this and a privilege to wear the Wales badge,” said Abrahams.

“The game of sevens brings out a lot of excitement – it is going to be a short and intense campaign but it is going to be a lot of fun and pretty exciting.

“This campaign presents an opportunity to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and we’re really lucky to be in this position – we have got to take this opportunity with both hands.

“I’m always confident of these girls and although we had some tough times during the Six Nations campaign, this group has a hell of a lot of potential and it’s my responsibility along with the rest of the coaching group to unlock that potential. That potential is what fuels us as we keep finding ways of unlocking the potential and making sure our players are in the best possible position for these two games against Poland and Belgium on day one.”

WRU CEO Steve Phillips, added: “It’s great to see this group of players and management team coming through the other side of COVID with resilience and grit. The pandemic has wreaked havoc with their aspirations but they are now within touching distance of reaching their ultimate goal – qualification for the Commonwealth Games would be just reward for this remarkable group of players.”

Wales Women’s 7s squad for Lisbon

Alisha Butchers (Bristol Bears)

Alex Callender (Worcester Warriors – Capt)

Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Bethan Dainton (Harlequins)

Georgia Evans (Saracens

Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Caitlin Lewis (Unattached)

Jade Mullen (Harlequins)

Lisa Neumann (Sale Sharks)

Kayleigh Powell (Bristol Bears)

Shona Powell-Hughes (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Megan Webb (Unattached)

Robyn Wilkins (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Rugby Europe Sevens Championship Series

Pools:

Pool A: Russia, Germany, Romania

Pool B: Poland, Belgium, Wales

Pool C: Scotland, Spain, Portugal

The tournament will be live streamed on Rugby Europe TV

Sport

Double podium finish for local rally driver

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A 20-HOUR round trip to Machrihanish Airbase in Campbeltown, Scotland, proved more than worthwhile for 17-year-old rally driver Henri Cynwyl, who returned to Wales with two podium finishes.

Henri, from Ponthirwaun, claimed third place on both days of competition in the British Junior Championship and the 1000cc Ecosse Challenge, strengthening his lead in the F1000 British Junior Championship.

The two-day Mach1 Stages Rally was organised by Dunfermline Car Club, with 31 F1000 members taking to the fast tarmac stages of the airbase, cheered on by a warm Scottish welcome.

“I’m really pleased,” said Henri, who was co-driven by Geraint Evans from Bala. “The stages were long, and I much prefer long stages to short ones as I get into a flow. The fast tarmac really suited my car.”

Now in his second and final year in the championship, Henri is backed by a number of local businesses from the Cardigan area.

“I’m so grateful to all of my sponsors and team,” he said. “The car is prepared by Castle Motors in Newcastle Emlyn, and we’ve just welcomed Pembrokeshire College as one of my new sponsors for 2025.”

Henri is currently undertaking an apprenticeship as an electrician with both Pembrokeshire College and DJ Hoyland.

The next round of the F1000 Championship will take place at Wheaton Barracks in Blackpool at the start of August.

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Sport

Kilgetty AFC Women score new Lucozade kit thanks to Tenby Post Office Stores

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Local nomination supports grassroots football in Pembrokeshire

KILGETTY AFC Women’s Team has received a brand-new Lucozade Sport Kit, thanks to a nomination by Tenby Post Office Stores and local supporter Fiona Malone.

The donation includes reusable drinks bottles, bibs, a football carrier bag, a kit bag, and bottles of Lucozade Sport – part of a UK-wide initiative that saw only ten teams selected to receive the sports kits.

‘A natural choice’

Fiona Malone, who nominated the team, said: “We were really happy to nominate Kilgetty AFC Women’s football team when we were asked by Lucozade. My son plays for Kilgetty Under-13s, and the whole club is incredibly inclusive, so when Lucozade asked, we immediately thought of the women’s team.”

The kit was officially handed over on Sunday (July 13) during the club’s Chwarae FOR HER Wales v England watch party at Kilgetty AFC Football Club, Kingsmoor Sports Club.

Team thanks local backers

A spokesperson for Kilgetty AFC Women said: “We are very grateful to receive all of the items from Tenby Post Office Stores and Lucozade. We particularly appreciate the reusable drinks bottles and Lucozade Sport drinks – we’ve been bringing our own, or using the men’s bottles. The bibs are great, and the new bags will be really useful. Thank you!”

Backed by the community

The women’s team continues to grow as part of the wider female football movement in Wales, supported by local businesses and groups. Ongoing kit sponsorship for the girls’ teams has come from Ty Francis and New York Welsh, while Tesco Stronger Starts funding and FAW grants have supported equipment and coach education.

The women’s team has also received training kit sponsorship from Kilgetty WI, and playing kit and volunteer support from Saundersfoot Rotary.

Each of these donations, including the new Lucozade kit, is helping transform grassroots football – building players’ skills, boosting confidence, and creating a stronger sense of belonging through sport.

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Community

Rugby stars to headline community talk in Newport, Pembrokeshire

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THIS Wednesday evening, July 16 at 7pm, join Welsh TV personalities Rhodri and Lucy Owen for a bilingual Q&A with international rugby stars Josh Macleod, Stephen Varney, and Macs Page at Canolfan Bethlehem (formerly the Old Bethlehem Chapel) in Newport, Pembrokeshire.

The evening, part of the Lecol Heroes series, will offer a unique opportunity to hear from these rising rugby stars as they share their journeys from local lads to international pros. The trio—who all have strong connections to the Pembrokeshire area—will discuss their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the world of rugby, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at their careers.

The event will be hosted by Rhodri and Lucy Owen, and attendees will have the chance to ask questions to the players. The event is open to the public, with tickets priced at £10 for adults and £5 for secondary school students.

Canolfan Bethlehem, a vital community venue in the heart of Newport, has quickly become a focal point for local events. After the former chapel was bought and renovated by a dedicated group of locals in 2024, it reopened as a community centre in February 2025. This will be one of the many events held at the venue, which continues to grow in popularity.

Don’t miss this unique evening filled with rugby passion, pride, and a few laughs along the way. Join us at Capel Bethlehem, Upper West Street, Newport, Pembrokeshire this Wednesday at 7pm!

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