Sporting event teams up with Transport for Wales to promote greener travel and boost local economy

TENBY Railway Station has been officially rebranded as The Home of Long Course Weekend in a new partnership between Transport for Wales (TfW) and the internationally renowned endurance festival.

The move is part of Long Course Weekend’s wider Sustainability Strategy, aimed at encouraging athletes, families and spectators to travel to Tenby by train—not only for the event itself but also for training breaks and year-round holidays in one of the UK’s most picturesque regions.

Launched in Tenby in 2010, Long Course Weekend has grown into a global phenomenon with editions in New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Mallorca and Yorkshire. Despite its international expansion, the event’s roots remain firmly in Wales, drawing over 50,000 visitors to Pembrokeshire each year and generating more than 160,000 bed nights annually—contributing millions to the local economy.

Now in its 15th year, the event is reaffirming its local commitment by transforming Tenby’s railway station into a branded celebration of sport, sustainability and community pride. The initiative comes as Transport for Wales increases services to the coastal town for the summer season.

Matthew Evans, founder of Long Course Weekend, said: “It’s incredible to see how far LCW has come, but Tenby is—and always will be—our first home. Partnering with TfW helps us open the door to a more sustainable future, inviting athletes, families and visitors to arrive in style while reducing their environmental impact. The increased train services this summer are fantastic for Tenby and for Pembrokeshire’s ambition to be a global leader in sustainable tourism.”

Victoria Leyshon, Partnership Marketing Manager at Transport for Wales, added:
“We’re thrilled to work with LCW to celebrate what makes Wales special—from world-class sporting events to stunning destinations like Tenby. By encouraging rail travel, we’re supporting a cleaner, greener Wales and welcoming thousands to an iconic coastal location.”

Tenby Mayor David Morgan welcomed the initiative, saying: “It’s great to see the strides made by Long Course Weekend and Transport for Wales—from the new station branding to the real improvements in local transport. Most importantly, the increased train services over the summer will benefit both visitors and the people who live here. We’re looking forward to another brilliant event.”

Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall added: “We are delighted to see LCW and TfW promoting sustainable travel for athletes year-round. It’s exactly the kind of forward-thinking partnership we should be celebrating.”

More than a station makeover, the project represents a gateway to Wales and a call to explore its landscapes—anchored in community, sport and sustainability.

Para Badminton International in Cardiff this Summer

WITH one month to go until the British & Irish Para Badminton International in Cardiff, Welsh athlete Jack Wilson is preparing to take centre stage – not just to win, but to inspire.

Jack Wilson (age 30) from Wrexham, who competes in the SU5 category for athletes with upper limb impairments, has become a powerful voice in para sport. He is currently the only Welsh athlete on the GB para-badminton programme, and he will be one of seven GB athletes taking part in the British & Irish Para Badminton International in Cardiff this July.

Wilson, who also studied and lived in Cardiff, has Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games in his sight. He also hopes his journey to being a world class para-badminton player will show others what’s possible. He was one of the first Welsh para-athletes to break into able-bodied national tournaments, challenging perceptions and proving that disability doesn’t limit ambition.

“I grew up in a small village just outside Wrexham and didn’t really see anyone who looked like me doing sport,” Wilson says. “But I never saw myself as different—just someone who loved to play. Sport gave me confidence, and badminton gave me purpose. People often think para sport is just a version of something else, but we train just as hard, compete just as fiercely, and dream just as big. Being able to do that in front of a home crowd in Cardiff? That will be special.”

The British & Irish Para Badminton International, taking place from 22–26 July at the Sport Wales National Centre, is the biggest para badminton event ever held in Wales. It will bring together elite players from across the world as part of the official BWF Para Badminton World Circuit.

The event is made possible with the support of UK Sport and the Welsh Government, reinforcing Wales’ growing reputation as a hub for high-performance sport. Their backing along with Sport Wales, Disability Sport Wales and Yonex, will ensure the tournament will provide world-class facilities and opportunities for para-athletes while inspiring the next generation of players in Wales and beyond.

Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “The Welsh Government is delighted to support the British and Irish Para Badminton International, and to welcome world-class athletes to Wales. We are fully committed to ensuring that Wales has sporting opportunities for everyone, and we know that the event will inspire people from across Wales and the world.”

Wilson hopes the event will give greater visibility to the sport and increase participation in para badminton across the UK: “If there’s one person watching in the crowd or online who thinks, ‘Hey, maybe I can try this,’ then it’s all worth it. Para badminton changed my life. I want more people to know it’s out there. You just have to take that first step. And if I can help someone take it—then I’m doing my job.”

Wilson is calling on the public to show up, support, and get involved. Whether it’s watching world-class matches, volunteering at the event, or picking up a racket for the first time.

Tickets for the event cost between £1.00 and £5.00. Volunteers are also welcomed. For more information visit the Badminton Wales website: https://badminton.wales/british-irish-para-badminton-international-2025/

To find your local badminton club, and for more information visit Get Involved on the Badminton Wales website: https://badminton.wales/get-involved/

TENBY and CARMARTHEN welcomed a unique celebration of Welsh women’s football this week, as the Ein Crys Cymru tour brought a giant inflatable national team shirt to town in the build-up to the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 tournament.

The giant red jersey—bearing the names of Wales’ Euro squad—was on display in Tenby Harbour on Sunday (June 22), attracting crowds throughout the day. Locals and tourists alike took the chance to pose for photos, record good luck messages, and get involved in football-themed activities for all ages.

The event, organised by the Football Association of Wales, is part of a nationwide tour celebrating Cymru’s historic qualification for this summer’s Euros in Switzerland. For many fans in Pembrokeshire, it was a rare opportunity to take part in a national football campaign close to home.

On Monday (June 23), the tour continued to Guildhall Square in Carmarthen, where Dyfed-Powys Police officers (PCSOs 8011 and 8134) were on hand to support the team’s message of unity and pride. Schools, youth clubs and families came together under the sun to show support for the players heading to the tournament next month.

Tour celebrates progress and pride

The Ein Crys Cymru tour began on June 19 beneath Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and is visiting 12 locations across Wales in the run-up to the squad’s opening match against the Netherlands on July 5. The shirt not only honours the current players, but also represents a turning point—just a few years ago, the women’s team played in ill-fitting men’s kits, without their names.

Now, they travel to Switzerland with national backing, bespoke kits, and growing recognition.

FAW officials say the tour is designed to “inspire a nation” and build support from the grassroots level up. Children in Tenby and Carmarthen were given free Euro 2025 wall planners, while local girls’ football teams joined in mini games and drills.

Where to see it next

The shirt is on display in Swansea today (June 24), with further stops planned across the country, including:

• June 25 – Caernarfon
• June 26 – Llandudno
• June 27 – Wrexham
• June 29 – Merthyr Tydfil
• July 1 – Newport
• July 5 – Cardiff Castle (finale)

Support continues to grow

With the Euros just around the corner, support for the Cymru squad is building across Wales. The Ein Crys Cymru tour is making sure no corner of the country is left out—and Pembrokeshire was proud to play its part.

For more information or to follow the shirt’s journey, visit: www.faw.cymru