Sport

Grand Slam win for Pembrokeshire rugby ace

Published

2 days ago

April 13, 2026

A PEMBROKESHIRE rugby player is celebrating a grand slam win this month after being selected to head one of Hong Kong’s eight premiership rugby clubs.

Amy Rothero, 25, has been named as the new general manager of the all-inclusive Kowloon Rugby Club which boasts seven rugby teams, four netball teams and a cricket team, all competing in leagues across Hong Kong.

The same month, Rothero discovered she is one of just 50 international females selected to sit on the United Rugby Club Leadership Academy. This is a global initiative that redefines access and opportunities for women to pursue careers in the sporting industry all over the world.

“This is a truly fantastic opportunity as it comes at a time when I really wanted to focus on a strong career in sport” Amy told The Pembrokeshire Herald.

“When I first arrived in Hong Kong back in 2024, I didn’t have a particular job in mind. I just wanted to improve my skills. But I soon realised just how important rugby is regarded here and that this was a great place to further my skills.”

Amy, who is the daughter of Brian and Ceri Rothero, began making a name for herself on the sporting circuit as a Neyland schoolgirl when she competed nationally as a hurdler. She began playing rugby at a young age, inspired by her father who was a rugby coach for many years, and her younger brother Oliver, who currently plays for Neyland RFC. Last year saw Oliver pass no fewer than 226 points for the rugby season together with 12 tries and 15 conversions.

After leaving school, Amy joined the Scarlets Under 18’s, and then studied sports management at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

“This was when my rugby really started to develop and the more I started to get out of the game, the more I wanted to pursue it as a career,” she explains.

“I started looking at different countries, to see what they were able to offer, and one of the ones that kept coming up was Hong Kong. They had a women’s team, they were recruiting players, and so in 2024 I made the decision to join them.”

Within a very short time, Amy began to realise just how integral rugby is to the people of Hong Kong.

“I had no idea how big the game is here. It’s a very rugby-loving nation with the result that many people choose to come over here to play. And as the years go by, it’s just getting bigger and bigger, with the result that the imports are definitely going to increase.”

Amy’s first job in Hong Kong was with the children’s global rugby programme Rugbytots, where she was appointed the club’s first female head coach. Seven months later she was offered an administrative role which she successfully juggled alongside her coaching.

“This was a great way to find my feet in Hong Kong and I absolutely loved it,” said Amy.

“And what made it even better was that my boss at Rugbytots is Welsh, so this gave me a wonderful taste of home.”

Amy’s talents, both as a player and as a communicator, were soon acknowledged by her seniors, with the result that she has now been offered the position of general manager of Kowloon Rugby Club.

“It’s an extremely exciting opportunity as many teams operate within the club, including premiership rugby, women’s premiership as well as other sectors such as netball and cricket.

“Naturally it’s bittersweet, as it means I’ll no longer be able to play rugby. But I know that the time has come to move on to bigger and better things. I can park my playing for now, but I know that I can always go back to it in the future if I choose to.”

Amy has also been named as one of 50 females from 22 countries and five continents selected for the United Rugby Club Leadership Academy. This is a global initiative that helps create opportunities for women pursuing careers across the sports industry.

Now entering its fifth year, the programme has already supported aspiring young women from across the world, connecting them with influential leaders, mentors, and decision-makers in sport. Many graduates have gone on to secure roles in elite performance, broadcasting, event management, and sports governance , which is evidence of the Academy’s growing global impact.

“Yes, I’m excited at everything that’s happened in my career this year, but I miss the UK and my home in Pembrokeshire so much,” concludes Amy.

“I get homesick. I come back at Christmas and for a few weeks in the summer, but my ultimate goal is to continue my career in the UK. I know deep down, that everything that’s happening now is preparing me for when that time comes.”

News

Haverfordwest County AFC escapes winding-up order but ordered to pay costs

Published

3 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Club avoided liquidation in case remained live until it came before a judge at the High Court in London

A WINDING-UP petition brought by HM Revenue & Customs against Haverfordwest County AFC Ltd reached the High Court in London before being dismissed on Wednesday (Apr 15).

The case was heard at 12:00pm at the Rolls Building.

Court officials later confirmed to The Herald that the petition had been dismissed, with the company ordered to pay costs.

While the dismissal means the club has avoided compulsory liquidation, the fact that the matter progressed to a High Court hearing – and resulted in a costs order against the company – underlines the seriousness of the proceedings.

Before the hearing, the club had repeatedly sought to downplay the issue. Last week, chairman Rob Edwards described the petition as “a non-story”, stating it related to “a VAT offset against PAYE that wasn’t recorded”. He insisted the matter had been rectified, that no debt was owed to HMRC, and that a request to withdraw the petition had already been submitted to the court.

***High court costs bill: Chairman Rob Edwards***

The club subsequently issued a statement claiming there was “no debt owed to HMRC” and that the petition “has been withdrawn by HMRC”.

However, HM Courts & Tribunals Service twice confirmed to The Herald prior to the hearing that the petition remained active and listed for 12:00pm on 15 April. The case remained listed until it came before the judge on Wednesday.

The imposition of a costs order is particularly notable.

It represents a formal court direction requiring Haverfordwest County AFC Ltd to meet the legal costs arising from the petition.

Thankfully, Haverfordwest County AFC has avoided the most severe outcome – a winding-up order that would have threatened the club’s future.

However, the High Court proceedings make clear that this was never a dormant or inconsequential entry on the court list. It was a live HMRC petition that required judicial attention at the Rolls Building and has now left the company with legal expenses to pay.

Sport

Osian Pryce powers to Severn Valley Stages victory

Published

4 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Herald Sport

Machynlleth driver makes winning return as British Rally Championship season gets underway in mid Wales

OSAIN PRYCE and co-driver James Morgan made a dream return to the Severn Valley Stages on Saturday, storming to victory on home ground in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

Fresh from Pryce’s title success, the Welsh pairing showed their class on the gravel once again, adding another Severn Valley Stages win to the one he claimed in 2024. Locked in a fierce battle throughout the event, Pryce underlined his pace and experience to seal a memorable victory in challenging conditions.

Speaking after the win, Pryce said: “It’s so good to be back. It’s much easier coming back here with the title in hand; you can just relax and enjoy it.

“James and MEM have done a great job in getting me comfortable in this car. I think that’s been the key and, to set a fastest time for the first time out in the car, I’m more than happy with that.

“From my side, I’ve got a bit of work to do with my driving to get used to the car, but I’m very happy.”

The 51st Severn Valley Stages marked a spectacular return to the rallying calendar, acting as the curtain-raiser for the 2026 Motorsport UK British Rally Championship.

Based in Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells, the popular gravel event, supported by Axon Commercial Catering Equipment, attracted almost 120 crews and featured strong entries across a range of championships, including the Fuchs British Historic Rally Championship, Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, HRCR Stage Masters and TCS Plant Rally Series.

After a packed ceremonial start in Llandrindod Wells on Friday evening, which saw fans gather to meet drivers and collect autographs, crews faced more than 50 miles of demanding stages. The route included seven tests in total, headlined by the iconic Myherin complex and rounded off with a punishing 18-mile finale.

Weather conditions added another layer of difficulty, with sunshine giving way to snow, hail and heavy rain, leaving the forest stages treacherous and unpredictable.

Pryce was pushed all the way by fellow Welshman and team-mate Meirion Evans, with Dale Furniss alongside in another Yaris. Evans, buoyed by his recent Rally North Wales victory, kept the pressure on throughout the day and eventually secured second place.

Garry Pearson and Hannah McKillop led the M-Sport Ford challenge in their Ford Fiesta Rally2, recovering from an early spin to complete the podium in third.

On his Severn Valley debut, Max McRae impressed with a strong fourth-place finish alongside Cammy Fair in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. The son of 1995 British Rally Championship winner Alister McRae looked capable of finishing even higher before a puncture on the fourth test checked his progress.

Scottish Rally Championship front-runner Scot MacBeth, co-driven by Ross Whittock, rounded out the top five in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5.

Elsewhere, Liam Clark and Michael Gilbey claimed victory in the Interclub category and secured top Welsh Championship points.

The historic category once again provided plenty of spectacle, with Marty McCormack entertaining fans in his BMW E30 M3. Alongside co-driver Barney Mitchell, McCormack continued the car’s gravel development in style by taking back-to-back British Historic Rally Championship victories.

Organised by Midland Manor Motor Club, the return of the Severn Valley Stages after a year’s hiatus was warmly welcomed by rally fans, who lined the forests at Sarnau and Myherin to witness the action.

The ceremonial start and finish at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells again proved a popular focal point, bringing drivers, teams and spectators together to celebrate the event’s successful comeback.

Images: British Rally Championship

Sport

Wales wheelchair rugby league squad faces World Cup funding fight

Published

6 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Herald Sport

Players could miss Celtic Cup and Australia campaign without urgent backing

THE WALES RUGBY LEAGUE Wheelchair Squad is on the brink of a historic World Cup campaign — but without urgent financial backing, some of the nation’s top athletes could miss out simply because they cannot afford to take part.

The squad needs to raise thousands of pounds to ensure every selected player can compete, starting with the Celtic Cup in Edinburgh this May — their only competitive preparation before the World Cup in Wollongong, Australia, this autumn.

At present, players and staff are being asked to self-fund their places at a cost of around £250 each.

Team manager Steve Abel has already seen talented athletes forced to withdraw in the past because of the financial burden.

He said: “It’s incredibly tough to ask athletes to pay to represent their country.

“They already give everything — their time, energy and commitment — and then face the added burden of funding their own travel and accommodation. It shouldn’t be this way. I’m determined it won’t happen again.”

Steve, who is leading Wales at a World Cup for the first time, previously officiated at four World Cups and understands better than most what it takes to compete at the highest level — and what is at stake if Wales arrive underprepared.

The Celtic Cup, featuring Wales, Ireland and Scotland, is not simply a warm-up tournament. It is the squad’s only chance to build momentum, test combinations and head to Australia ready to compete.

Despite the financial pressure, belief inside the camp remains high.

Only 12 players will make the trip to Australia, and the squad — drawn from leading clubs including North Wales Crusaders, Leeds Rhinos, South Wales Jets, Midlands Hurricanes, Sheffield Eagles and Wigan Warriors — is determined to show Wales belongs among the world’s best.

Blending pace, power, resilience and experience, the team believes it can make a real impact on the international stage.

Steve added: “We’re not going to Australia just to take part.

“We’ve got a hugely talented squad, experienced coaches and an incredible group of volunteers — we’re a family.

“We genuinely believe we can compete with the world’s best and do Wales proud.”

Wheelchair rugby league is one of the fastest-growing formats in world sport, open to men and women, boys and girls, and athletes from all backgrounds. Wales has been involved since the sport’s earliest international days.

Built on passion, physicality and teamwork, it reflects the very best of Welsh pride and identity.

But with no central government funding and limited resources available to sporting bodies, the squad is relying on support from the wider public to make the dream possible.

Dawn Roberts-McCabe, volunteer for fundraising and sponsorship, said: “I’m proud to give my time to help ensure every prospective athlete can focus on training to become the best version of themselves, rather than worrying about financial barriers.

“It would break my heart if a talented player had to let their World Cup dream go because they had to choose between playing and paying.”

Businesses, sponsors and supporters across Wales are now being urged to step forward. Whether through sponsorship, donations or simply spreading the word, every contribution brings the squad one step closer to the World Cup stage — and to a moment that could inspire a generation.

To support the team or discuss sponsorship opportunities, email Dawn Roberts-McCabe at [email protected]
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