LEEDS UNITED, aiming for a return to the Premier League, signed striker Joel Piroe from Swansea City last August for an undisclosed fee, potentially rising to over £10m, dependent on their promotion success. The deal included a significant £2m add-on should Leeds secure their spot in the top flight, highlighting the club’s confidence in Piroe’s ability to influence their campaign.

As Leeds prepares for a crucial Championship play-off semi-final against Norwich City this Sunday, the team’s recent performances suggest they are well-positioned for a critical battle. Norwich, under manager Daniel Farke, has experienced a downturn in form, losing four of their final six regular-season games, which saw them finish third, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion.

Piroe, a Dutch forward who notably netted 46 goals over two seasons with Swansea, has since added 13 goals in 46 appearances for Leeds, 32 of which were starts. His goal-scoring prowess will be pivotal as Leeds seek to overcome Norwich in the upcoming clash.

The outcome of the semi-final could set up a dramatic encounter with either Southampton or West Bromwich Albion in the Championship play-off final scheduled for Sunday, 26 May. Leeds fans are hopeful that the team, bolstered by Piroe’s contributions, will navigate through these decisive matches to regain their Premier League status. As the anticipation builds, all eyes will be on Piroe and his teammates to deliver performances that could define their season and possibly secure a lucrative promotion reward for the club.

FREYA TERRY, a 21-year-old yachting instructor from Pembrokeshire, is embarking on a solo sailing adventure around Great Britain and Ireland, covering an impressive 2,300 nautical miles. If successful, she will become the youngest and first female sailor to achieve this feat. However, Terry insists that her voyage is far more than just a record-setting challenge; it is a profound journey intertwined with her personal battle with mental health.

Having started sailing at the tender age of 11, the same period her mental health challenges began, Terry has found solace and identity on the water, away from her struggles with isolation and trust during her formative years. “Sailing has given me a personality outside of my mental health struggles,” Terry believes. This journey represents not just a physical challenge but also a culmination of a decade-long battle with her mental health.

Throughout her adolescence, Terry experienced significant difficulties during her transition to secondary school, which were compounded by issues in forming friendships. “It was lots of little things, and then I struggled with the transition into secondary school as well as making friendships,” she recounted. The challenges escalated to more severe problems, leading her to isolate herself and retreat from conversations with family and health professionals.

Now, as she prepares her boat at Neyland Marina, Terry reflects on the darker times, including nights she ran away from home, self-harmed, and struggled in silence. Her turning point came with the support from the Amethyst Project in Cardigan, Ceredigion, which helped her realize she was not alone in her struggles. “It showed me that I wasn’t on my own in this and that it kind of was a real thing, that other people were struggling with as well and that it wasn’t my fault that this was happening, which was huge for me,” she explained.

The support has not only helped her but also stunned those close to her, including her mother, Julie Campbell. The 60-year-old expressed both pride and apprehension about her daughter’s daring venture. “I mean, I do have confidence in her as a sailor, but as a mum, I am just terrified,” Campbell admitted. Despite the fears, she acknowledged the growth and unexpected confidence in her daughter, who was once overwhelmed by day-to-day survival.

For Terry, the challenge ahead is daunting not just because of the physical demands of the journey, but also because it involves opening up about her mental health struggles—a topic she finds particularly tough to discuss. “The bit I’m most scared of or most nervous about is talking to people and talking about mental health because it’s really difficult and I think that’s okay to say but I’m doing it anyway,” she courageously stated.

As Terry sets sail, her story is not just about setting records but also about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, showing that personal challenges can transform into powerful narratives of hope and resilience.

IN an intense and pivotal meeting in Mumbai, Tata Steel firmly reiterated its decision to cut 2,800 jobs in the UK, primarily impacting the Port Talbot site, despite urgent appeals from Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething. Mr. Gething, who recently met with senior executives, expressed his disappointment at the firm’s unwavering stance unless there’s a shift in the UK government.

Despite these challenging circumstances, the First Minister underscored his commitment to protect jobs and prevent compulsory redundancies across Welsh sites. This dialogue comes as Tata plans to close both blast furnaces at Port Talbot by September, replacing them with a greener electric arc furnace by summer 2025, which promises to preserve thousands of jobs and reduce CO2 emissions significantly.

The Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, criticised Mr. Gething’s approach, suggesting that while the UK government has offered substantial financial aid, the Welsh government has only funded the First Minister’s travel to India. He accused Mr. Gething of “globetrotting” at a time of domestic scrutiny over controversial donations to his Welsh Labour leadership campaign.

Mr. Gething defended his trip, stating, “How can I sit at home and not be here in Mumbai, fighting for thousands of workers’ jobs?” He highlighted the potential of a change in leadership, with UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer poised to possibly become the next Prime Minister, which he believes could usher in a new era of capital investment for the steel industry.

Amid the uncertainty of an upcoming general election, possibly scheduled between October and January, there is concern that any governmental changes may arrive too late to alter Tata’s current trajectory. Tata CEO TV Narendran described the discussions as productive but maintained the company’s strategic direction, emphasizing their commitment to a sustainable future in the UK steel industry.

The GMB union and members of the Community steelworkers’ union have voiced strong opposition, with recent votes favouring industrial action against the restructuring plans. Plaid Cymru’s economy spokesman, Luke Fletcher, has called for the nationalisation of the steel industry, labeling Tata’s current worker treatment as “appalling.”

Meanwhile, both parties acknowledged areas of mutual benefit, such as potential investments around Port Talbot and collaborations with Welsh universities on green steel production. The First Minister also highlighted opportunities linked to the Global Centre of Rail Excellence near Neath, with Tata considering a formal agreement.

As Mr. Gething returns from Mumbai, the situation remains tense, with the future of many steelworkers hanging in the balance and the Welsh and UK governments at odds over the best course of action to mitigate job losses and transition to sustainable steel production.