Sport

Popularity of swimming on the rise

Published

9 years ago

May 19, 2017

Craig Nelson and Sam Jones: Pictured at the Welsh Easter Nationals in Swansea

ONE of the most popular sports in Pembrokeshire at present is swimming, where there are over 425 young swimmers training in and competing for local clubs.

These Clubs come under the umbrella of Pembrokeshire County Swimming (PCS) which is a Swim Wales Performance Club, based in Haverfordwest Leisure Centre.

PCS in conjunction with Pembrokeshire County Council offers professional coaching under Head Coach Craig Nelson [who leads and coordinates the PCS county squads programme] and Assistant Coach Sam Jones, who takes a lead with the younger PCS county squads.

The Herald are delighted to feature the sport of swimming further and have been discussing many aspects of the bespoke swimming programme in the County with Sam Jones.

He said: “Competitive swimming in Pembrokeshire is one of the best supported sports in this county highlighted by the fact it is able to provide two full-time professional coaches working with closely with all development clubs and county standard swimmers.”

Jones was enthusiastic in outlining the objective: “The objective is to produce ‘the County’s very own Olympian of the future. With the support of Pembrokeshire County Council our programme offers our best young talent the potential to reach their dream.”

Nelson and Jones have vast experience in performance swimming and both swam to a high standard in their individual focused events, when swimming at the National Performance Centre, Swansea. Between them, the coaching team’s experience from their own participation provides a Commonwealth medal, Youth Commonwealth finalist, three British National medals and several National qualifying entries, which is a fine CV for any coaching team.

Jones is fully focussed now on supporting the pathway for swimmers in the development programme, all of whom are dual registered with their host club.

Pembrokeshire has five development clubs swimming out of the main leisure centres in the county (Tenby Dolphins, Pembroke & District, Haverfordwest Seals, Milford Haven Tigers and Fishguard Flyers) whilst Preseli Panthers, an associate member at present are in the process of acquiring full membership.

“These development clubs are the link from the Pembrokeshire County Council Learn to Swim sessions, into one of the five PCS squads, ” Jones explained. “The Junior Academy Squad offers swimmers showing potential at nine years old in their Development clubs, to regular skill camps, focusing primarily on techniques dives and turns, key elements for progressing further in the sport.”

The Senior Academy Squad, made up mainly of children 12 years of age, train once a week with the Performance swimmers, in conjunction with their Development Club hours whilst the Junior National Squad develop their training alongside Performance swimmers by a further six hours.

The National Performance Squad offers 11 to 15-year-old young people a full time training programme, exclusively with county coaches for up to seven sessions a week.

The National Performance Squad is the pinnacle of the County squad pyramid structure, where 11 to 18 year old swimmers can access over 16 hours of water based sessions, alongside weekly strength and conditioning workshops and three hours of land based training.

Sam said: “This offers swimmers the opportunity to meet the stringent British and International qualifying times, where the youngsters commitment and dedication is immense.

“The rewards for such effort is worthwhile if the swimmers get to represent their country or swim in the British finals held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.”

Next week the Herald will be highlighting Sam’s coaching diary as he set up the final stages of the training programme for individual swimmers, in preparation for the Swansea Open Meet being held this weekend at the National Pool.

Sport

Haverfordwest County Under-13 girls shine at final FAW festival

Published

2 days ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Women and Girls have praised their under-13s after another strong showing at the third and final FAW Festival of the season.

The young Bluebirds travelled to Colliers Park in Wrexham on Saturday (Apr 4), where they once again impressed with their performances.

Club officials said the girls had performed fantastically well throughout the season, adding that everyone at Haverfordwest County was incredibly proud of their efforts.

The squad for the day was Libby O, Ela I, Ines M, Mila E, Scarlett C, Rachel B, Lydia H, Lilly M, Zara E, Leila P and Lillie EJ.

Well done girls.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Friendly League week 22 results

Published

2 days ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

RESULTS from week 22 of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association Friendly League have been confirmed, with Badgers recording a comprehensive 10-0 win over Lamphey and St Twynnells edging past Cosheston 6-4.

An earlier fixture also saw Cosheston claim a 10-0 victory over Reynalton.

Several matches were postponed during the week, including Kilgetty v Carew, Llanteg v St Twynnells and Hundleton v East Williamston.

St Johns had the bye.

Latest results:
Cosheston 4 St Twynnells 6
Badgers 10 Lamphey 0
Cosheston 10 Reynalton 0

League table after week 22:
East Williamston — Played 19, Won 13, Drawn 0, Lost 6, Shot difference 169, Points 126
St Johns — Played 20, Won 12, Drawn 1, Lost 7, Shot difference 132, Points 118
Reynalton — Played 20, Won 8, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference 24, Points 99
St Twynnells — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 2, Lost 7, Shot difference 9, Points 99
Carew — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 9, Shot difference -12, Points 98
Hundleton — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 1, Lost 8, Shot difference -7, Points 97
Llanteg — Played 18, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 8, Shot difference -16, Points 95
Badgers — Played 20, Won 7, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -104, Points 89
Cosheston — Played 19, Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference -39, Points 88
Lamphey — Played 20, Won 9, Drawn 0, Lost 11, Shot difference -71, Points 80
Kilgetty — Played 19, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -85, Points 73

League officials have reminded clubs that all outstanding matches must be completed by midnight on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Sport

Amman United Youth suffer agonising semi-final defeat

Published

2 days ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

Cup final dream slips away as Newcastle Emlyn battle back to seal 20-19 win in windy Carmarthenshire Cup clash

AMMAN UNITED YOUTH saw their Carmarthenshire Cup final hopes ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday (Apr 4) as Newcastle Emlyn snatched a 20-19 victory in a dramatic semi-final.

Played in difficult, windy conditions, the contest was fiercely competitive throughout, with Amman left to rue a series of handling errors that allowed the visitors back into the game.

Newcastle Emlyn made the stronger start, taking an early 3-0 lead through a penalty and then missing a chance to add to their tally.

Amman responded well and took control of the first half. Captain Ceian Lewis crossed following a well-worked catch-and-drive to put his side 5-3 in front. Toby Slater then produced an excellent touchline conversion in tough conditions to extend the lead to 7-3.

Amman continued to build momentum when Harvey Duncan made a sharp break down the wing to score their second try. Slater was again on target with an impressive conversion in the wind, giving his side a 14-3 lead at the break.

But the game turned soon after the restart. A costly Amman mistake allowed Newcastle Emlyn back into the contest, with the visitors scoring in the corner before adding the conversion to close the gap to 14-10.

Amman appeared to have steadied themselves when Kelston Fairhurst powered over from another catch-and-drive, stretching the lead to 19-10.

However, Newcastle Emlyn refused to give in. Strong forward play brought them another try, and the conversion cut the deficit to just two points at 19-17 as the pressure mounted in the closing stages.

The decisive moment came in the final five minutes when another Amman handling error handed Emlyn a crucial opportunity. The visitors worked their way into range and slotted a late penalty to edge ahead 20-19.

Amman had one final chance to rescue the game and opted for a catch-and-drive from a late penalty, having already found success with that tactic earlier in the match. This time, though, Newcastle Emlyn held firm to deny them and secure their place in the final.

It was a bitter end for Amman United Youth, who had looked in control at half-time, but Newcastle Emlyn showed resilience and composure when it mattered most.