
Calls grow to bring back professional cricket to North Wales
Glamorgan last played home fixtures in Colwyn Bay in 2019, before the pandemic forced all matches to be held at their Sophia Gardens ground in 2020 and 2021.
The club has not returned to North Wales since.
Mr Davies, also the shadow cabinet secretary for culture, tourism, sport, and North Wales, said: "It was an absolute pleasure to visit Glamorgan County Cricket Club at their stunning grounds in Sophia Gardens.
"As the only Welsh county cricket club, they are truly committed to expanding the sport across Wales, and it was a real eye-opener learning just how neglected the sport has been."
During the meeting, Mr Davies and Mr Rowlands emphasised the lack of investment in cricket facilities in North Wales.
Mr Davies said: "There's been a total lack of investment in cricketing facilities in North Wales despite the region producing the lion's share of young cricketing talent.
"We need to see the Welsh Government stump up the cash to ensure the sport is passed on to the next generation."
He also said he is hopeful that with collaboration between stakeholders, professional cricket could return to North Wales in the near future.
Both MSs raised concerns about the decline of cricket education in schools, which they attributed to a lack of investment from the Welsh Government.
They noted that many schools have dropped cricket from the curriculum, forcing young talent to look for opportunities in England.
However, they welcomed news that a growing number of promising players are emerging from North Wales, underlining the need for targeted investment in the region.
Glamorgan currently runs a school outreach programme to introduce children to cricket, but limited funding means it is mostly confined to South Wales.
Mr Rowlands said: "As chair of the Senedd's Cross-Party Group on Tourism I am always keen to attract even more visitors to North Wales and have called on the Welsh Government to do more to encourage major sporting events to be held in North Wales.
"Recently, I expressed my disappointment at the loss of county cricket and under-20s international rugby, which were often a regular occurrence in North Wales.
"They attracted thousands of spectators during their time and it does not seem right that people in my region have to travel hundreds of miles to South Wales to see major sporting events."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Tour of Britain Men: Final stages to be hosted in Wales
The prestigious event will see the world's best cyclists battling it out, with the rugged climbs of south Wales providing a stern test. The stages, on September 6, and 7, will feature routes through Pontypool, Newport, and Cardiff, with the notable ascent of The Tumble, near Abergavenny. This is expected to be the final race for INEOS Grenadiers rider, Geraint Thomas. For the first time, Pontypool will see the start of stage five on September 6. The route will navigate through Monmouthshire, concluding with a double climb of The Tumble. The final stage on September 7 kicks off at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport. It will cut across the undulating landscapes of south Wales, passing Maindy Velodrome, before finishing in the heart of Cardiff city centre. This follows the successful hosting of the Lloyds National Road Championships in Aberaeron and Aberystwyth in June, under a three-year agreement between the Welsh Government and British Cycling. Jack Sargeant, Welsh government minister responsible for sport, said: "We're excited to welcome the Men's Tour of Britain back to Wales once again, an event we have proudly supported over a number of years. "The Tour has found a successful home in Wales, and each time it returns it showcases our cities, towns, communities and landscapes to an international audience, as well as attracting athletes from all over the world." A double climb of The Tumble will prove a stern test (Image: Zac Williams/ September will mark the second time that Cardiff has hosted the overall finish of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men, having done so in 2017, and only the third time in the modern race's 21-year history that the event has finished in Wales. Jonathan Day, managing director of British Cycling Events, said: "Wales has provided some of the most iconic moments in Lloyds Tour of Britain history over the years, and this September will be no different. "The Lloyds Tour of Britain Men never fails to draw a crowd in south Wales, and with the four fantastic locations and two stages falling across a weekend we are confident that this will make for a really special atmosphere and a fantastic way to round out the race, and crown our 2025 champion." The weekend will also include an amateur event, the official Lloyds Tour of Britain Ride the Route on September 6, starting and finishing at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport. The full routes of both Welsh stages will be revealed later in July. The Lloyds Tour of Britain Men begins in East Suffolk on September 2, with stages also in Suffolk, Milton Keynes, Central Bedfordshire and Warwickshire before the race arrives in Wales. Further announcements about the participating teams and all six stage routes will be made in the coming weeks.

South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Tour of Britain 2025 finale to feature Pontypool route
The 2025 professional cycle race will include two stages across south Wales, culminating in an overall finish in Cardiff on September 7. Welsh cyclist, Geraint Thomas, will make his final road race appearance in the event. The first stage, on September 6, will see the world's top cyclists take on a 133.5-kilometre (83-mile) route from Pontypool to a summit finish atop The Tumble in Monmouthshire. Welsh Government minister with responsibility for sport, Jack Sargeant, said: "The Lloyds Tour of Britain showcases the very best of Welsh landscapes and our passion for cycling. "These challenging routes promise to be a great test for some of the world's top cyclists whilst providing a wonderful viewing experience for spectators at the many fantastic locations along both routes." Stage five will start from Pontypool Park in Torfaen at 11.30am, with fans in the town also able to see the race later in the day, as the route snakes back through Pontypool, at around 2pm, after its first ascent of The Tumble. The route will then head to Usk and Chepstow, taking in the first of five categorised king of the mountains ascents at Llangwm, averaging 4.7 per cent over its 3.6 kilometres. Immediately after Chepstow, the race tackles Itton Hill, the second climb of the day, almost five kilometres in length, and heads on to Monmouth, and then the Old Ross Road climb on the way to Abergavenny. From the town, the race will head to its first ascent of The Tumble, averaging over 8 per cent across its 4.9-kilometre distance, before a fast descent into Blaenavon and along the Afon Lwyd valley to Pontypool. The stage retraces its route to Usk, turning north via the Chain Bridge across the River Usk, to head back to The Tumble and the final, gruelling race up to the finish line at the summit, after more than 2,330 metres of ascent during the day, for an expected finish just before 3pm. The race resumes the next morning, September 7, at 11.45am from outside the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport, and while the 112.2-kilometre (69.8-mile) final stage only features two categorised climbs (Mynydd Bedwellte and Caerphilly Mountain), the constant undulations add up to almost 1,750 metres of ascent. Located with under 10 kilometres of racing to go, the 1.4-kilometre, 9.7 per cent average gradient climb of Caerphilly Mountain will again prove decisive for the stage winner in Cardiff, with a fast and relatively straightforward run in to Cardiff, including passing the Maindy cycle track, before the finish on North Road, alongside Bute Park, at around 2.45pm. Hundreds of cyclists will race through the streets of Pontypool as part of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Finale (Image: Allan McKenzie/ Torfaen County Borough Council leader, councillor Anthony Hunt, said: "Hosting a stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain is a prestigious event to bring to Torfaen and the extra footfall will give a boost to our local economy. "It's a chance for residents and cycling fans to get up close to world-class athletes in the borough and give Geraint Thomas a cheer in his final professional race. "This is a great chance for people in Torfaen to see a first-class sporting event for free on their doorsteps. "We're also looking forward to welcoming visitors to the area for the start and finish and showcasing some of our stunning landscapes to TV viewers, including Pontypool Park and the Blaenavon World Heritage site." Cardiff Council cabinet member for culture, parks and events, councillor Jennifer Burke, said: "The city is always buzzing when a major sporting event is in town and with this being homegrown sporting legend Geraint Thomas's final race - after a career that has seen him reach the very heights of world cycling, winning world championships, Olympic golds as well as claiming the famous yellow jersey - I'm sure the streets of his hometown will be lined with spectators cheering him, and all the other participants, on through those tough final miles."

Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
Lili Mai Jones among honourees at Wrexham National Eisteddfod
A total of 38 individuals were honoured by Gorsedd Cymru at a ceremony led by the Archdruid of Wales, Mererid Hopwood, on the Maes in Is-y-Coed near Wrexham. Among those celebrated was Lili Mai Jones, Wrexham AFC player and a rising star in Welsh football. Lili said: "I'm a girl from Wrexham, and I feel I'm in the right place at the right time. "I can't believe that the things I do – because I love doing them – inspire other people. "The Welsh language is important to me, and the fact that I'm being recognised by the Gorsedd is hard to believe, but it means a lot to me." Having played for Wrexham Club Academy since the age of 12, Lili spent two seasons at Everton before returning to Wrexham. She is also a familiar voice on radio and television, where she discusses the positive impact of football on young women's physical and mental health. Her bardic name, Lili ferch Gareth, honours her late father. Ms Jones said: "That's in memory of Dad. "It'll be nice to take Dad with me on this next journey and keep his name alive." Maxine Hughes was a big part of Welcome to Wrexham (Image: Supplied) Others honoured at the ceremony included journalist Maxine Hughes. Originally from Conwy and now based in the United States, Maxine played a prominent role in Welcome to Wrexham, the television series documenting the rise of Wrexham AFC under the ownership of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Her bardic name, John Conwy, is a tribute to her father. Maxine said: "Everyone knew him as John Conwy and he died last year at the age of 80. "Carrying his name with me is something very special and something I'll hold close to my heart." Rhun ap Iorwerth was part of the ceremony Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth was also invested into the Gorsedd, joining his father Edward Morus Jones and sister Awen. Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "I'm so proud to be here and to be honoured and to stand alongside Dad and Awen. "It's a shame Mum (the late Gwyneth Morus Jones) isn't here too." Dylan Williams from Caernarfon was recognised for his work as a teacher (Image: Supplied) Dylan Williams from Caernarfon was recognised for his work as a teacher, having taught hundreds of children across Arfon schools over 25 years. Mr Williams said: "Of course, it's a great honour for me, but I'm just doing what I enjoy doing." Actor Mark Lewis Jones, originally from Rhosllannerchrugog and now based in Cardiff, was another recipient. Mark said: "I'm delighted, I've really enjoyed this week. "I've watched this ceremony many times and never thought I'd be joining the Gorsedd." Actor Mark Lewis Jones was one of the ones honoured at the event (Image: Supplied) Stephen Rule, known as the Welsh Doctor, said he was 'shocked' to be honoured. Mr Rule said: "I never thought this would happen to me. "I'm still trying to get my head around it. "The honour will sink in during the ceremony." Stephen Rule, known as the Welsh Doctor shared his shock at the award (Image: Supplied) Rhys Roberts from Blaenau Ffestiniog chose the bardic name Sgali Cymraeg, reflecting his time in Liverpool and his inspiration from community enterprises. He later developed CellB, a creative hub based in the former police station in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Friday was a full day for Mr Roberts, who was also performing with Anweledig on the Maes Stage. Mr Roberts said: "We've been practising hard and we'll be singing the old songs – if we can remember them." Other honourees included Elen Mai Nefydd from Wrexham, head of the Department of Theatre, Television and Performance at Wrexham University. Dilwyn Price from Old Colwyn, known to generations of Welsh children as the lively leader of Urdd Jamborees, was also recognised. Professor Emeritus Hywel Wyn Owen of Llandegfan, an authority on Welsh place names, was invested. Originally from Pembroke, Professor Owen taught Latin and English at Maes Garmon School in Mold before moving on to teacher training at the Normal College in Bangor. Journalist and broadcaster Dewi Llwyd from Bangor was also honoured. READ MORE: Fundraiser aims to make dreams of teenager battling rare heart cancer a reality Mr Llwyd has reported in Welsh on major news stories from Wales and around the world for nearly 50 years. He was the face of S4C's election coverage and presented the channel's main news programme, as well as the discussion programme Pawb a'i Farn, for many years. Other recipients included a member of a popular rock group and an inspirational music teacher.