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South Wales Argus
29-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Firefighter cadets battle it out in national challenge
The National Fire Cadet Games 2025, the first to be held in Wales, took place over a weekend at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Hosted by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS), the event saw cadets aged 13 to 18 compete in challenges that tested their firefighting knowledge, physical ability, and teamwork. Fin Monahan, chief fire officer at SWFRS, said: "They're a celebration of the dedication, leadership, and passion these young people bring to their communities. "Every cadet here represents the future of our service – and that future looks incredibly bright." Events included water rescues, trauma response scenarios, home fire safety exercises, and a VR search and rescue simulation. The games also aimed to foster camaraderie among cadets from across the country. 17-year-old Cumbrian cadet Olivia Paice said: "I've been a fire cadet for about five years now and I love it. "We've all had a great weekend – we've met so many amazing people. "I've really enjoyed the different challenges, but particularly the trauma segment. "It's very realistic, and you must adapt to the quickly changing scenario." The winners of the 2025 National Cadet Games were Bedfordshire Team 2, with Abergavenny cadets taking second place. Councillor Kate Thomas, mayor of Newport, said: "It's tremendously inspiring to see so much interest in the fire service from so many young people. "It's also been an incredible feat of organisation and co-ordination that is extremely impressive." Amy Jenkins, national fire cadet games co-ordinator, said: "The success of the National Games reflects the teams' commitment to delivering this important event, alongside the fire cadets from across the UK whose presence and passion made this weekend's Fire Cadets National Games a great success."
South Wales Guardian
28-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Ammanford girl competes at British Gymnastics Championships
Anni Maloney, from Ammanford, attended the 2025 Trampoline, Tumbling & DMT Inter Regional Final at the Utility Arena in Birmingham from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 13. After starting gymnastics three years ago, Anni competed in the Tumbling Level 4 Women competition for girls aged 9-10. Anni competed in the Tumbling Level 4 Women competition for girls aged 9-10. (Image: Craig Maloney) Anni's father, Craig Maloney said: 'I am extremely proud. To see her wear the Welsh leotard was such a proud moment. She started at the age of six years old at Carmarthenshire School of Gymnastics in Cross Hands. 'She competed in the Welsh Championships at Cardiff Metropolitan University and finished in the top two which meant that she was able to compete in the British Championships. Anni and her sporty family are from Ammanford. (Image: Craig Maloney) 'She likes gymnastics. She trains hard, is committed to it and enjoys competing. It was a lot of fun for her to compete at international level, and she really enjoyed the competition. 'Anni never went into gymnastics for that reason. We took her to her first classes and then we have just taken it from there. She has taken it in her stride but there are lots of opportunities and she can progress.' Anni started gymnastics three years ago. (Image: Craig Maloney) However, Anni is from an active family as her parents and brother have all competed in sport. Craig continued: 'Her brother, who is three years older than her, is chuffed that she represented Wales. He plays football, rugby and cricket and now he has extra motivation to try to compete at an international level as well. 'We are a local family in Ammanford that have played sport our whole life. So, seeing our children do the same has been very pleasing for us and it's something we hope to continue. 'We come from a sporting background, and we are passionate about it. It's important for kids to get into sport. It gives you that sense of discipline and enjoyment. You meet people and you learn skills that you can use for the rest of your life.' The 9-year-old previously competed in the Welsh Championships at Cardiff Metropolitan University and finished in the top two. (Image: Craig Maloney) Following Anni's achievement, the Ammanford family have expressed their gratitude to Carmarthenshire School of Gymnastics and all the coaches involved in Anni's development.
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Family tragedy shaped Welsh sport star as he describes motivation after fatal accident
Jack Wilson was only eight years old when his father died in a tragic accident at home, but more than two decades on he is hoping to make his dad proud. 2028 might seem like a long time away, but the Welsh para-athlete has his sights set firmly on the Paralympic Games that year. This weekend, he is competing at the British & Irish Para Badminton International, the largest event of its kind ever held in Wales, in front of a home crowd. Jack, who was born with his disability, is one of the elite players from across the world taking part in the British & Irish Para Badminton International. It is taking place at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff, and is the biggest para badminton event ever held in Wales. Jack will represent Great Britain, as the only Welsh athlete on the GB Paralympic programme. READ MORE: Today's rugby news as call for Jac Morgan made amid new twist and Owen Farrell dismissed READ MORE: Hotel issues statement listing accusations against young Wales rugby players Jack' was a teenager when he first picked up his father's badminton racket. He said: "I lost my dad when I was eight, and the whole goal is to make him proud, and that's what motivates me to keep carrying on, performing, trying to do the best I can on the world stage. "My first badminton racket was his racket… knowing that I'm playing the sport he played." It was when he was teenager that Jack first picked up his dad's badminton racket. He said: "I kinda fell out of love with football and then in year eight I found badminton... I got the badminton bug." 2028 might seem like a long time away, but Welsh para-athlete Jack Wilson has his sights set firmly on the Paralympic Games that year. This weekend, he is competing at the British & Irish Para Badminton International, the largest event of its kind ever held in Wales, in front of a home crowd. He said: "I am massively proud. Representing Wales on the world stage is a massive responsibility, but it's also a privilege. With that privilege comes a lot of pressure, and there will definitely be a lot of pressure when I am competing in Cardiff. "It means the world to me that I get to represent Wales, I'm trying to make my dad proud." Explaining his love of badminton, Jack says: "I kinda fell out of love with football and then in year eight I found badminton... I got the badminton bug. "What I didn't like about football was if you didn't get the football or be involved that much, it was a bit difficult. "Whereas playing singles is only you vs someone else, and if you lose, it's on you, I've always liked that." Jack attended Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he achieved success after success in badminton. He said: "From there it kind of capitulated in the way that I broke into the Wales squad, then I learned about parabadminton. "There was a Welsh four nations tournament, so I played that and it kinda exploded from there that I went onto the international circuit." As Jack, who has also competed in able-bodied national tournaments, challenging perceptions and proving that disability doesn't limit ambition, faces competitors from across the world in Cardiff this weekend and it is a full circle moment to be back in the Sport Wales National Centre. He said: "It feels like a bit of a full circle in a way, I started my para badminton journey there, in Wales, in Sport Wales National Centre... My track record is quite good in the hall. I really, really just can't wait." Keen to urge anyone to try out badminton and head along to the competition in Cardiff and support, Jack said: "Just give it a go, there is something about the sport that is weirdly fun. "It is a really accessible sport, give it a go and you might end up loving it." Jack has got another six to seven tournaments to play in the next year alone, and while he is being realistic, the dream is the 2028 Paralympics. He said: "The Paralympics is the main goal that I've always set out to reach, LA 2028 would be a massive, massive goal for me. "It is going to be a crazy few years before I even get there. "There is a lot of matches to be played before I can even be thinking about it, it is the dream of a lifetime to make it to LA 2028."
The Herald Scotland
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Bell confident Wales can get over the line against Italy
Savannah Picton-Powell's brilliant brace and tries from Mollie Wilkinson, Seren Singleton, skipper Branwen Metcalfe, Rosie Carr, Dali Hopkins and Evie Hill put the game beyond the reach of a spirited Scotland side. 'I was just really proud of how we went into the game [against Scotland],' she said. 'In the first game, we lacked intent and execution, and we had a lot of set pieces that we couldn't finish off. 'Whereas, in the second game, everyone chilled out, we started off strong and we did what we needed to do. 'In this next game against Italy, we want to put together a strong game for 80 minutes. 'If we can start this game how we did the last, then we've got a good chance.' Italy let slip a 15-0 half-time lead against England to lose 36-20, having also tasted a 45-6 defeat to France in the first round. Despite the loss to England, the Azzurine showed signs of their physicality last Friday, with captain Elena Errichiello's try off the back of a maul, a demonstration of how dangerous Italy's forward pack can be. And Bell said everyone in the Wales camp is wary of the threat they can pose. 'They've got some very big ball carriers,' she continued. 'We know that defensively we need to be connected and work well together. 'If we have any gaps in our backline, then they'll be looking to break through. 'We need to stay alive and keep our eyes up. In the last game we dipped a bit, and if we do that again, Italy will take that as an advantage and try and get on top.' Bell was also full of praise for teammate Picton-Powell's performance during the Scotland win. The pair were the centre partnership for the Cardiff Metropolitan University side that won the Women's BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship title in April. 'She's a very good rugby player and she's good at being in the right places,' added Bell. 'It's nice having Sav playing outside of me. We've played together a lot before, like at uni so it's a nice combination we have. 'And if Sav has another confident game [against Italy], she'll get us over the line.' Six Nations Women's Summer Series Round 3 fixtures on Thursday 17 July: Scotland v Ireland – 13:00 Wales v Italy – 15:30 France v England – 18:00 Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women's Summer Series – where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at U6N | SIX NATIONS - YouTube and on Instagram @u20sixnations.
Business News Wales
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Filmmaker and Director of Arts Awarded Honorary Fellowship
Catryn Ramasut, Director of Arts for the Arts Council of Wales, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Cardiff Metropolitan University for her dedication to the industry. A strategic leader and entrepreneurial media practitioner, Catryn has over 25 years' experience transforming creative industries and arts organisations. A Cardiff-born, Welsh-speaking woman of mixed heritage, she brings a distinctive perspective to Wales's evolving cultural landscape, the university said. Catryn was the inaugural Chair of Welsh Government's Creative Wales, and is a former long-standing board member of Chapter Arts Centre. She is Wales' representative on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Creative Industries Council and has recently been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Welsh language broadcaster S4C. In these roles, she has demonstrated her ability to provide strategic direction, foster growth in the creative industries, and champion diversity and inclusion. She is also Co-Founder and former Managing Director of Cardiff-based ie ie productions, known for producing acclaimed films including 'American Interior' and 'Rockfield: The Studio on the Farm'. Most recently, she co-produced 'Brides' which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Catryn said: 'This Honorary Fellowship is meaningful recognition from Cardiff Met of the journey I've taken across both the arts and creative industries. My path hasn't been conventional – I've had to take risks, forge my own way, and create opportunities where they didn't exist. To have that work acknowledged by an institution developing the next generation of creatives shows how far we've come in recognising diverse routes to leadership.' After meeting in Bangkok in the 1960s, Catryn's Thai father and Welsh mother settled in Wales in the 1970s. Growing up in Cardiff and educated through the medium of Welsh, Catryn developed a deep appreciation for Welsh arts and culture that would later shape her professional vision. Her dual heritage, entrepreneurial background and Welsh-language education remain central to her identity and approach to creative leadership, the university said. Dr Bethan Gordon, Dean of the Cardiff School of Art and Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University, said: 'Catryn brings a unique perspective to Wales's cultural landscape. Her work strongly resonates with Cardiff Met's commitment to community engagement and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve locally and nationally. 'It's an honour to present Catryn with an Honorary Fellowship – her contribution to the creative industries complements Cardiff School of Art and Design's day to day academic delivery, as well as our strategic ambitions – and we look forward to working together moving forward.' During the graduation ceremony at Wales Millennium Centre, Catryn gave advice to students from the School of Art and Design: 'You are stepping into uncharted waters. Be enthusiastic – build your skillset, learn from others, know your strengths and identify where you need to develop. 'Remember that this sector thrives on connections and collaboration. Relationships are key. Embrace opportunities even if they seem beneath you and approach them with positivity. These experiences teach you how the industry really works. Once you've built your toolkit, back yourself. Take risks, challenge conventions, and use your diverse perspectives to drive innovation. It's a learning curve with setbacks, but that's how you shape your creative future.'
