Latest news with #ColegMenai
North Wales Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Chronicle
North Wales College students build Targa rally car with NAPA
Coleg Menai has teamed up with automotive parts giant NAPA UK to give motorsport engineering students practical training, technical support, and exclusive access to professional racing environments. The collaboration includes the donation of original equipment (OE) quality parts and technical guidance to help students build a Targa rally car—broadening their understanding of motorsport engineering from the classroom to the track. Daron Evans, motorsport programme lead at Coleg Menai, said: "The NAPA partnership is supporting our learners here at Coleg Menai in many ways. "They are providing OE (original equipment) quality parts for our Targa rally car, have allowed our learners to support them with their own marketing campaigns, and more recently gave our students the opportunity to visit Oulton Park as guests of NAPA Racing. "Activities such as those provided by NAPA and NAPA Racing enrich the learning experience for our learners and also give them insight into possible career paths for the future. "We are very grateful for these opportunities and the current partnership." The NAPA Racing UK team talking to Coleg Menai motorsport students at Oulton Park race track (Image: Coleg Menai) During a recent visit to Oulton Park, students toured team garages and paddocks, participated in a Q&A with drivers and mechanics, and watched the British Touring Car Championship and other motorsport events, including the Porsche Sprint Challenge and British Formula 4. They were also given a guided tour of NAPA Racing's pit facilities, where they learned about the technical and logistical operations behind a professional racing team. The visit and ongoing partnership were made possible after Mr Evans invited NAPA UK representatives to the Llangefni campus, where they were impressed by the programme and facilities. Motorsport engineering students working on a Targa rally car at Coleg Menai in Llangefni (Image: Coleg Menai) A key focus of the collaboration is the construction of a Targa rally car, which allows for limited modifications to a road-going vehicle. NAPA has donated braking, suspension, and chassis components, as well as engine and workshop consumables, all supplied through its Llangefni store. READ MORE: Anglesey school to close for funeral of 'excellent' teacher who died suddenly Students are also benefiting from technical resources and hands-on training delivered through TechMate, NAPA's educational partner. Adam McNaney, marketing manager at NAPA, said: "We are proud to support Coleg Menai in nurturing future talent through quality resources and training. "This partnership aligns with our commitment to excellence and investing in the development of skilled professionals who will drive the automotive sector forward."
North Wales Chronicle
01-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Coleg Glynllifon win North Wales Under-18 Rugby Cup
Glynllifon were crowned North Wales Cup champions after beating Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor 38-7 in the final, while Coleg Menai reached the final of the North Wales Bowl. Mr Coles, rugby engagement officer, said: "I'm incredibly proud of the performances of the Grŵp Llandrillo Menai teams in the North Wales Cup and Bowl this year. "A huge amount of work has gone on in the background, and to have Coleg Menai competing in the Bowl final whilst Coleg Glynllifon and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor went head to head in the Cup final is testament to this. "The engagement from the players across the Grŵp has been excellent, with some fantastic rugby played throughout the year. "The programme has added significant benefits both to our learners but also to North Wales U18 rugby as a whole. "Congratulations to Coleg Glynllifon as deserved winners and U18 North Wales Champions." The cup final took place in Dolgellau on a sunny day, with Glynllifon starting strongly and building an early lead. Tries from Bedo Jones, captain Huw Watkins, and Robert Meurig Jones, all converted by Jones, put Glynllifon firmly in control. Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor responded with a try from Joseph Wall, converted by Euros Williams, captain, but Glynllifon continued to dominate after the break. Further tries from Elis Anderson and Robat Jones, both converted by Bedo Jones, along with a penalty kick, sealed the 38-7 victory. Huw Watkins, captain of Glynllifon, said: "It was a brilliant season. "Everyone was very committed and played with a lot of heart. "I enjoyed playing with my mates, and winning the North Wales Cup." Euros Williams, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor's captain, said: "Overall it was a good season with the college. "We gave some good performances but struggled to maintain our main and strongest team, but we never let the college down. "We played with a lot against us in the final with not our strongest team out, but everyone showed heart and courage to finish the game." Glynllifon's cup win capped a strong year that began with a second-place finish at the inaugural Welsh Agri-Colleges 10s tournament in Aberystwyth. Their cup campaign saw victories over Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, Ysgol Brynrefail, and Ysgol Tryfan, earning them a home semi-final. A walkover in the semi-final, after Ysgol Eirias conceded, sent them into the final, where they secured the title. Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor also impressed, notching wins over Ysgol Dinas Bran and Ysgol Bro Caereinion before a narrow defeat to Ysgol Godre'r Berwyn. In the semi-final against the same opponents, a drawn result meant Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor progressed to the final as the away side.
North Wales Chronicle
24-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Consistent drop in Anglesey children learning to swim
Councillors on Anglesey are 'looking into' why less youngsters are learning the vital skill. During a meeting, councillors heard there had been a drop in the number of kids taking part in the Nofio Môn Swimming programme. During a discussion on the council's 'corporate score card' results for the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, councillors heard the number of children attending swimming classes was 1,682. This was slightly down on the third quarter level of 1,695. In Quarter One it had been 1,847, and 1,806 in the second quarter. The average for 2024/25 fell to 1,747, below the Quarter Four target of 1,900. This had not included children taking swimming lessons through primary schools, where 3,845 children had attended sessions during a 30-week block. MORE NEWS: Bangor man returns to prison after assaulting a policeman 'with force' Top honours for Coleg Menai's most 'outstanding' students Pedestrian in hospital with 'serious' injuries after being hit by vehicle in Gwynedd Conwy Tunnel fire: A55 vulnerabilities to accidents and delays exposed by blaze The meeting heard demand for places on the council's scheme was declining, and there was now only one centre on the island with a waiting list. The council's portfolio holder for leisure Cllr Neville Evans said: 'We just don't know why it's happening, we're looking into it. 'There's been a consistent decline, but it's happening in other council areas too.' Enhanced coaching and training for staff had been undertaken at the end of March, through Swim Wales, and it was hoped this would 'further improve' the quality of lessons provided. 'It could be due to a number of reasons, the cost of living, or even more leisure activities available now,' he added. MORE: Historic coaching inn used as council offices in Caernarfon could become flats He also queried if the target was 'too high'. It was agreed that the service would work with leisure centres to promote the swimming programme. Cllr Jeff Evans, the committee's chair, said due to the 'astonishing number of deaths going on around the country' he felt it was necessary for the committee to 'get on top of the issue'. 'We must maximise the opportunities for learning to swim, living here on the island we are surrounded by water,' he said.
North Wales Chronicle
24-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Celebrating excellence at Coleg Menai's 2024/25 awards
Connie Whitfield was named Overall Achiever of the Year, alongside 15 other students recognised for their proficiency across various subject areas. The evening was marked by a speech from Carmen Smith, a former Coleg Menai student and the youngest ever member of the House of winner Connie Whitfield (Image: Coleg Menai) Family and friends gathered to celebrate the students' accomplishments. Each year, lecturers nominate top students for an award within their discipline, with winners chosen by the respective programme area manager. Award winners receive a trophy during the ceremony, and the overall achiever of the year, selected by the principal, is announced at the end of the Williams (Image: Coleg Menai) Dr Siôn Peters-Flynn, Coleg Menai principal, presented engineering student Connie with the overall achiever award along with a £200 voucher. Dr Peters-Flynn described Connie as 'a student of exceptional commitment, maturity, and leadership', and credited her as 'a driving force behind the team's success' in the Morlais tidal stream energy project. Connie also received a network prize from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and the achiever of the year award for her subject Evans (Image: Coleg Menai) Among the subject area winners were Wales under-19 footballer Casi Evans, and Access to Higher Education learner Lee Morris. Casi is expected to achieve exceptional grades in her Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science diploma, while also training with Blackburn Rovers and playing on loan for Halifax. She has also been selected for the Ynys Môn squad for the Island Games in Orkney in Romaniuk (Image: Coleg Menai) Lee was nominated by his classmates and tutor for his support of fellow students, as well as his academic excellence, having attained the full 45 credits at distinction level. Dr Peters-Flynn also presented caps to students who represented Wales in the sporting arena during the academic year. These students included Byron Davis, Morgan Davies, Casi Evans, Saran Griffiths, Ffion Humphreys, and Noa Fenney (Image: Coleg Menai) READ MORE: Smoking banned on three North Wales beaches Opening the ceremony, Dr Peters-Flynn said: "I have the honour of presenting these very prestigious awards this evening to a group of students who are to be recognised for their hard work and dedication over the past 12 months. "Our award winners have been nominated as students who have gone that extra mile, who have broken down barriers or who have excelled in their subject. "This is what makes these awards very special, and a privilege to present." Awards were also presented in memory of former Coleg Menai students Chloe Bidwell and Rhun Jones.
North Wales Chronicle
10-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
New Anglesey basketball court opened by Valley brothers
Kieran and Ryan Jones were instrumental in the creation of the court in their home village of Valley after the Community Council approached them for ideas on how to redevelop the area. Kieran, who is hoping to compete in the F34 shot put at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, was the one who suggested the space be used for basketball. He said: "They contacted us to ask what would we recommend for the community, and I said, 'What about a basketball court?"' "Sport has changed my life and it's important that we start at grassroots level. "I'm 23 now, but when I was growing up there was nothing like that nearby. "I had to travel everywhere, you had to book a court - so it's great that it's just there on your doorstep." The sportsman, who recently won the British Universities F34 shot put title and is the reigning Welsh champion, believes the court will inspire future generations to pursue their sporting dreams. The brothers, who both have hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), a neurological disorder that affects the hip and leg muscles, have been heavily involved in sports from a young age. They have both represented Wales in wheelchair basketball and have made sporting success part of their lives despite their condition. Former Coleg Menai students Ryan and Kieran Jones on the new basketball court at Parc Mwd with Councillor Neil Tuck (Image: Coleg Menai) They attended Coleg Menai's Llangefni campus, with Kieran studying between 2020 and 2022, while Ryan completed his Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair studies last year. Despite his own challenges, Kieran is determined to inspire others with his story, saying: "The amount of setbacks I've had, the amount of times I've cried to my parents… setbacks make you stronger, but barriers are there to be broken, not to stop you. "You've got to push through that and you'll achieve what you want to if you keep going." READ MORE: Welsh Deputy First Minister praises Anglesey farm's sustainable practices Having completed his first year of a BSc in Sports Coaching at Cardiff Met University, Kieran returned home to cut the ribbon on the new basketball court in Parc Mwd, on behalf of Valley Community Council. At the opening ceremony, Councillor Neil Tuck, the council's chairman, thanked all stakeholders who made the project possible through their support. He also offered special thanks to G L Jones, the builders behind the project, and Lagan Aviation Infrastructure Ltd, who supplied all the infrastructure for free. Swish Coaching Ltd also attended the ceremony, offering a free coaching session for young people.
