Latest news with #ColegMenai
North Wales Chronicle
7 hours ago
- 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.
North Wales Chronicle
29-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Young woman from Gwynedd lands senior manager role
Ellie Granton, 29, from Y Felinheli, is a senior manager at Hays, leading a team of consultants across the north west of England. She attributes her career success to the foundation she received at Coleg Menai. Ellie's career began when she studied Level 3 Business at Coleg Menai in Bangor from 2012 to 2014. Since then, she has gained a Masters in Human Resource Management, joined Hays as a graduate consultant, and has been promoted five times in just a few years to her current role. Ellie said of her time in college: "My favourite thing about the course was the variation of modules and all the different assignment topics. "The way of teaching at college was different from school, as you were allowed more autonomy. "Also, it gave me the opportunity to meet a whole new group of people who I'd never met had it not been for the course." Ellie added: "One semester we had the opportunity to go to Brussels for a few days and visit the European Parliament. "It was such an amazing time, and it was one of my first times being in a country that isn't first-language English, without my family, so it definitely developed my confidence and ability to navigate situations and scenarios on my own. "It's times like this that are the foundation for later on in life, like moving to uni and solo travelling." Ellie said her time at Coleg Menai gave her the perfect grounding to move on to university, adding: "The BTEC business course definitely helped me in uni. "Firstly, from the UCAS points and also giving me a good understanding of the subject area and what the core modules would be. "Going to college felt like the right next step - moving out of school but still supporting my education and future career. "I'd highly recommend this course and Coleg Menai."
North Wales Chronicle
01-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
North Wales duo to represent UK in EuroSkills competition
Evan Klimaszewski and Yuliia Batrak have been selected to compete against the best in Europe. They will travel to Herning, Denmark in September to compete in EuroSkills 2025. Evan, who is studying for a Higher National Certificate in Engineering at Coleg Menai's Llangefni campus, will compete in the electronics category. Evan Klimaszewski (Image: Supplied) Yuliia, who studies Level 3 Professional Cookery at Coleg Llandrillo's Rhos-on-Sea campus, will compete in restaurant service. Both students have been selected by WorldSkills UK following their success in national skills competitions. Evan and Yuliia are part of the UK training squad preparing for WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai. Following their participation at EuroSkills, they will continue to compete for a place in Team UK for next year's 'Skills Olympics' in China. After months of competition and selection processes, Evan and Yuliia now face the last crucial months of their intensive training programme for EuroSkills Herning 2025. EuroSkills, taking place from September 9 to 13, is Europe's largest skills competition. It will also be a crucial litmus test to measure the UK's readiness to compete on the global stage at WorldSkills 2026. Yuliia Batrak (Image: Supplied) WorldSkills UK uses its participation in EuroSkills to promote skills excellence across the UK and embed world-class training standards. Ben Blackledge, WorldSkills UK Chief Executive, said: "We are so excited to be supporting and nurturing this fantastic group of young professionals as they head for Denmark to compete. "They will be tested to the highest standards, showcasing the skills that global employers are looking for, and will return to the UK with the knowledge and experience that will turbo-charge their careers." He added: "EuroSkills is ultimately a test of how internationally competitive UK skills are. "It gives us the impetus to raise standards at home and help more young people get high-quality jobs." Lifelong learning company Pearson is the official partner of Team UK for EuroSkills Herning 2025 and WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, following a successful partnership at WorldSkills Lyon in 2024. Freya Thomas Monk, Managing Director of Pearson Qualifications, said: "We are incredibly proud to support this inspiring group of young people as they prepare for the EuroSkills challenge this year."
