Latest news with #Cymru
North Wales Chronicle
16-07-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Anglesey: Sailing volunteers honoured for making waves
Jon Gamon and Richard Horovitz, founders of SEAS Sailability, received RYA Cymru Wales Impact Awards for their work supporting disabled people, their families, and carers to enjoy water-based activities. Based at The Conway Centre on Anglesey, SEAS Sailability offers inclusive experiences such as sailing, paddleboarding, swimming, and powerboating in a safe and social setting. The pair were nominated by fellow volunteer Ken Newing, who said: "It's a pleasure to nominate Jon and Richard for their continued effort over the years to make the sport more accessible." They offer inclusive experiences (Image: Karl Midlane) The charity also operates a wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboat, allowing even more people to get out on the water. Mr Gamon, who teaches outdoor education at Ysgol Aberconwy and the Conway Centre, said: "It's so rewarding to see the excitement and sense of achievement that people experience when they are able to get on the water and I enjoy being a part of that buzz. "You become part of a community and I like seeing the impact our activities have on the wellbeing and relationships of our participants and their carers. "It's something different they can all do together to build positive memories." SEAS Sailability supports 30 to 60 participants per session and shares its adaptive equipment with The Conway Centre, helping the facility deliver inclusive activities for schools and other groups. The charity now hopes to expand its collaborative model to other commercial centres, increasing opportunities for disabled people across Wales. Activities at SEAS (Image: Karl Midlane) Richard Horovitz, chair of trustees for SEAS Sailability, said: "We're based on the Menai Strait but there are people everywhere who would like to take part in what we do. "As a charity we're moving forward all the time and we're looking to support other Welsh centres to provide these activities because the demand is phenomenal. "We take out lots of people with all types of disabilities who wouldn't otherwise be on the water, along with their families and carers so they are able to share the experience and have fun together. "You only have to see the smiles to be inspired." The RYA Cymru Wales Impact Awards celebrate those who go above and beyond to inspire others to enjoy sailing and watersports. For more information about SEAS Sailability, go online.
North Wales Chronicle
14-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
They have to be playing – Rhian Wilkinson seeking regular action for Wales squad
Wales – the lowest-ranked side in Switzerland – finished last and without a point in Group D, widely viewed as the competition's 'group of death', following their 6-1 loss to defending champions England, who qualified for the quarter-finals alongside France. In order to address what Wilkinson feels is a 'real fitness gap' between her major tournament debutants and top sides like England, the Canadian coach is adamant they need to be more involved at club level. ⏰ FT | 🏴 6-1 🏴 Defeat for Cymru. — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 'An international programme can't really do that,' said Wilkinson. 'We get them on a FIFA window for 10 days. So, my players have to be playing. 'I had five players out of contract here. It's mind-blowing to me. Esther Morgan starts all our games, and she doesn't have a club. 'It drives me wild. As a Canadian who was developed in the US, of course it's not the US' priority to develop the Canadians. I look at some of my players, and it does frustrate me, you can tell. 'I've got to try to find them opportunities abroad, maybe in Scandinavia, maybe I can send them to North America, which is a tough challenge, but they have to be playing. That's the basic.' Goalkeeper Poppy Soper, centre-back Rhiannon Roberts, midfielder Alice Griffiths, forward Kayleigh Barton and former Wales captain Sophie Ingle were all unattached when Wilkinson's squad was unveiled on June 19th, with several others – including Morgan – now looking for new employers after the ends of their club contracts. Roberts has since signed a two-year deal with Women's Super League 2 side Sunderland, while Barton has been named the new head coach for Saltdean United. Ingle is a free agent after leaving Chelsea, where she made 214 appearances and lifted 11 trophies across two spells, but missed out on almost a year of action – and their sixth-straight WSL title – after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last pre-season. She marked her comeback in Wales' Euro 2025 opening loss to the Netherlands. 'The next stage is how do I get (players) into an environment where they're getting that game time?' Wilkinson continued. 'And then the next step is they're not club players, they're international players. 'So what is it that we're doing with Wales to support their sport scientists, because they have to be ready, but they are owned by their club? 'How do we work with them to continue to push their physical standards, because, I'll be honest, we don't have enough of my players right now who are hitting the top-level benchmark.' To every member of The Red Wall who travelled to Switzerland or supported from back home, your passion and unwavering support carried us every step of the way. The legacy of this summer will last far beyond the final whistle. Diolch o galon. ♥️🏴 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 Wilkinson and her players have spoken about the legacy they want to leave, pointing to the example of England's 2022 European champions, who used their triumph to spark policy change and investment into grassroots and school sport. 'I need to get back to Wales and keep making sure that across our country we continue to push opportunities for our young girls, for all sport,' added Wilkinson. 'This is a time in the world with a lot happening. I'm a football manager, I can't speak too much, but I will say that giving equal opportunity to our young girls has got to be something we push for.'
South Wales Guardian
14-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
They have to be playing – Rhian Wilkinson seeking regular action for Wales squad
Wales – the lowest-ranked side in Switzerland – finished last and without a point in Group D, widely viewed as the competition's 'group of death', following their 6-1 loss to defending champions England, who qualified for the quarter-finals alongside France. In order to address what Wilkinson feels is a 'real fitness gap' between her major tournament debutants and top sides like England, the Canadian coach is adamant they need to be more involved at club level. ⏰ FT | 🏴 6-1 🏴 Defeat for Cymru. — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 'An international programme can't really do that,' said Wilkinson. 'We get them on a FIFA window for 10 days. So, my players have to be playing. 'I had five players out of contract here. It's mind-blowing to me. Esther Morgan starts all our games, and she doesn't have a club. 'It drives me wild. As a Canadian who was developed in the US, of course it's not the US' priority to develop the Canadians. I look at some of my players, and it does frustrate me, you can tell. 'I've got to try to find them opportunities abroad, maybe in Scandinavia, maybe I can send them to North America, which is a tough challenge, but they have to be playing. That's the basic.' Goalkeeper Poppy Soper, centre-back Rhiannon Roberts, midfielder Alice Griffiths, forward Kayleigh Barton and former Wales captain Sophie Ingle were all unattached when Wilkinson's squad was unveiled on June 19th, with several others – including Morgan – now looking for new employers after the ends of their club contracts. Roberts has since signed a two-year deal with Women's Super League 2 side Sunderland, while Barton has been named the new head coach for Saltdean United. Ingle is a free agent after leaving Chelsea, where she made 214 appearances and lifted 11 trophies across two spells, but missed out on almost a year of action – and their sixth-straight WSL title – after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last pre-season. She marked her comeback in Wales' Euro 2025 opening loss to the Netherlands. 'The next stage is how do I get (players) into an environment where they're getting that game time?' Wilkinson continued. 'And then the next step is they're not club players, they're international players. 'So what is it that we're doing with Wales to support their sport scientists, because they have to be ready, but they are owned by their club? 'How do we work with them to continue to push their physical standards, because, I'll be honest, we don't have enough of my players right now who are hitting the top-level benchmark.' To every member of The Red Wall who travelled to Switzerland or supported from back home, your passion and unwavering support carried us every step of the way. The legacy of this summer will last far beyond the final whistle. Diolch o galon. ♥️🏴 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 Wilkinson and her players have spoken about the legacy they want to leave, pointing to the example of England's 2022 European champions, who used their triumph to spark policy change and investment into grassroots and school sport. 'I need to get back to Wales and keep making sure that across our country we continue to push opportunities for our young girls, for all sport,' added Wilkinson. 'This is a time in the world with a lot happening. I'm a football manager, I can't speak too much, but I will say that giving equal opportunity to our young girls has got to be something we push for.'
Rhyl Journal
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
They have to be playing – Rhian Wilkinson seeking regular action for Wales squad
Wales – the lowest-ranked side in Switzerland – finished last and without a point in Group D, widely viewed as the competition's 'group of death', following their 6-1 loss to defending champions England, who qualified for the quarter-finals alongside France. In order to address what Wilkinson feels is a 'real fitness gap' between her major tournament debutants and top sides like England, the Canadian coach is adamant they need to be more involved at club level. ⏰ FT | 🏴 6-1 🏴 Defeat for Cymru. — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 'An international programme can't really do that,' said Wilkinson. 'We get them on a FIFA window for 10 days. So, my players have to be playing. 'I had five players out of contract here. It's mind-blowing to me. Esther Morgan starts all our games, and she doesn't have a club. 'It drives me wild. As a Canadian who was developed in the US, of course it's not the US' priority to develop the Canadians. I look at some of my players, and it does frustrate me, you can tell. 'I've got to try to find them opportunities abroad, maybe in Scandinavia, maybe I can send them to North America, which is a tough challenge, but they have to be playing. That's the basic.' Goalkeeper Poppy Soper, centre-back Rhiannon Roberts, midfielder Alice Griffiths, forward Kayleigh Barton and former Wales captain Sophie Ingle were all unattached when Wilkinson's squad was unveiled on June 19th, with several others – including Morgan – now looking for new employers after the ends of their club contracts. Roberts has since signed a two-year deal with Women's Super League 2 side Sunderland, while Barton has been named the new head coach for Saltdean United. Ingle is a free agent after leaving Chelsea, where she made 214 appearances and lifted 11 trophies across two spells, but missed out on almost a year of action – and their sixth-straight WSL title – after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last pre-season. She marked her comeback in Wales' Euro 2025 opening loss to the Netherlands. 'The next stage is how do I get (players) into an environment where they're getting that game time?' Wilkinson continued. 'And then the next step is they're not club players, they're international players. 'So what is it that we're doing with Wales to support their sport scientists, because they have to be ready, but they are owned by their club? 'How do we work with them to continue to push their physical standards, because, I'll be honest, we don't have enough of my players right now who are hitting the top-level benchmark.' To every member of The Red Wall who travelled to Switzerland or supported from back home, your passion and unwavering support carried us every step of the way. The legacy of this summer will last far beyond the final whistle. Diolch o galon. ♥️🏴 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 Wilkinson and her players have spoken about the legacy they want to leave, pointing to the example of England's 2022 European champions, who used their triumph to spark policy change and investment into grassroots and school sport. 'I need to get back to Wales and keep making sure that across our country we continue to push opportunities for our young girls, for all sport,' added Wilkinson. 'This is a time in the world with a lot happening. I'm a football manager, I can't speak too much, but I will say that giving equal opportunity to our young girls has got to be something we push for.'
Glasgow Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
They have to be playing – Rhian Wilkinson seeking regular action for Wales squad
Wales – the lowest-ranked side in Switzerland – finished last and without a point in Group D, widely viewed as the competition's 'group of death', following their 6-1 loss to defending champions England, who qualified for the quarter-finals alongside France. In order to address what Wilkinson feels is a 'real fitness gap' between her major tournament debutants and top sides like England, the Canadian coach is adamant they need to be more involved at club level. ⏰ FT | 🏴 6-1 🏴 Defeat for Cymru. — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 'An international programme can't really do that,' said Wilkinson. 'We get them on a FIFA window for 10 days. So, my players have to be playing. 'I had five players out of contract here. It's mind-blowing to me. Esther Morgan starts all our games, and she doesn't have a club. 'It drives me wild. As a Canadian who was developed in the US, of course it's not the US' priority to develop the Canadians. I look at some of my players, and it does frustrate me, you can tell. 'I've got to try to find them opportunities abroad, maybe in Scandinavia, maybe I can send them to North America, which is a tough challenge, but they have to be playing. That's the basic.' Goalkeeper Poppy Soper, centre-back Rhiannon Roberts, midfielder Alice Griffiths, forward Kayleigh Barton and former Wales captain Sophie Ingle were all unattached when Wilkinson's squad was unveiled on June 19th, with several others – including Morgan – now looking for new employers after the ends of their club contracts. Roberts has since signed a two-year deal with Women's Super League 2 side Sunderland, while Barton has been named the new head coach for Saltdean United. Ingle has left Chelsea after making 214 appearances across two spells (Nigel French/PA) Ingle is a free agent after leaving Chelsea, where she made 214 appearances and lifted 11 trophies across two spells, but missed out on almost a year of action – and their sixth-straight WSL title – after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last pre-season. She marked her comeback in Wales' Euro 2025 opening loss to the Netherlands. 'The next stage is how do I get (players) into an environment where they're getting that game time?' Wilkinson continued. 'And then the next step is they're not club players, they're international players. 'So what is it that we're doing with Wales to support their sport scientists, because they have to be ready, but they are owned by their club? 'How do we work with them to continue to push their physical standards, because, I'll be honest, we don't have enough of my players right now who are hitting the top-level benchmark.' To every member of The Red Wall who travelled to Switzerland or supported from back home, your passion and unwavering support carried us every step of the way. The legacy of this summer will last far beyond the final whistle. Diolch o galon. ♥️🏴 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 Wilkinson and her players have spoken about the legacy they want to leave, pointing to the example of England's 2022 European champions, who used their triumph to spark policy change and investment into grassroots and school sport. 'I need to get back to Wales and keep making sure that across our country we continue to push opportunities for our young girls, for all sport,' added Wilkinson. 'This is a time in the world with a lot happening. I'm a football manager, I can't speak too much, but I will say that giving equal opportunity to our young girls has got to be something we push for.'
