It’s been an extremely busy few months for Pembrokeshire based Social enterprise “Pembrokeshire Weightlifting” known as SAW Cymru.
In January, the sports club had a fantastic start to the year, Chloe Hood was selected to be part of the Great Britain Youth Weightlifting squad and in the first week of January she was invited to take part in her first ever British training camp, held at Sport Wales National Sports Centre. Chloe’s training plan over the following months included refining technique, building strength and targets set to hopefully qualify for the European Youth Championships later in the year.
Late January, saw the National Senior Weightlifting Championships, also being held at Sport Wales National Sports Centre with Para Powerlifters Harry Thomas and Nathan Stephens lifting exceptionally well. Harry, youth SAW Para athlete gaining a bronze medal and a PB bench of 63kg and Nathan, senior Commonwealth Games athlete taking gold medal and a PB of 141kg.
In the 58kg category, Junior weightlifter Niamh Roach gained a 5th place in her first ever senior event. Daisy Melhuish performing extremely well won gold and the Welsh title. Junior lifter James Hart, broke all of his personal bests, to take the Silver medal and youth lifter Chloe Hood also broke competition PB’s to gain a 4th place in her first ever senior event.
The team of disability Powerlifters and Weightlifters were supported by the clubs coaching staff Simon Roach and Jim Horner. While other Pembrokeshire members, included Justin Head, competition manager and a large group of Pembrokeshire volunteer Technical Officials Stephen Donovan, Darren Rogers, Alex John, Niamh Roach, Brittney Thomas, Ruth Hardern and Helena Madan supported the event.
During the first weekend of February, two of the younger club members competed in the Youth British championships, held in Luton. Daniel Thomas u17 and Seren Mitchell U15 both performed extremely well, making personal bests and securing Bronze medals. The lifters were supported by Simon Roach and Justin Head, coaching them throughout the event. Pembrokeshire Technical officials Stephen Donovan and year 13 STP student Alex John were key members of the British officiating team. Alex being one of the youngest British technical officials.
Back in Pembrokeshire, Bangor University continued to physically and psychologically test lifters from the club as part of the Weightlifting Wales National identification programme.
Mid February, Simon Roach, James Horner and Nathan Stephens attended the final training camp for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Also, at the training camp a day was set aside for the South Wales Talent Squad, this squad trained with the Commonwealth Games team and also took part in educational sessions for developing athletes. A large contingent of the South Wales Talent squad are from Pembrokeshire. Namely, Dan Thomas, Louis Thomas, James Hart, Chloe Hood, Anita Madan, Niamh Roach, Daisy Melhuish. SAW coach Justin Head also attended this training camp.
Professional development opportunities continued at SAW. Thomas Reuben gained a wealth of experience while studying a Master’s Degree and ex-Welsh Rugby player Wayne Proctor, who is also an ex- Scarlets and ex-Wales Conditioning expert, continued to develop his knowledge of Weightlifting.
In March, Members involved in Sport throughout Pembrokeshire began new training programmes designed by Simon Roach, many members made exceptional strength gains over the following months, especially Calum Macdougall, Dan Birch, Jamie Condon, Luke Potter, Thomas Reuben, Lloyd Griffiths and Rory Brown.
Late March, the Commonwealth Games Weightlifting and Para powerlifting Team departed for Gold Coast. Leading the team, Simon Roach as Team manager and in doing so attending his fifth Games; Also from the Pembrokeshire based club, James Horner, Para Powerlifting coach at his first Games and Nathan Stephens, previous Javelin Paralympic athlete and now Para Powerlifting athlete also at his first Commonwealth Games. Nathan competed exceptionally well following a 15 day preparation period with Team Wales at the Gold Coast, Commonwealth Games village and made a successful 140kg bench press in the “up to 72kg” weight category.
April saw Stephen Donovan, International Technical Official made the fourth club member to depart from Pembrokeshire to the Commonwealth Games, selected by the International Weightlifting Federation, Stephen officiated at Gold Coast.
Strongman Rory Brown announced that he is organising a Strongman contest in Pembrokeshire later on in the year and many members have changed their training regimes to incorporate strongman exercises and have already signed up to the event.
Weightlifting Wales announced that two SAW youth members were selected to compete for their Country in Austria. 12 year old Daniel Davies and 14 year old Seren Mitchell selected for this development event. Daniel Thomas also selected, although due to exam commitments had to turn the invitation down. All members attend STP school.
Justin Head organised a fantastic Inter-club Weightlifting event in Haverfordwest for clubs in the South West Wales and up to mid Wales area. 24 lifters from Pembrokeshire competed, some in their first ever competition. Many club volunteers supported the day and made it a real success. Carl Rees, Niamh Roach, James Horner, Alex John, Darren Rogers, Stephen Donovan, Sarah Owens, Brittany Thomas, Robin Williams, Thomas Reuben and Lloyd Griffiths.
Ashleigh Barnikel, Welsh Judo athlete won the British Judo Schools Championships and continues to use SAW to condition for Judo and to compete in Weightlifting.
May was an extremely busy month. Chloe Hood was selected by Great Britain for the European Youth Championships, to be held in Malan, Italy, in July. Chloe also attended a British training camp at Loughborough University.
Following a gruelling winter strength programme, James Tomlinson competed in Germany against the best throwers in the World in his age category, he gained a well-deserved 3rdplace.
Strongman, Rory Brown fine-tuned his training to win the “muscle to masses” Strongman event.
SAW continued to provide coach education and professional development opportunities with Justin Head tutoring a National Governing Body level one award for local volunteer coaches.
IronMan, Kristian Speake, made a remarkable recovery and began to train again nearly 12 weeks after waking up from a coma, following serious head trauma.
Not long after coaching at the Commonwealth Games, James Horner was selected by Great Britain to help coach the British Para Powerlifting Team at the European Championships, France. They returned home with a large medal count.
Back to International coaching duties, Simon Roach led the Welsh development team to Austria to compete in the Junior battle. Joined by Pembrokeshire coach Justin Head who attended this event for the first time and was highly involved with the coaching of the athletes. Club members Daniel Thomas u12 and Seren Mitchell u14 along with other Welsh developing athletes, demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and performed to their best, gaining personal bests, Welsh records and medals.
SAW is a Pembrokeshire Weightlifting project, voluntarily managed as a social enterprise. The club is open to all & many people from various backgrounds gain boundless benefits to their personal & social lives, especially those who are disabled, from low income families, have learning needs & those who are looked after. The key success of this sports club is the ability of the coaches to connect & engage members of all abilities through same activities, developing them as one, also vitally important is the way members support and aid each other.
The club has been fantastic at reducing barriers to sport & really opens up participation to all in Pembrokeshire, it certainly provides opportunities for disadvantaged groups to benefit from activities & has changed perceptions, attitudes, increasing participation levels. The sports club provides opportunities for residents of all ages to enjoy and benefit from recreational & competitive Weightlifting, Disability Powerlifting, health, fitness, Sport conditioning & social activities.
Coaches & volunteers have built up excellent experience & are suitably qualified to ensure differentiated coaching throughout all sessions, allowing all to achieve varying goals. New volunteers and coaches learn from current good practise.
There is an extraordinary, supportive environment, nurturing and developing members, both in sport, well-being and confidence. Inclusiveness plays an important role with the club.
The club is actively seeking more members, all are welcome. For further information please contact Simon Roach
The community based social enterprise has a remarkably good partnership with Pembrokeshire County council and they are based at Sir Thomas Picton Sports centre.
