The second annual Pembrokeshire Schools Weightlifting Championships took place at Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Fishguard, earlier this month – and it was the hosts themselves who were crowned overall team winners after a superb day of competition.
Organised by Justin Head of Strength Academy Wales (SAW), Bro Gwaun themselves, Sir Thomas Picton, Milford Haven, Greenhill, Pembroke Schools all entered teams of lifters.
Overall, 40 competitors took part, with the younger lifters marked on technique and the older lifters competing with the usual weightlifting format.
Schools also gained points for number of entries – and there were also trophies for best lifters and medals for winners of the different age groups and weight categories.
“The professional set up gave the school lifters a very good and valuable experience. With a very supportive audience of parents and coaches, the day was a great success,” said SAW head coach Simon Roach.
And he added the success of the event was further evidence of how quickly the sport was developing locally.
“School weightlifting has continued to grow in Pembrokeshire.
“With some school clubs already established and others coming on board, weightlifting in the county is developing rapidly. Younger members of clubs are learning to develop and practice techniques, work on developing mobility, balance, co-ordination, core stability – and gradually increasing resistance when safe lifting techniques are mastered.
“In Pembrokeshire, there are now close to 20 qualified weightlifting coaches and 16 technical officials aiding the development of the sport. A huge difference looking back to 2013 when there was only one!”
Justin, who like Simon also works with Weightlifting Wales, has worked alongside Pembrokeshire Leisure to help educate local coaches and Physical Education staff up to level 2 National Governing Body awards.
Team competition:
1 – Ysgol Bro Gwaun
2 – Pembroke
3 – Greenhill
4 – STP
5 – Milford
Best lifters:
U13 Female – Lexi Thomas, Pembroke
U15 Female – Seren Mitchell, STP
U13 Male – Dan Davies, STP
U15 Male – Jack Thomas, Pembroke
U17 Male – Dan Thomas, STP
Also in attendance at this event were volunteer technical officials Darren Rogers and Stephen Donovan, coaches Joel Meredith, Sarah Owens, Brittany Thomas, Carl Rees, and Simon Roach, and PE staff coaching were Chris Shousha, Lucy Griffiths, and Steve Martin.
The event was sponsored by JPI Apparel, a gym clothing company which funded the trophies.
National Governing Body affiliated clubs in Pembrokeshire are Strength Academy Wales, Haverfordwest; South Pembs Weightlifting Club, Pembroke Dock; and in the process of getting affiliated are Project Fitness, Tenby.