IN THIS ISSUE:
• COMMUNITY FOCUS
• WELSH SUCCESS AT PARIS '24
• CARDIFF HALF ACHIEVEMENT
• LEARNER FEEDBACK
Welcome to the latest Sport Edition of Portal Connect!
In this issue, we shine a spotlight on Cardiff-based running and walking football club Phoenix 681FC, celebrate Welsh success at Paris '24, and hear from some of our current learners about their ILM learning journey.
Remember, if you would like to contribute to the next edition of Portal Connect or have a community club, team, or event to promote, please get in touch - we would love to feature you.
In the meantime, take five minutes out of your day, grab a cuppa, and join us as we connect with our colleagues, clubs, and organisations across the sports sector...
Date: Wed, 30 Oct - Fri, 01 Nov 2024
Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Cost: £13 per day or £36 for three days*
Skill level: Improver, Beginner
Coach: Melissa Davies
Venue: Whitchurch Tennis Club, CF14 1AW
Bookings are now open for Whitchurch Tennis Club’s (WTC) October Half Term Camps!
The camps will take place over three days, from Wednesday, 30th October to Friday, 1st November. Led by WTC Head Coach Melissa, these camps are suitable for youngsters of all abilities aged 5 and up. The fun-packed sessions include multi-sports, coordination activities, and competitions.
Secure your spot now through ClubSpark or by contacting Head Coach Melissa: email: melissahouse9@hotmail.co.uk tel: 07837 172478
See you on the court!
*A member discount of 20.0% is available
In this issue we shine the light on Phoenix 681FC, a Cardiff-based running and walking football club for individuals living with Parkinson’s.
Phoenix 681FC is a Cardiff-based running and walking football club for individuals living with Parkinson’s. Founded in 2018, inspired by three local players who represented Britain at the Ray Kennedy Cup, the club takes its name from dopamine’s chemical number, 681, a neurotransmitter reduced in Parkinson's. The team’s mission is to improve both the physical and mental well-being of individuals through football.
Open to anyone with Parkinson’s, the club’s youngest player is 42, while the oldest is still going strong at 76. Phoenix 681FC has proudly competed in international, national, and local tournaments, and welcomes new members eager to join the fun and supportive community.
Football has proven to be a powerful tool in combating the challenges of Parkinson's. Join us on the pitch or simply come along to cheer us on!
PRACTICE SESSION INFORMATION:
Practice sessions are held every Tuesday from 7-8pm at Ocean Park Arena and are led by dedicated coaches:
Paul Richards - Running football Colin Dickens - Walking football
VENUE:
Ocean Park Arena, Ocean Way Cardiff, CF24 5HF
PHOENIX 681FC SEEKING SPONSOR!
With your backing, the team can continue providing this valuable service to the local Parkinson’s community!
Football has proven to be a powerful tool in combating the challenges of Parkinson’s. If you or your organisation are able to offer financial support, please contact:
Antony Evans (Spuddy): 07887 735390
56 athletes from Wales have crossed the Channel this summer and have returned with 29 medals.
But of course, it’s not all about podium positions – it’s about extraordinary moments, pushing your limits and an unrivalled showcase of sport for the next generation.
Let’s recap Wales at the Games…
Yes, we’re a small nation but once again we proved to be a powerhouse. 35 Welsh athletes, a record number, were selected by Team GB for the Olympics and 21 Welsh athletes headed to Paris this year as part of ParaGB, who celebrated the best-ever Paralympic medal haul in 20 years.
You did not have to look far for a Welsh athlete – from archery and athletics to taekwondo and wheelchair fencing, Wales was certainly well represented across a wide range of sports.
Wales’ strength was particularly evident in the Olympic cycling and swimming events. In fact, three of the four riders that won bronze in the Women’s Team Pursuit are Welsh.
And at the Paralympics, Wales contributed four of the 11-strong table tennis squad – that’s 36%.
We saw a near 50/50 split when it came to male and female competitors at Paris 2024. Of the 56 Welsh athletes, including reserves, 27 were women.
And notable highlights include:
• Elinor Barker who became the most decorated Welsh woman at the Olympics when she won her fourth medal.
• Emma Finucane becoming the first British woman athlete to win three medals at a single Olympic Games since 1928.
• Jodie Grinham winning two medals while seven months pregnant at the Paralympic Games.
We’ve whooped and celebrated some extraordinary moments from our Olympians and Paralympians:
• Matt Bush becoming the first man to win a para-taekwondo gold medal for ParalympicsGB – and went on to be the flagbearer at the closing ceremony.
• Sabrina Fortune breaking her own world record on her first throw of the Paralympics.
• Ruby Evans causing Wales to jump for joy when she became the first Welsh gymnast to compete at an Olympic Games since 1996.
• Anna Hursey entering the history books as Wales’ first ever Olympic table tennis player –and she’s just 18!
• Ella Maclean-Howell blazing a trail as Wales’ first mountain biker to compete at an Olympic Games.
• Jasmine Joyce gaining legend status, becoming Great Britain’s first rugby player to appear at three different Olympic Games.
• Matt Richards as part of the first ever swimming team to defend an Olympic relay gold medal with the same four team members.
• Ben Pritchard leading the single scull para rowing from start to the finish and winning by more than 10 seconds. We were tired just watching.
• Laura Sugar setting a new Paralympic record as she successfully defended her Paralympic title in the women’s para canoe KL3 event.
Wales’ athletes have delivered incredible performances, win or lose. Their sheer determination and the journeys that have brought them to this moment have brought a tear to many an eye as they have triumphed over adversity.
Without the support of The National Lottery, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I’ve achieved.
Aled Davies Paralympian
• Josh Tarling suffering a puncture in the men’s cycling time trial race only to race right back into contention.
• Olivia Breen narrowly missing out on bronze but bouncing back to encourage others to follow their dreams, “Find what you’re good at and don’t ever give up because you never know.”
• Jeremiah Azu missed out on the men’s 100m after a false start but made an epic comeback in the men’s 4x100m relay.
Olympians and Paralympians giving their all and, despite disappointments, picking themselves back up and cheering on their teammates and inspiring others.
This was certainly Paris’ greatest show and on stage was an array of athletes from Wales that are strong believers in trying out and enjoying as many sports as possible in your younger years.
Just take rower Ben Pritchard who has also enjoyed competing in sailing and triathlon. Cyclist James Ball is actually a former swimmer while para canoeist Laura Sugar represented Wales in non-disabled hockey. Matt Bush was a javelin thrower before he discovered taekwondo and, of course, Olivia Breen competed in the 100m and the long jump.
What a multi-talented bunch!
LLoyd
The biggest supporter of our Olympians and Paralympians are the players of The National Lottery.
The good causes funding has been a game changer for Welsh sport for almost 30 years, supporting our top athletes so they can train full-time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering sports science and medical support.
The National Lottery also supports the community clubs that nurture young talents as well as world-class sporting facilities such as the Geraint Thomas Velodrome in Newport and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
As Aled Davies – who has won three golds, a silver and a bronze over four Paralympic Games – says:
“Without the support of The National Lottery, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I’ve achieved. It has allowed me to progress, push that world record up every year and now I’ve taken the sport to a place that no one ever thought. It’s down to the amazing support of The National Lottery and all the amazing players out there.”
We’ve definitely had more enquiries from parents whose children have watched the Games and want to give cycling a go...
Our stars of Paris are fuelling the dreams of young people. How many children watched the sporting drama unfold and decide, “That’s what I want to do”?
And of course, it’s not just about inspiring the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians, it’s sparking an enthusiasm to get on your bike, get in the pool, to run fast or just try something new.
Ed Davies is the club secretary at Towy Riders in Carmarthen; the club where it all started for golden girl Emma Finucane. He says the Paris effect is undeniable:
“We’ve definitely had more enquiries from parents whose children have watched the Games and want to give cycling a go. Our junior members have been tremendously excited – they’ve been blown away to see what a girl who came through the club has achieved on the world’s biggest stage.”
Article courtesy of Sport Wales. Read it in full here: www.sport.wales/media-centre/ latest-news/how-did-welsh-athletesperform-at-paris-2024
If you’ve been inspired by Paris 2024, there are lots of opportunities to get involved in sport right across Wales.
Just visit your local authority’s leisure services website or get in touch with a National Governing Body of Sport – like Welsh Athletics, Welsh Cycling or Table Tennis Wales - to find your nearest club.
If you’re looking for disability sport opportunities in your area, the team at Disability Sport Wales would love to chat with you.
We are incredibly proud to share Shawn’s recent accomplishment in the Cardiff Half Marathon.
Our Business Relations Team Leader raised £250 for the Alzheimer's Society, hitting 100% of his fundraising goal!
Not only did he complete the challenge, but Shawn also supported a cause very close to his heart, helping those affected by dementia.
“I chose this charity as I have had family members and others in my social network suffer with the disease, and I wanted to raise some money, while also keeping fit.”
The Alzheimer’s Society is dedicated to improving the lives of those living with dementia today, while striving for a world where dementia no longer devastates lives through vital research and campaigns.
Congratulations Shawn on your amazing effort and contribution!
Shawn shared:
Donations are still being gratefully received at Shawn's Just Giving page
This qualification is ideal for those who are new to a gym/fitness environment, or wish to forge a career in gym-based instructing and progress to become a Personal Trainer.
Citbag is a Sport Wales hub that offers hundreds of FREE resources designed to equip not only teachers, but also parents, guardians, volunteers, coaches, and learners with the tools and materials to help children develop fundamental movement skills, motivation, and confidence for a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity and sport.
The resources have been developed by education and sporting specialists, with support from the Welsh Government.
Register for FREE!
Join us, our guest speakers and network with colleagues from across the sport and business sector. We will share further information
FREE EVENT:
WHEN: February 20th, 2024
WHERE: Ocean Park House, Cardiff, CF24 5ET
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Lloyd Ashley, MD Living Well with Lloyd Ashley Simon Delve, CEO Samten
If you are a CIMSPA Practitioner member, you will receive 10 CPD points upon completion of the Level 2 Certificate in Coaching.
15 month programme
This qualification is designed for those who have responsibility for the planning, delivery and evaluation of linked and progressive coaching sessions.
TO FIND OUT MORE, CONTACT: Shawn Staples 07706 330206 shawn.staples@portaltraining.co.uk
We are thrilled to share some recent learner feedback from sporting organisations that have engaged with our training programmes over the past 12 months.
Currently working as Head of Education at Swansea City, Jordan has 14 years of experience working in further education.
When discussing what motivated him to pursue a Leadership & Management qualification, Jordan said:
"I wanted to develop my leadership skills to enhance my own practice and aspire others within my workplace."
He also commented:
"The support has been excellent, my assessor has been very helpful and efficient with feedback and communication to support my development."
Donna has a varied role at Newport County AFC, having worked for the club as a ticket office volunteer, shop assistant, administration team member, and as part of the match day team.
Her motivation for pursuing the ILM qualification stemmed from a desire to develop herself in order to better support the club.
I've been able to apply a variety of different leadership styles with a range of stakeholders, in order to achieve the best working partnership, enhancing our education department moving forward.
Donna commented:
"I am enjoying learning. I am out of my comfort zone... It has been interesting, i've completed assignments that i didn't think i would be able to."
She added:
"It's amazing what can be achieved if you have the right support and guidance."
I really liked exploring th topic of stress and conflict. It gave me an opportunity to explore how I could relieve and reduce stress for myself and my team. This is really benefitting me as I haven't really proactively thought about how I could strategically reduce my own stress levels.
Dean Pymble Campaign Manager for Wales Show Racism the Red Card
Dean Pymble is the Wales Campaign Manager for Show Racism the Red Card
In his role, he manages and coordinates the team, stakeholders, and funders across Wales and the South West of England, while also serving on the senior management team.
Dean commented:
"My motivation to undertake the qualification was to upskill my own knowledge and skills, making sure I'm supporting and leading the staff in the most effective manner whilst exploring different project management tools."
Dean Pymble
Show Racism The Red Card ILM Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Management and Leadership
My new assessor is very supportive and understands my challenges in balancing work pressures with course requirements. She also challenges my thinking and has given me different ways of looking at management.
Paul Rowe
Cricket Wales | Criced Cymru
ILM Level 4 Diploma in Management & Leadership
Paul Rowe is a Cricket Development Officer with Cricket Wales.
His role is divided between delivering cricket coaching programmes in primary schools and working with local clubs on club development.
When discussing the course content, Paul commented:
"The Values, Beliefs and Attitudes section has been a thoughtful and challenging aspect. It has made me think more about mine. I've probably not given it much or enough thought, so it has extended my understanding of what they are and how my own Values, Beliefs and Attitudes impact my working life."
Diolch/Thank you...
We hope you enjoyed the latest edition of Portal Connect.
If you would like to contribute to the next edition or have a community club, team or event to promote, please get in touch!
CONTACT:
Helen Hallam
Marketing, Design and Communications Manager 07711 596558
helen.hallam@portaltraining.co.uk
If you would like further information regarding any of our Sports sector qualifications, please contact:
Shawn Staples
Business Relations Team Leader 07706 330206
shawn.staples@portaltraining.co.uk