300 days to go #swansea2014

As we mark 300 days to go until the IPC Athletics European Championships kick off in Swansea, 2014 is already set to be a jam packed year of sporting events. Disability Sport Wales Performance Manager, Anthony Hughes tells us about his plans for the upcoming summer series as twelve Welsh athletes have been confirmed by UK Athletics (UKA) that they are to be supported by the National Lottery funded World Class Performance Programme for 2013- 2014.

It is without question that the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea is set to be one of the key highlights of the 2014 season. Our athletes have a long road ahead of them to secure selection for the Europeans but such events enable me, along with British Athletics to set performance targets and to determine the performance level of our Welsh athletes. It will inevitably be a heavily contested event with some of the very best performers from Europe descending on the city.
 

Aled Davies

In the past myself, support staff and athletes have driven thousands of miles across Europe to go to head-to-head with the best on the continent and now it’s time to welcome them on to our turf.  Having the event in Swansea will not only test our Welsh athletes, but also give them that extra drive and determination to win a medal in their own backyard in front of their family and friends. London 2012 brought out the very best in our athletes and I am positive that Swansea will have the same effect.

Kyron Duke

For some of even the most experienced athletes Swansea 2014 will be their first taste of an IPC Athletics European event. London 2012 gold medallists Aled Davies and Josie Pearson as well as newcomers Jordan Howe and Stephen Morris are just a few who will be hoping to be selected for this event for the first time. And they know that they will have to impress British Athletics Head Coach, Paula Dunn for that to happen. Previous reputations count for nothing when you’re in the mix for selection.

Nathan Stephens

I am delighted that these twelve Welsh athletes have been given that support by UKA for the coming year; it also shows the strength in depth within our nation. It’s also important not to forget the likes of Wales-based Hollie Arnold and the numerous talented athletes in our academy programme, who will be pushing hard to gain the ‘A’ standard needed to be in contention for Swansea.

I am confident that Swansea 2014 will deliver an amazing five days of competition, showcasing the best athletes in Europe. This will the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the very best of what Wales has to offer and give the country a platform to host future world-class events.

For further information about #swansea2014 click here.


 

Tom Smith: Deaflympics so far

Cardiff based, Tom Smith is currently competing at the 22nd Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria. Disability Sport Wales has provided financial support to Tom and another Welsh athlete, Emily Noden. Tom gives us an insight to his time at the Deaflympics so far.

Opening Ceremony! It was nice to get out of the hotel for a little bit and spend quality time with the team and see some friends from other nations. I left early as I wanted to chill and get some down time before the sprint the following morning. It’s not my best event but went into it as prepared as I could be. I qualified in 8th place in the 200m time trial. Got through the first round comfortably and then had a good battle with the German- Holger Kleefus. It was close on the line! After seeing that the explosiveness wasn’t going to match the other guys, I decided to surprise and go for a long one in the 5th-8th final. It paid off!

Having done a lot of hard road races in Belgium this year meant that I didn’t get the time to work on the explosiveness or acceleration from a slow speed. The top end is there which I am happy about, so will be putting that to good use on Wednesday at the road race. I had a recon of the course and it looks interesting. It will be more interesting being a sole rider when all the other countries have big teams. We shall see! Check out the tumblr link for brief photos of the sprint, and also check out my follow Welsh mate Emily Noden who is competing in the swimming events. Rising star! Watch her for the future! I will send you a further update soon.

Ashleigh Hellyer: Swansea 2014

My name is Ashleigh Hellyer. I am 22 years old and compete in Shot Putt. I currently sit 12th in the World rankings and 4th in the European rankings.

Ashleigh in his GB kit

I was delighted to find out that Swansea would be the host city of the IPC Athletics Europeans in 2014. I have travelled the world competing  and I am so pleased that it will be coming to Wales and its only 5 miles from where I live. For me personally to have the opportunity to compete on home soil in front of family and friends and the people of Swansea has given me a massive incentive to continue training as hard as I possibly can in order for me to qualify.

It is a great confidence boost with a large home support behind me, seeing familiar faces and hearing familiar voices in the crowd. I believe that after the success of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and the way the Swansea public supported the Paralympic touch relay, I have no doubt that the nation will be well supported.

I think that Swansea is the perfect city to host the 2014 European championships for many reasons; the sporting facilities that Swansea has to offer will be hugely beneficial to all the athletes. The indoor athletics track will cater for all track and field events; there are multiple gyms to use as athletes prepare to compete. Also in down-time, Swansea can offer beautiful coastlines and scenery for everyone to enjoy.

This is also a fantastic achievement for everyone involved as  this is the first time this event is to be held anywhere in the United Kingdom. So come on you people of Swansea and the rest of Wales and Great Britain, get behind us for this amazing event.

From London 2012 to Glasgow 2014

As we mark 500 days to go until the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, our Academy Manager, Gerwyn Owen reflects on the legacy from London as we continue to develop athletes ready for Glasgow 2014.

Six months on from the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and of course we miss that time, but re-focus we’ve had to do! Although for me it has never been just about London 2012.

When London was announced in 2005 as the host for the Olympic & Paralympic Games in 2012, the performance unit within Disability Sport Wales knew then full advantage had to be taken. On the back of a successful Paralympic Games in Sydney (2000) & Athens (2004) we knew we had a model to develop talented athletes to enable them to be selected for the Great Britain team.

 

Jordan Howe joined the DSW Academy
at 9 years old, he competed in his first
major games at London 2012

By simply adopting a talent process, namely the Academy in 2006, we set off on a journey not just to London but to 2016 and beyond. Over the years we have identified athletes as young as 9 years old, and gone on a journey with them. Early success was had in Beijing with 9 out of the 15 Welsh athletes from the academy programme making the ParalympicsGB team.

For London 2012 Paralympic Games my target was to introduce as many new Paralympians into the team from the Academy. Of the 38 Welsh athletes selected for ParalympicsGB, 19 were first time Paralympians, with 18 of them coming through the Academy programme. Additionally of the 38 athletes, 24 had received support and services directly from the Academy programme in the last 4 year Paralympic cycle.

For an athlete it’s all about ‘stepping stones’ – building up on training regimes, competitions and experience. Competitions are integral to the development of an athlete, and it’s heartening to see the Paralympic competition calendar continuing to evolve, with many more opportunities open to athletes than have been previously.

Gerwyn with London 2012 Gold and Bronze
medallist Aled Davies, who has his sights firmly
set on Glasgow 2014

Becoming stronger within the calendar is the Commonwealth Games, where the para-sport opportunity is growing by each Games. Manchester 2002 was the first Commonwealth games  to include Para-sport events, Wales have reaped the rewards with medals being obtained in each subsequent Games.

 

Follow Gerwyn on Twitter - @gerwynowen