Llanelli Town Council is supporting up and coming sporting talent nurtured at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Sports Academy.
The academy, which is open to all students, provides students with the opportunity of achieving their maximum potential in individual and team sports whilst studying a programme area of their choice.
To support student performance, built within the academy timetable are sessions in strength and conditioning, coaching, and physiotherapy support to develop competition performance. Teams play in a range of Welsh and British championships including the televised WRU U18s league and the English Colleges Football Association league.
The continued support from Llanelli Town Council has a major positive impact on the both the learners and the ability of the academy staff to maximise potential. The influence of the sports academy on individuals’ future sporting careers is evident in the high number of past academy players who are now representing Wales in the Six Nations rugby tournament. Seven of the men and women playing rugby for Wales experienced the academy system.
Every year, students are also successful in gaining football scholarships in America and in addition, this year, a former student is heading to the Gold Coast to compete in the Commonwealth Games as a triathlete.
Along with supporting the delivery of the academy, the Town Council contribution has helped purchase team kits for men’s rugby, women’s rugby and netball. All Academy students have hoodies sponsored by the council to give the academy a professional image.
Llanelli Town Mayor, Cllr. Jeff Edmunds, said: “Llanelli Town Council continues to provide many much needed services across its area for its community and through sponsorship the council continues to support sporting clubs and organisations helping them to deliver not only athletes that can achieve higher honours but also an identity within our community.
“I wish the college every success in the future.”
Elaine Rees, assistant curriculum head at Coleg Sir Gâr said: “We are very grateful for Llanelli Town Council’s continuous support and for the vital and charitable sponsorship they have provided us with which is essential for the profile of our teams and Carmarthenshire in Welsh and English leagues.”
Picture caption: Councillor Jeff Edmunds, Llanelli Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor Mrs BAL Roberts at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Graig campus in Llanelli with sports lecturing staff and students from the rugby and netball college academies.