While Wales have broken records for their FIFA rankings since Euro 2016, Welsh football has set equally high standards at grassroots level.

UEFA have recognised Wales among seven nations, alongside the likes of England, Germany and the Netherlands, to be awarded its Grassroots Charter Gold Standard.

National team manager Ryan Giggs paid tribute to the volunteers and innovative programmes that impressed UEFA so much, saying:

“This is recognition of the great work that’s been done over the years. To be a part of that special group of countries and to be recognised alongside them is massive.

“It can only inspire the coaches of tomorrow, knowing that Welsh football is at the pinnacle of European football, in the standards that we’ve set. Now we have to keep to those standards and build on it.”

In awarding the Grassroots Charter Gold Standard UEFA have recognised the work being done to grow the game and transform communities in the FAW Trust’s innovative social programmes like Beatball, Cics Cymru, McDonald’s Fun Football and Lidl Play More Football.

FAW Trust Chief Executive Neil Ward believes the award should be celebrated together with partners, clubs as well as the huge army of volunteers and insists there is still more work to be done.

He said: “While we are thrilled to receive the gold standard, we do realise there is still more work to do. We are committed to achieving 50% of children in Wales playing football once a week by 2024.

“To do that, of course, there are certain challenges we need to overcome. Women and girls is a huge priority and will remain a key focus. We have to keep our eye on the ball in terms of our coaches and volunteers; encouraging new people to support the game and to develop their skills. Access to quality facilities is also a huge issue for football and we will continue to work with local partners to ensure that the people of Wales have places to play.”

The FAW Trust appreciate that Grassroots forms the lifeblood of football.

To learn more about how the FAWT strive to provide football for everybody, everywhere in Wales read here: http://www.fawtrust.cymru/grassroots/.

Video below:

Video of Wales National team manager Ryan Giggs paying tribute to the volunteers and innovative programmes.

An Aberystwyth University graduate has been awarded a prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
Melisa Basol graduated with a BSc in Psychology from Aberystwyth University in July 2017 before going to Cambridge University to study for an MPhil.
She will start her PhD in Psychology at Pembroke College, Cambridge, in autumn 2018.
Melisa is one of 92 students who will take up their scholarships later this year after being selected from a total pool of 5,798 applicants.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are award to the most academically exceptional and socially committed people from across the globe and is recognised as the University of Cambridge’s most prestigious international postgraduate scholarship.
Melisa said: “I feel very honoured to be entering a community of like-minded and ambitious individuals who are determined to make an impact. And whilst this fund is incredibly prestigious and generous, I am aware that this would have not been possible without the trust and unconditional support of my department at Aber. My accomplishments are a mere reflection of the guidance and encouragement I have received throughout my undergraduate degree and beyond.”
The Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University, Professor Elizabeth Treasure, said: “On behalf of Aberystwyth University, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to our alumna Melisa and wish her every success in her new scholarship. I am aware that competition for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is intense, and only those who demonstrate exceptional intellectual ability, a commitment to improving the lives of others and real leadership potential are successful so this is a highly impressive achievement.”
Professor Nigel Holt, Head of the Department of Psychology at Aberystwyth University, said: “The Psychology team here at Aberystwyth work very hard to help students be the very best that they can. It was clear to us very early on that she was an exceptional student and we are extremely proud of her achievements. We all have students we will remember for ever, and who make our decision to work in universities even more worthwhile and Melisa is certainly one of those.”
Funded through a $210 million donation by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, around 90 Cambridge scholars are selected each year from a pool of the most academically outstanding applicants to the University.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship aims to identify and select applicants who are academically outstanding and are likely to be transformative leaders across all fields of endeavour.
The Scholarship also places an emphasis on selecting those with a proven interest in improving the lives of others by helping address the numerous challenges we face locally, regionally and globally.
Professor Barry Everitt, Provost of the Gates Cambridge Trust, said: “We are delighted with the exceptional quality of applications for the Gates Cambridge programme for 2018 entry. The Trust has selected 92 excellent Scholars from a wide range of backgrounds to pursue their graduate studies at Cambridge and we very much look forward to welcoming them to Cambridge and the Gates Cambridge community in October.”

Photo: Melisa Basol studying Psychology at Aberystwyth University

Links:
Department of Psychology
www.aber.ac.uk/en/psychology
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
www.gatesscholar.org

On Saturday, May 19, Carmarthen Town AFC plays host, once again, to the ‘Nigel Williams Memorial Day’.

Nigel was a Carmarthen Town stalwart who worked tirelessly for the club over many years in his role as treasurer, committee member and volunteer.

He is greatly missed by club, family and friends.

You are all invited to Richmond Park, Carmarthen, to support a great day.

Ospreys Rugby are delighted to announce that Giorgi Nemsadze will remain with the Region next season after earning an extension to the short term deal he signed in March.

The 33-year old Georgian has made a positive impression since arriving at Llandarcy Academy of Sport and has featured twice for the Ospreys in the Guinness PRO14 to date.

“I’m really happy to be staying with the Ospreys” said Nemsadze, currently preparing for Sunday’s Champions Cup qualifier against Ulster.

“I’m proud to play for this team and I hope that I can help the Ospreys to be successful. I really like Swansea and Wales, and I’m looking forward to being here next season and, maybe, after that as well.”

After captaining Georgia to European Rugby Championship (Six Nations B) success earlier this year, the 81 times capped Nemsadze will link up with the Lelos again next month for their summer internationals against Tonga, Fiji and Japan.

Dan Griffiths, Rugby General Manager at the Ospreys, welcomed the confirmation that the former Montauban, Agen, Tarbes and Bristol man will be part of the squad in 2018/19, saying:

“Giorgi has already made a big impression with his physicality and the leadership qualities you’d expect of an international captain, quickly settling in to our environment. 

“He is someone with huge experience. He’s battle hardened, and is a first class professional who can be a positive influence, helping the development of our younger players while providing the coaches with another quality option in the pack.”

Nemsadze is the 13^th current senior squad member at the Ospreys to commit for next season, following on from skipper Alun Wyn Jones, Welsh internationals Rory Thornton, Rhodri Jones, James King, Owen Watkin, Adam Beard and Sam Cross, along with Olly Cracknell, Ma’afu Fia, Sam Parry and highly rated youngsters Will Jones and Reuben Morgan-Williams.

In addition, 11 local teenagers have been secured on development contracts with three of them, Dewi Cross, Dewi Lake and Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, having already featured for the senior Ospreys team this season.

Eluned Morgan, Mid and West Wales AM, is holding a Money and Wellbeing Advice event called “Your Health, Your Wealth” at the Miner’s Welfare Hall in Ammanford on Friday 18th May between 10.30am and 1.30pm.

She says:

“Come along to this free event for advice on how to manage money and keep well by speaking to advisors from a range of local organisations including Citizens Advice, Men’s Sheds Cymru, Eiriol, Carmarthenshire Trading Standards, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the local Credit Union and many more.

“I will also be holding an advice surgery, if you have an issue to discuss do come along and see me on Friday 18th May 2018 at the Miner’s Welfare Hall, Ammanford between 10.30 – 1.30pm.”