2 12 starts here... Welcome to

The and aren’t just coming to in 2012, they are coming to the whole of the UK. I want to remind everyone about that and what we have to offer here in Wales.

We have a huge head start. Wherever you go in the world if you mention the , everyone knows exactly where you’re talking about. So when you suggest coming to train in Wales people make the link between the country and sport, and when you’ve got that tie in, people take you seriously. Teams will come to Wales because of our great world class facilities that can accommodate every Olympic and Paralympic sport.

All the facilities included in this guide have been accredited by LOCOG and are included in the offi cial London 2012 Pre Games Training Guide.

Colin Jackson | Former 110m hurdles World Champion, World Record Holder and Olympic Silver Medallist Croeso i Gymru Contents

– that’s how we say Introduction 01 ` 02 ‘Welcome to Wales’ in Welsh Major events 03 ` 06 Newport area 07 ` 10 area 11 ` 16 area 17 ` 20 North Wales area 21 ` 24 Wales Outdoors 25 ` 32 Fact File 33 ` 38

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WALES

SWANSEA NEWPORT LONDON CARDIFF 17 25

© Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales (2008) copyright © Crown Wales to London in 2 hours by rail or road... To begin at the beg

Wales is an integral part of the , but our We cherish our athletes and competitors whatever Welsh heritage, language and culture go back way before their chosen sport and show huge warmth and respect that union. Take our national Red Dragon fl ag for example. to athletes and competitors who visit us from other We believe we are the only country in the entire world countries. It is why we have developed and are still that entered the Third Millennium with the same national delivering world class facilities across the nation both for fl ag we entered the Second Millennium with! Throughout training and competition. In certain sports like rugby we our long history, Wales’s belief that it has a special compete internationally only as Wales. In many others we contribution has burned bright and today our national are represented as Wales in the spirit is stronger than ever. while forming part of Team GB at the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. So if you want a competitive or It’s easy to get to Wales. Our capital Cardiff is just two friendly fi xture element to your training in the build up to hours from London. From or 2012 our National Governing Bodies of Sport can provide We cherish our athletes airport it’s just a 50 minute drive and you’re in Wales. plenty of high level competition. and competitors whatever We’re passionate about who we are and about our Wales has hosted huge high profi le sporting events like the language, one of Europe’s oldest and a thriving part of their chosen sport and show huge 1999 Rugby , and on 6 occasions the FA Cup our increasingly diverse Welsh culture where a great Final, the World White Water Racing Championships in warmth and respect to athletes many of the world’s languages and communities are well 2002. Women’s World Cup and the Wales Rally GB. established. English by the way is understood everywhere. and competitors who visit us from In 2010 golf’s will be played here in Wales. And We’re passionate about our landscape…cities and towns in 2012 we are very proud that our iconic and magnifi cent other countries. It is why we have buzzing with energy, plenty of hills and mountains and a Millennium Stadium will host Olympic soccer as part of stunning coastline. Wales may be small, but if you could developed and are still delivering the London 2012 Games. roll it out fl at it would defi nitely be bigger than – world class facilities across the maybe even bigger than Texas! There are three million of Wales’ success is not just about these great sports nation both for training and us, a warm and free spirited people in this living breathing facilities. We have set those out with the London 2012 country and we are most certainly passionate about sport. Organising Committee in a Pre Games Training Guide. competition.

1 ginning...

Wales’ X Factor is the welcome all our people will offer the visiting squads. On top of that, as a small, smart nation we deliver a responsive and highly effective Team Wales approach. This involves the Welsh Assembly Government and all of its sporting, cultural, economic development, and tourism agencies and all the local authorities. Other key partners like our police forces, the universities and colleges and health Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE Richard Palmer CBE agencies play their vital part in ‘Team Wales’. z 11 Paralympic Gold Medals Vice-President, British Olympic Association z We know Wales is a great place to train, a great place 6 London Wheelchair Marathons and a member of Sports Council Wales to compete and to host events. It’s also a fantastic and The Paralympic Games are the jewel in the Having been very closely involved in the a safe place to visit. Of course we’d like the world to crown of disability sport. For Wales, London establishment and use of Training and know it too because overseas teams will get a terrifi c 2012 provides a generation of supporters Holding Camps across the world since the welcome in Wales. as well as athletes with a once in a lifetime opportunity early 1980s, I’m in no doubt that Wales will deliver a to experience the Games’ unique and unrivalled world class experience for visiting athletes and their atmosphere on home soil. support teams of coaches and offi cials. From my perspective and as I look back on my athletics Wales has real depth of individual and organisational career the passion for , across cultures and the experience gained at the highest levels of international athletic community is something really special. Wales has competition and the capacity to ensure that complex top class facilities within close commuting distance of each arrangements are well co-ordinated. All this combined other and is very well located in the UK. Basically Wales has with our excellent facilities and the Welsh friendliness everything an athlete needs indoor and outdoor. And they for which we are famously known will create a real buzz Rt. Hon Rhodri Morgan AM | are existing facilities so you know what you’re getting! of excitement and positive energy here in Wales in the run up to and well beyond the London 2012 Olympic First Minister for Wales I look forward to supporting you on your journey Games and Paralympic Games. to London 2012 and welcoming you to Wales!

2 Major events in

3 Wales © Crown copyright (2008) VisitWales

The Ryder Cup 2010 z z Newport from 27 Septemberto 3October2010. Cup itself whichtakes place at theCelticManor Resort, to welcoming visitors from aroundtheworld fortheRyder events held inWales. Andof coursewe’relookingforward bid asacatalyst toincreasethenumberof international We areallcommittedto usingthesuccessful Ryder Cup leisure venue. 1,288 kmof its richcultureandrangeof recreationalpursuitsandits in sportingandaccommodation venues togetherwith all majorcitiesacrosstheUK andfacilities secondto none public andprivatesectorinitiatives. Fast transportlinksto supported throughacoordinated programmeinvolving expertise forhostingmajorevents witha‘cando’ attitude

2006 Ryder CupTeam EuropeCaptain 1991 USMastersChampion,formerWorld No.1 proud. ItshowsthatWales hasdeveloped an achievement ofwhichwearejustifiably Capturing theRyder Cupwasabig coastline make Wales anidealsportingand

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Ambassador ofWelsh Golf 4 5 WBA SuperMiddleweight Champion (vacated)/WBC SuperMiddleweightChampion/ Champion/IBF SuperMiddleweightChampion thousands ofWelsh supporters. soil attheMillenniumStadiuminfront of It makes suchadifference tofight onhome |

WBO SuperMiddleweight and ManchesterUnited Millennium Stadiumpitchtrulyisextraspecial. greatest arenasandtowalkoutonthe I have beenvery fortunatetoplayinfootball’s

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Former Wales Team Captain

© Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales in 2012. will beanOlympicFootball venue consecutive years. Thestadium Speedway GrandPrix for seven Special Stage’andtheFIMBritish hosted TheWales RallyGB‘Super have allperformed here.Ithasalso Peppers, U2andtheRollingStones such asMadonna,RedHotChilli Wales football matches.Artists World ChampionshipBoxing and Championships, FACupfi and 2007,SixNationsRugby to theRugbyWorld Cup1999 map.Ithasplayedsporting host and Wales fi in 1999 hashelpedtoplaceCardiff The MillenniumStadiumcompleted rmly ontheworld nals,

The Millennium Stadium 6 Newport area

Newport Velodrome 7 Newport is Wales’s newest city, resting on the fringes of the imposing Beacons and The Wye Valley. The city is calling upon the rest of the world’s sporting fraternity to compete with its growing status on the sporting stage. For sports fans the city boasts the hugely impressive Newport International Sports Village and the , and bearing in mind what’s happening in 2010, it’s fi tting that there are no less than 45 golf courses The opening of the National Velodrome in within an easy 40 minute drive of the city. Newport is perhaps the biggest single step forward ever made for cycling in Wales – an It has become a hub of growth and regeneration, indoor facility of international standard located on our with a waterfront that’s the focus of an ambitious doorstep has helped move onto a new level. redevelopment scheme. There’s a Riverfront The ability to train throughout the year is of great benefi t The University of Wales Newport is able to provide Theatre and Arts Centre in an area that has to Welsh cyclists in preparation for major championships recently been further enhanced by an iconic 450+ bed capacities on site with adapted rooms and the fact that it will once again be the offi cial training new bridge across the River Usk. available. The city has medical provision in the camp base for the Team GB cycling team ahead of the form of The Royal Gwent Hospital and the private Olympic Games is testament to how highly the It is a multicultural city and can accommodate St Joseph’s Hospital. Newport is located twelve facility is regarded within the sport. athletes from around the world ensuring the miles to the East of Cardiff with easy access to support of the local community. Within the the M4 and Cardiff, Bristol and London | Cyclist (Team Pursuit/Points race) immediate area there are over 1,600 rooms International Airports. available in Hotels from 3 to 5 Star. z Gold – Team Pursuit World Championships 2008 z Tour de fi nish 2007 z 2007 World Senior Track Championship Gold – Men’s Team Pursuit z 2007 World Cup Silver in the Men’s Madison z Bronze medal in the men’s 40km Points Race z 2006 World Championships Team Pursuit – Silver medal z 2006 World Cup Team Pursuit Gold

8 Newport International Sports Village University of Wales, Newport, (NISV) Campus

The development includes one of only two cycling The Facility comprises accommodation, administration and Image: Steve Pope Image: Steve Velodromes in the UK – a venue which has helped sports facilities. From 2009 onwards there will be cultivate the talents of Olympians , accommodation for 150 athletes, with 6 adapted rooms. Geraint Thomas and Julian Winn as well as becoming Exclusive use of catering outlets will be available. The a breeding ground for Paralympic cycling talent. This Sports Centre includes strength and conditioning facilities much acclaimed centrepiece of the NISV, is fringed and is fully accessible to Paralympians. The facility is by a new 25m Pool, a Centre and located 3 miles from . Newport Football and Athletics Stadium. Facilities include: Facilities include: ` Full Paralympic Accessibility ` 250m Siberian Pine indoor Wales National Velodrome ` Guaranteed 24hr exclusive use and control ` 8 lane 25m swimming pool of public access to training venue ` 3,500 capacity athletics stadium ` Latest 40 station fi tness suite with free weights Newport International Sports Village is home ` 4 indoor and 2 outdoor tennis courts ` Lecture rooms to one of only two cycling Velodromes in the ` Function room/dance studio UK. With its 250m indoor cycling track the Hosting experience: Velodrome is already honing the talents of the future ` Free weights room at Olympic and Paralympic level and is a constant hub ` Latest Solutions fi tness suite ` Commonwealth countries training of activity with cycling clubs and elite athletes immersed ` Drug testing room ` International team training in heavy training sessions. ` Multipurpose indoor sports arena ` Accommodating Squads of up to 150 athletes ` Full Paralympic accessibility with guaranteed ` National level multi stage cycle road racing events. Nicole Cooke | Cyclist 24hr exclusive use and control of public access z UCI Ranked World Number One to the training venues z 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games Cwmcarn Forest, Caerphilly road race champion Hosting experience: This facility forms a satellite venue to NISV and provides z 2003 & 2006 World Cup winner ` European Cycling Championships Wales with the opportunity to host all cycling disciplines z Bronze – 2006 Commonwealth Games ` European Junior International athletics from one site. The Forestry Commission in Wales have ` Regional Swimming competitions hosted a number of sporting and public events within the ` National Tennis competitions forest. The largest of which is the British Round of the ` British Olympic Cycling team prior to Beijing 2008 World Rally Championships.

9 Stadium, Cwmbran Wales is a proud sporting nation. Nowhere is that pride more evident than when it comes to Paralympic Cwmbran is home to a 132 acre Heritage Park. Within and disability sport. Successive generations of Welsh the park attractions include Wales longest dry ski slope Paralympians, coaches and administrators have contributed and large leisure facilities which border the Brecon towards the success of the Great Britain teams. Wales Beacons National Park. can boast of Paralympic icons such as Dame Tanni Grey Thompson (athletics), (swimming), Nicola Facilities include: Tustain (equestrian) and Emma Brown (powerlifting).

` 8 court sprung wooden fl oor sports hall But its not only our elite athletes that we are proud ` 4 badminton court granwood sports hall of. Wales now delivers over 320,000 community ` 2 cardiovascular and resistance fi tness suite participation opportunities for its disabled population as well as an Academy structure for our emerging ` 4 lane 25m pool talented athletes. Our commitment to and 8 lane 400m synthetic track and all fi eld events ` understanding of disability sport is unsurpassed. ` Football Pitch with fl oodlights Hosting incoming Paralympic Nations and teams ` Artifi cial Turf Pitch with Floodlights in the lead up to 2012 is an opportunity that ` 6 rink indoor bowling green Seb Coe and Jon Morgan at the 2007 Wheelchair Sport Spectacular, National Indoor Athletic Centre Disability does not want to miss! The ` Spa combined knowledge and expertise of ourselves and ` 3 meeting rooms our partners, who manage high performance sports The opportunity for Wales to play its facilities, will ensure that we can assist Paralympic ` 1 large function room part in the build-up to the Paralympic Nations to deliver events, preparation and holding ` Dance studio Games in London is particularly camps to the very highest of standards. Combined ` Multi sport areas exciting. With over 20 years of experience with our network of accessible accommodation and ` Ancillary Facilities – Full Paralympic Accessibility in managing high performance Paralympic transport providers, volunteers and experienced programmes, Disability Sport Wales has all the support teams Wales is a location that must not Hosting experience: expertise and skills to ensure that Paralympic to be overlooked. ` International Athletics events preparation and holding camps are supported ` Welsh Senior Badminton Championships in a professional and welcoming environment, Jon Morgan | Executive Director Disability Sport Wales ` Welsh Netball Training Camps refl ecting the commitment of Wales to ` European Football Matches disability sport and the warmth of a nation unlike any other in the World.

10 Cardiff area

University of Wales Institute Cardiff © Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales 11 Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is a city A few minutes away from the stadium is Cardiff of contrasts. Innovative architecture Bay, the capital’s newest development, boasting a sits alongside historic buildings; the 200 hectare freshwater lake, ideal for yachting and fi shing, and bordered by the 5* St David’s Hotel and bustle of the city centre is only a few dozens of restaurants and cafes. Dominating the strides from acres of peaceful parklands, skyline in the Bay is the Wales Millennium Centre, and the unique Welsh culture of dragons a major arts centre home to seven arts and myth blends perfectly with a organisations including the Welsh National Opera. modern, technology-driven city. Shopping is also one of Cardiff’s main attractions. Within the one square mile of Cardiff’s bustling city The pedestrianised streets and undercover malls centre are the big three attractions: the National contain popular high street and designer stores and Museum, the Millennium Stadium, and Cardiff the Victorian and Edwardian arcades that criss-cross Castle. These attractions sit alongside luxury hotels, the city centre are home to dozens of independent a network of shopping malls and arcades, and a and boutique shops where you can fi nd unique wide range of restaurants, bars and cafes. gifts, clothes and food, many of them with a Welsh fl avour. The modern Cardiff is distinctly Welsh, dragons and national fl ags are prominent and the language of The city’s inherent culture and sporting history heaven, and of Wales, is often heard around the city. manifests itself in no uncertain terms and is The country’s national sport, rugby, has also found its unmistakably stamped in its landscape and spiritual home in Cardiff, in the city’s other fortress, infrastructure – making Cardiff an undeniable the Millennium Stadium. hotspot for the world’s global sporting talent.

12 University of Wales Institute, Cardiff | Cardiff International Pool, Cardiff School of Sport Opened in 2008 the state of the art facility can be split by The National Indoor Athletics Centre is Wales’ premier two submersible booms to become three separate 25m state-of-the-art athletics venue. With sweeping indoor pools. Two of these pools have movable fl oors allowing banked tracks and outdoor 400m circuit, it draws major different depths to be set for different programmed competitions and athletes from pole to pole. It is a activities. The pool is certifi ed by FINA for both 50m multi sport environment with accessible facilities. 24hr Long Course and 25m Short Course International exclusive use and control of public access to the training Competitions, with a constant depth of 2 metres. venue are guaranteed. The facility is currently planning Included in this facility is a full Swiss timing system a 5 year investment programme to upgrade the campus with display board, anti-turbulence lanes, starting and sporting facilities to include a large Strength and blocks, touch pads and seating for 2000 spectators. Conditioning area. The expanse of the pool deck allows for pre-training Facilities include: warm up, and land based training sessions. The pool ` 4 lane 200m indoor track can also offer an international specifi cation ‘drop-in’ water polo pitch and an additional 25m warm up pool

` Multi purpose fl oor space of 5500sqm Pope Image: Steve in the adjacent leisure water area. Water treatment ` 8 lane outdoor athletics track systems include both UV and ozone to allow a low ` Wales Sports Centre for the Disabled residual chlorine level for competitions. Training in a country that is so passionate ` Astro turf /football pitches about sport is very motivating. There is a National league pitches for rugby and soccer Facilities include: ` fantastic sense of community in Wales, ` 10 lane 50m competition pool ` training centre making links between athletes and those who facilitate ` LTA indoor and outdoor tennis complex ` 25m training pool athlete development that much more intimate. It certainly ` Floodlit netball courts ` Two dance studios is a world class environment for world class athletes. ` Multi sports centre ` 110 station gym, with resistance machines, ` Specialist provision CV equipment and a loose weights area John McFall | Paralympic Sprinter ` Health suite with sauna, Jacuzzi, and steam room ` Swimming pool z 2006 IPC World Championships: ` Squash courts Hosting experience: Silver Medal, 100m T42 ` 140m indoor straight ` Speedo league z 2006 IPC World Championships: ` Purpose built indoor throws cages ` National league water polo matches (Male & Female) Bronze Medal, 200m T42 Hosting experience: ` Welsh Indoor Athletics Championships ` World Under 21 Netball Championships ` British Athletics Championships 13 Welsh Institute of Sport, Cardiff | Cardiff Athletic Stadium Sophia Gardens A fully compliant IAAF 400m track & fi eld facility, This is a multi-purpose elite sports training and competition 8 lanes, 2 x 9 lane straights, 4 sand pits, 2 options for venue with ancillary facilities with full Paralympic accessibility. , pole vault and hammer & discus with a fully Set in the city centre it is surrounded by parkland stocked state of the art equipment store. This facility providing an ideal training environment. With en-suite also includes changing facilities, fi tness suite with free accommodation for 53, including 4 accessible rooms, and weights, meeting rooms, doping control facilities, on site catering it can guarantee 24 hour exclusive use and medical provision and a full size Astroturf. control of public access to the training venue. House of Sport Facilities include: ` Main sports and events hall 36.5 x 35m This new facility which forms part of the new Athletics ` Gymnastics hall 35.6 x 14.6m stadium/Cardiff City FC and Cardiff Blues regional ` 3 Multi sports halls – rugby club, consists of a 60m x 40m third generation 35.6 x 17m, 33.2 x 14.2m and 15.2 x 12.2m indoor pitch and an adjoining 34m x 25m sports hall. This facility will house 3 classrooms, a lecture room ` Judo and martial arts dojo and sports library. ` 4 squash courts ` 2 weights rooms Cardiff Central Youth Club Having a great facility like the Welsh Institute ` 6 meeting rooms of Sport is of great value to me. It means I am Facilities include: ` Water based artifi cial turf pitch able to train in a clean and safe environment ` Grass pitch ` Full training provision for Gymnastics with a good atmosphere. Also having a sports science team ` 3 tennis courts ` Rhythmic/Artistic Gymnastics and other support staff on site makes everything easier. ` Accommodation for 53 ` Trampoline Training in Wales is great as support from the general ` Sports science laboratory public is always motivational to me producing good results. ` Sports Injuries Clinic Western Leisure Centre ` Acclimatisation chamber Michaela Breeze | Weightlifter Facilities include 6 x badminton courts (multi functional Hosting experience: sports hall), 2 x squash courts, outdoor 5-aside pitch and z 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games Gold ` 2004 GB Badminton squad Training camp fi tness suite. This facility will be completed late October in the snatch and silver in the clean and jerk and ` 2006 GB Ladies Training Camp 08. The main sports hall will include a sprung Granwood combined total ` 2007 British Disabled Powerlifting Championships fl oor a deck level 25m x 12m pool, learner pool and z 2003 Gold medal European Championships leisure waters and a new fi tness suite incorporating ` 2008 – Tri Nations International Women Wheelchair z 2006 Commonwealth Games Gold medal in the 63kg 90 pieces of equipment. This facility will be fully DDA Basketball Tournament women’s weightlifting event compliant upon re-opening in 2008. ` 2008 – British Boccia Championships 14 Football Association Wales National Cardiff Bay Rowing and Course Training Facility | Vale Hotel, Vale of Cardiff Bay is an area of water that continues to attract boat users, with two well established yacht clubs, The National Training Facility of the Football two marinas and several commercial marine-related Association of Wales and the Vale Hotel complex as businesses. Annually from Easter onwards the Harbour well as being a base for the Wales national team has Authority delivers an exciting calendar of local, national regularly hosted high profi le clubs such as Manchester and international water and land based events for visitors United, Arsenal, Liverpool and F.C. . It was and residents of Cardiff to enjoy. With a diverse mix of the pre-tour training venue for the 2005 British and internationally acclaimed visitor attractions, activities and Irish Lions rugby team. entertainment, Cardiff Bay has a truly unique atmosphere. All facilities have full Paralympic Accessibility. The facility and ancillary facilities have full Paralympic accessibility. All ancillary facilities are exclusively Rowing facilities: available. The facility can provide over 100 bed capacity on site with three adapted rooms. ` 1,500m multi lane rowing course ` Water activity centre Facilities include: ` 200 hectare freshwater lake ` Full size pitch to Premiership standards ` Half-size pitch for warm-up and skills training As part of the International Sports Village an Olympic standard canoe slalom centre will be completed in 2009. ` Unique 60 x 50m indoor training arena

If your nation is fortunate enough to qualify Hosting experience: for the London 2012 Olympic football ` World Powerboat Competitions tournament you’ll be guaranteed a fantastic ` European Powerboat Competitions experience. And if you’re located in Wales you’ll enjoy ` Championships world class training and accommodation facilities and a uniquely warm Welsh welcome. You will also have earned ` Harbour regattas the right to play at our world famous Millennium Stadium. ` Home Nations & European Student Bienvenido q el Pais de Gales. Rowing Championships

John Toshack | Wales Team Manager z Former Real Madrid team manager

15 Cardiff University | Sport and Exercise Maindy Cycle Track

Cardiff University is situated in the heart of one of Facilities include: Europe’s most vibrant cities. Cardiff is a compact city with ` Floodlit 460m outdoor cycling velodrome acres of public parks, a wide range of cultural and leisure activities. Cardiff offers a multi-cultural environment in ` 25m deck level pool which all nationalities and beliefs are represented and ` 56 station fi tness suite respected. Facilities and community groups representing ` Fully sprung dance studio all major religions can be found close to the University. ` Lecture rooms The University can provide on site accommodation of ` Full size football pitch, outdoor 5 aside pitch 100+ bed capacity. ` Outdoor BMX track Facilities include: University of Glamorgan | ` University Sports Centre, Centre for Sport, Health and Exercise ` University Fitness & Squash Centre

` University Sports Fields The University has hosted many international squads for ` Multi activity sports hall 33.5 x 33.5m training as well as hosting prestigious multi sport events Multi activity sports hall 50 x 43.5m such as the British University Games. I always really enjoy training in Wales. It ` is a great atmosphere to train in – there is ` Artifi cial pitches The University is also a training venue for the Welsh National such a positive mentality which is always ` Grass pitches Football Team, and for Football League Championship and really encouraging. The brand new Cardiff athletics ` Fitness room visiting international teams such as . The University stadium will also be a great asset. The Millennium ` Changing facilities has also been used as a training venue for the British Lions, Stadium is a world class facility – I hope the new All Blacks and Springbok rugby teams. stadium achieves the same world class standard. Hosting experience: In 2007 the University hosted the Euro Nations | Athlete ` Special Olympics 2001 Competition with 125 participants. In 2008 the 21st (accommodating over 2000 athletes) World Field Archery Championships are held in Wales and z 2007 World Championships Osaka 4x100m relay the university campus will be the sports village for over ` European Hockey Cup 2003 team Bronze 350 competitors and offi cials. (accommodating 24 teams) z 2005 Gold medal – European Cup 200m The Glamorgan Business centre is a state of the art, z 2000 European Indoor Gold medal – 200m purpose built conference centre which is 50m from the z 1998 Commonwealth Games Silver medal in the Sport Centre and accommodation. This centre has been 200m in Kuala Lumpur used very successfully as the administration HQ when the British University Games were staged at the University. 16 Swansea area

Wales National Pool 17 Swansea is Wales’ Waterfront City and A wide range of attractions and activities are is set on the fi ve mile sweep of Swansea within easy reach of the University, other Bay. A city with a proud heritage and a sporting venues and hotels. From Wales’ newest Museum – the National Waterfront Museum, the bright future; new developments in the Pope Image: Steve Dylan Thomas Centre – which celebrates the life city centre include new hotels, attractions and work of the Swansea born poet, to surfi ng at and a vibrant new waterfront area which one of the UK’s premier surfi ng beaches. extends the already popular promenade and Maritime Quarter. The city centre is The City already enjoys well established cultural and economic links with a number of European only a fi ve minutes walk from the beach and international cities. The interaction between and offers shopping and a wide range of the various communities ranges from school eating out and entertainment options. visits to musical and other cultural exchanges.

On the western edge of the Bay is the picturesque Swansea’s compact city centre makes it an ideal Victorian village of Mumbles which heralds the training camp destination – with all venues captivating coast and countryside of the Gower and hotels within easy reach of each other. The Wales National 50m Pool in Swansea has Peninsula, the fi rst in the UK to be designated as an The location in South Wales gives easy access played a massive part in the success Team GB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its succession from major rail and road routes, with Cardiff has seen in swimming over the last few years. of spectacular bays and award winning beaches are International Airport forty minutes away and The £8million lottery investment from the Sports Council perfect for watersports and the green hills beyond London Heathrow only three hours away. for Wales into the facility was a wise one. Every Paralympic are a walker’s paradise. Rhossili Bay was hailed as swimmer who uses the facility as a training base claimed ‘the British supermodel of beaches’ and as ‘one of the medals at the Paralympic Games in 2004. top 25 beaches in the world’ by the UK broadsheets. David Roberts | Paralympic Swimmer z 2004 Athens Paralympic Games: 4 Gold, 1 Silver z Paralympic Games 2000: 3 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze z Commonwealth Games Manchester 2002: 1 Bronze z World Championships Argentina 2002: 1 Gold, 1 Silver

18 Wales National Pool, Swansea hosting a wide variety of sporting events contributes hugely to the service the University can offer. Nestled in Singleton’s parkland is Wales’ National The outstanding natural environment around Swansea 50m Pool which has become the training HQ of also provides opportunities for sailing, rowing and Olympic Bronze medal winning Welshman, David windsurfi ng, not to mention cycling and running along Davies, Paralympic Gold medallist David Roberts superb coastal paths and mountain routes with closed and British ’s most promising talents. cycle routes at nearby Pembrey Country Park. The state of the art 8 lane 2m deep pool is Facilities include: competition standard. The pool can be subdivided with a submersible boom and has a moveable fl oor ` 8 lane fl oodlit athletics track allowing the depth to be varied. Along side the ` 2 fl oodlit water based astroturf pitches 50m pool is a 25m 4 lane training pool 1.25m deep. ` Indoor athletics training centre The facility also has a sports science and therapy ` Sports Centre – 2 x sports halls including suite along with usual ancillary services. 2 basketball courts / 7 badminton courts The Wales National Pool holds a range of events and ` Fitness gym – 90 + stations of CV, free and training camps for swimming and triathalon and is fi xed weights the home of and the base for GB squads ` Physiotherapy/sports massage room and The marriage of a country like Wales and sport for swimming, Paralympic swimming and triathalon. meeting rooms simply breeds a passion like no other. When ` Small hall, 3 squash courts, 6 tennis courts you’re competing in Wales or for Wales, that University of Wales Swansea | extra emotion and adrenaline it generates within you can ` Sports fi elds Department of Sport and Physical give you that extra spurt to be the fi rst to the fi nishing Recreation Hosting experience: line. It’s a great place to be a swimmer. ` A range of athletics and hockey events including is situated in an exceptional David Davies | Swimmer Hockey – European Youth, European Club and location with some of the most spectacular scenery in Senior Internationals z 2004 Athens Olympic Games: Bronze Medalist the UK. It is a true campus university, set in parkland, ` Welsh Championships Athletics, including 1500m freestyle in a city, by the sea. The Sports Village (incorporating disability events z Wales National Pool) is just a short walk from the fi ve 2005 World Championships: Bronze Medalist mile (eight km) beach of Swansea Bay and only fi ve ` Cricket – Blind League Competition 1500m freestyle minutes from the accommodation. The University has ` British University Games – c 600 competitors z 2006 Commonwealth Games: a strong tradition of producing sportsmen and women ` Hosted a range of national and regional rugby sides Gold Medalist 1500m freestyle and Bronze Medalist who have competed at the highest international including Wales, France, New Zealand, Leinster, 400m freestyle levels. As a result, its support networks including sports Saracens z 2007 Melbourne FINA World Championships: science are top quality. The experience gained from ` IRB – Rugby U16s Tournament Bronze Medalist 1500m freestyle ` England U16 Football Squad Training z Silver 1500m European Championships 19 Swansea Gymnastics Centre

Swansea Gymnastics centre is the premier centre for the sport in Wales and is fully equipped for men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics to FIG specifi cations Pope Image: Steve for competitions. Facilities include: ` Pitted training facility for vault, tumble track, fast track, H Bar, Rings, A bar, Beam dismounts and trampoline ` Full PA and sound system

Hosting experience: ` Regular Welsh Championships and UK regional competitions As a British Triathlon High Performance Centre ` Training camp for Wales and Northern the National Pool in Swansea is home to some of the best triathletes in the world. Former squads, Commonwealth Games, Manchester 2002 World Champion Leanda Cave uses it as her training base The Ospreys professional regional rugby club has an ` Permanent base for the Welsh men’s and women’s and my partner Marc Jenkins was a permanent fi xture at Academy of Sport which provides top quality outdoor and elite squads and GB National squad location camps the facility as he carried out his preparations for the Athens indoor training facilities including pitches, weight training, Olympic Games in 2004. physiotherapy, medical, assessment/analysis rooms and facilities. In addition to using the Academy of Sport, The LC As Wales boasts some of the best landscapes in the world, teams would have access to the Liberty Stadium which we are also able to take advantage of the various terrains to The LC, Swansea’s new £32m leisure complex opened in would provide an ideal arena for preparation. assist us in our training programmes. The sand dunes that March 2008. Offering a state of the art water park with scatter the South Wales coast for example provide the perfect Hosting experience: various water attractions, an 8 badminton court main environment for us to hone our running skills and taking the bike out for a hard training session is made so much easier ` The touring Australian International Rugby team 2006 activities hall to elite standards and event capabilities. when you’re riding on quiet open roads, faced with beautiful It also houses Wales’ largest Health and Fitness ` International and professional European rugby teams rolling hills and some of the fi nest mountain bike trails around. facility covering 2 fl oors and holding in excess of 170 Facilities include: resistance machines, CV equipment and loose weights Helen Tucker | Triathlete ` The Liberty Stadium 20,520 capacity all seater stadium complemented by a luxury Spa and Studios along with z 2006 British Triathlon Champion ancillary services. ` Swansea City Football Club z 2008 BG Elite Women Triathlon ` Ospreys Rugby Club World Champion

20 North Wales area

21 North Wales offers superb scenery The region’s collection of castles includes world Conveniently situated to these major transport dotted with historic sites and craft shops, class monuments like Caernarfon, Conwy and systems is Wrexham, North Wales’ largest town. country parks and visitor attractions Beaumaris together with romantic ruins locked It’s a diverse community. with all the amenities you away in the mountains. would expect in a successful 21st century town and – all of which present a big choice of is close to major conurbations in the North West North Wales is easily accessible by rail, road and things to see and do. Scenically, the of England. It is well used to hosting international air. High speed trains link London Euston with the region is an ever-changing landscape visitors, in particular sportsmen and women, offering North Wales coast. The A55 expressway connects of moor and mountain, sandy coastline an excellent balance of quality facilities, accessibility Snowdonia and the North Wales coast with the and wooded vale. Inland, this beauty and a relaxed environment. UK motorway network. 270 global destinations reaches a high point within the rocky are accessible to and from the North West with Snowdonia National Park and grassy 2 International airports at Manchester and Liverpool Clwydian Range, an offi cial ‘Area of with 8 fl ights a day to London City airport. Outstanding Natural Beauty’.

22 North East Wales Institute / The North Wales Regional Tennis Centre Wrexham AFC

Wrexham is home to an array of sporting facilities – none of Excellence and frequently hosts international Away from the astro turf and on to natural grass, more so than the sports centre situated at the North East tournaments. Wrexham AFC’s training ground has often been cited as Wales Institute of Higher Education. The all new hockey the best outside of the prestigious Premiership. Situated stadium and the fl oodlit pitch provides excellent access Facilities include: just a few miles away from the bustling Collier’s Park, to the highest quality of surface. Flanked by a state-of-the ` 999sqm hall which has a maple wood, the venue has played host to the England national team art sports hall, the sport centre is a hub of sporting activity in the build up to various international fi xtures. The ` Sprung fl oor with viewing gallery from day break to nightfall. stadium with its associated training facilities at Gresford ` 10sqm dance studio Colliers Park, 7km away can provide for Football and In terms of medical support, all required facilities are ` 20 station fi tness suite Ball. There are four grass pitches and 3G artifi cial pitch available at Wrexham Maelor Hospital located 0.2km from provision, changing rooms, catering facilities and fi tness the central venue. The on-site accommodation comprises ` Sand dressed artifi cial pitch and physiotherapy provision. Wrexham F.C.’s ground, the 286 beds with 211 en-suite single bedrooms, all centrally- ` International standard FIH accredited Water-based Racecourse and associated training facility have hosted heated. Six rooms are wheelchair adapted and another artifi cial pitch games and training in International Football, 66 are ground fl oor rooms. Catering facilities are available Hosting experience: and . at NEWI, which also has 24 hour security. Within 1km of NEWI is a 4 star hotel with 85 rooms, of which three have ` European Cup hockey (8 teams for 4 days) Athletics is supported at the Wrexham Queensway wheelchair access. ` Commonwealth Veteran Championships Stadium located 3km away and this 400m athletics track (60 competitors over 3 days) with associated fi eld events is attached to a gymnastics The North Wales Regional Tennis Centre has six indoor centre. Changing facilities, grass pitches, fi tness gym, acrylic hard courts and ten outdoor acrylic hard courts. ` Welsh National Badminton Championships, both squash courts and parking are also available. The Stadium It is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Also in the Junior and Senior, with over 250 competitors holds a full international certifi cate. Centre are a physiotherapy & sports injuries clinic, a ` The facility is also home to an EBBA Division 2 40-station fi tness studio, bar & catering facilities, showers Basketball team Wrexham Waterworld’s modern 25metre pool is also and changing rooms. The Centre is an LTA Centre available for use as an ancillary service.

23 Holyhead Weightlifting Club Deeside College

Holyhead Weightlifting Club is the premier club in Wales. This facility offers an outdoor stadium, with full There is no sporting event in the world that The Club has 5 competition platforms and a variety of athletics facilities, it has a full 400 metre track, pole can’t fi nd a spiritual home here in Wales. cardio vascular equipment which at present could host a vault, , triple jump and high jump facility, a Wales has sport at its heart and it harnesses small contingent of weightlifters in the lead up to 2012. throwing cage and shot circles. The stadium also that power to touch people young and old and brings The club has plans to extend over the next two years to has a full size football pitch with fl oodlighting. them together to support one goal. develop facilities which will boast twelve competition The Indoor Athletics Centre which has a 60 metre Our country’s sporting stature and vibrant culture helps platforms which will allow a major nation the opportunity straight for sprints and hurdles, long and triple us to attract a host of top fl ight fi xtures and events. Of to train. These plans will make the facility a world class jump facility, throwing cage for all throwing events, course we are keen to build on this success for the future. training venue. pole vault and high jump. A multi sports hall, which The Olympic and Paralympic Games are among the The club has hosted several International and National is prepared for basketball, netball, volleyball, and greatest sporting events staged and we see the London Championships. The Club supported the Baton Relay Tour badminton, state of the art fi tness suite, with over 2012 platform as an incredible opportunity for our nation when it arrived on prior to the 2002 Manchester 100 pieces of equipment, a dance studio, spin studio to showcase what we have to offer the rest of the world Commonwealth Games. The club coach is also the National and express studio. The facility also has access to on a silver – or should that be golden – platter! Coach, a former Commonwealth Gold medallist and local rugby grounds and water based activities, currently World Masters Champion. (River Dee and Plas Menai) within easy reach. Lynn ‘The Leap’ Davies | President UK Athletics z 1964 Olympic Games: Long Jump Gold Medallist z Former British Team Manager z Former Technical Director of Canadian Athletics

24 Wales Outdoors

2125 Publication Title Decorated with imposing mountains, lakes and rivers, picture-perfect parks and pristine beaches, the great Welsh outdoors is an exhilarating test of sporting skills.

Our natural environment accommodates a wide range of sporting and leisure pursuits, including , climbing, water sports and fi shing, walking and adventure activities.

The mountains of Snowdonia are a playground I think there are three things that stand out for outdoor enthusiasts, and the National White for me about the benefi ts of training in Wales: Water Centre provides modern facilities with facilities, organisation and venues for 2012 world-class training and support amenities. practice.

Located on the banks of Afon Tryweryn’s 8km In preparation for the 2012 Games, Wales can offer of rampant water, the Centre in Bala boasts unrivalled options for simulating the venue at Weymouth. year-round access to crisp white water which There are many Welsh clubs with southerly facing aspects draws enthusiasts from far and wide. The that can offer very similar conditions to the Olympic Tryweryn is a dam released river so water venue. The prime example of this would be Abersoch or Pwllhelli and would include many other sites from Cardiff often fl ows when other British rivers are dry, to West Wales. Wales is very close and will therefore have thus producing a unique year-round white the same weather. water venue. As Wales is a relatively small country you can avoid getting North West Wales’s lakes and coastline are also caught up in a lot of red tape and layers of bureaucracy. proving to be a major draw card for the world’s Wales has some wonderful club venues around the coast. sailing fraternity and Pwllheli National Sailing In recent years many have been able to upgrade their Centre is one of the UK’s premier locations facilities with the help of lottery funding grants (which for the sport. of course means they are disabled friendly as well).

Wales is home to a wide range of mountain bike Ian Barker | National Racing Coach centres and offers thousands of miles of superb Royal Yachting Association riding. z 2000 Sydney Olympic Games: Silver Medallist 26 27 Pwllheli National Sailing Events Centre The facility does not provide accommodation, but as works in partnership with the Welsh an important holiday destination there is a full range of accommodation available locally. It is anticipated that Yachting Association and the National most teams will wish to self-cater. Hafan y Mor Holiday Watersports Centre, Plas Menai. Park is situated 6 km to the east of Pwllheli and provides a range of accommodation and catering packages Pwllheli Sailing Club and Events Centre forms part of the for teams. Plas Menai can also provide fully catered Hafan Pwllheli Marina complex and is associated with accommodation within its specialist facilities. the Welsh National Watersports Centre, Plas Menai, who operate elite training from dedicated accommodation. Hosting experience: Plas Menai forms part of the UK network of National © Thom Touw Pwllheli is designated as an international events centre Institutes of Sport. and has a track record of hosting World, European and I started sailing at the age of 8 at Llanishen The National Sailing Events Centre works closely with and National championships. Sailing Centre in Cardiff. Within a year I is supported by the Royal Yachting Association (the UK had been selected for the Welsh Tremadog Bay is acknowledged as a world-class Governing Body), the Welsh Yachting Association (the Squad and most of my training was based competitive and elite training venue. It is considered to regional affi liated body), the Sports Council for Wales around Pwlhelli. I have been very lucky, as my sailing has be one of the few venues in the UK capable of hosting and Government in developing the facility for world progressed, to have been able to use the facilities both at major dinghy, sports boat and yacht racing events. class competition and elite training. Pwlhelli and Weymouth to help improve my sailing. It was The sailing water is excellent with tidal movements Pwllheli is identifi ed as the only site in Wales in the UK also the fi rst place I won a National championships so it has having little impact on racing and the race area open Sport/RYA World Class Events Strategy (2006-2012) for fond memories for me. I now am a member of the Olympic to the prevailing winds. hosting major competitive dinghy sailing championships. Development Squad and sail an International 470 which is In the period 2007-2012 the following events the chosen double handed Ladies boat for the 2012 London Pwllheli is also an important training venue. Members will be hosted: Games. As a result a lot of my training now happens in of the GBR Olympic squad already train on the water in Weymouth. The conditions out in the Bay are very similar to Tremadog Bay. The facilities are in regular use by the 2007 ` World Championships International Cadet those I encountered at Pwlhelli. RYA’s GBR Youth and Junior squads and associated Class ` National Championships Merlin Rocket Association squads. Hannah Mills | Sailing 2008 ` UK/RYA National Youth Championships Pwllheli is located on the Llyn peninsula in north-west Wales. z 2008 Winners RYA Spring Series It is connected by A class roads to the north and east. It is 48 ` National and Open Championships z 2007 Junior Ladies 470 European Champions km from the A55 (Euroroute 22). The nearest international International Optimist z 2006 International 420 Open Ladies World Champions airports are at Manchester (189 km) and Liverpool (176 km). ` National and Open Championships Pwllheli is situated on the Cambrian Coast railway with its z 2005 International 420 National Ladies Champions International 420 western terminus 1 km from the facility. The North Coast z 2003 Girls Optimist World Champion mainline is accessed at Bangor 48 km away. 2009 ` World Championships International Mirror z 2002 UK Young Sailor of the Year 2002 2012 ` UK/RYA National Youth Championships

28 s © Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wale

29 University of Wales, Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth offers an ideal venue for mountain biking training. Facilities are excellent with eight internationally- recognised purpose built centres (four of which are within close proximity) offering sign-posted routes on natural and designated trails for year-round training in all-weather conditions. The area also has quiet tracks, hilly terrain and fantastic scenery (coastal and mountain) for road training. © Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales © Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales Aberystwyth University has extensive experience in hosting The National Mountain Centre | sporting competitions, including the Microsoft Mountain Supported by Welsh Cycling Forestry Commission Wales Biking Challenge. Year-round accommodation, catering facilities and a hospital are available. The Department of The National Mountain Centre at Plas Y Brenin offers Wales has a constantly expanding network of Sport and Exercise Science has state-of-the-art assessment training opportunities that give you the chance to dedicated mountain bike centres and bike-friendly facilities and staff who are highly experienced in the accommodation making it a world class riding make the most of your skills and ambitions. provision of scientifi c support to mountain bikers. destination for training and recreation. The purpose Plas Y Brenin is managed by the Mountain Training built Welsh Trails provide exhilarating, challenging Trust and hosts national and international teams in and supremely enjoyable riding. Thanks to their world various sporting disciplines such as the Mountain leading design and construction you’ll get the same Triathalon and the GB Freestyle kayak squad. The area experience whatever the weather. around the centre has been home to the Half Iron Man, Britain’s Strongest Man, One Ton Cup, Microsoft One of the outstanding mountain biking Challenge and the Snowdonia Marathon. centres is:- This residential outdoor activities centre boasts climbing ` Cwmcarn Forest (see Newport area), Caerphilly walls, canoe rolling pool and outdoor venues suitable for could form a satellite venue to the Wales National cycling – road and mountain biking. ABERYSTWYTH Velodrome in Newport, providing Wales with an There are advanced plans to construct a 1km closed opportunity to host all the cycling disciplines from road circuit within Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay which also one site. Cwmcarn has good transport links and a has an excellent existing sports centre on site. This facility number of accommodation providers. will be traffi c free and coach friendly with smooth bends and moderate gradients.

Mountain Bike Centres

30 © Neil Cowan

31 Canolfan Tryweryn | The National and Equestrian Wales is a small nation but one with a Whitewater Centre Centre | , great appetite for sport. Such interest, along with the legendary friendliness of The National Whitewater Centre at Canolfan Tryweryn is The racetrack at the £20m Ffos Las Racecourse in West the Welsh, will ensure a very warm welcome to all owned and operated by the Welsh Canoeing Association Wales is taking shape. New grass now covers 85% of the sporting visitors. course. Plans for the course facilities have already been and provides the UK’s premier white water facility. Based The country has a range of top class sporting venues on the Afon Tryweryn – the centre incorporates two drawn, and building activity will be stepped up during the but perhaps more importantly, has many experienced canoe slalom courses through class 3+/4 white water summer months of 2008. The course is due to stage its individuals who will understand the organisational rapids, the river being dam released. The extensive fi rst meetings in June 2009. and sporting needs of visiting teams and individuals. centre provides full changing, classroom, café and Alongside the racecourse, as part of the phased project is Our passion for sport, together with our experience, fi rst aid facilities. the Equestrian Centre, which will include a major indoor will ensure that knowledgeable liaison offi cers, The centre is regularly used to host slalom, wild water Arena for dressage and show-jumping, the 600 acre site sport specifi c where needed, can be made available racing and freestyle events including GB selection races. will also feature an and cross country course. to sporting visitors. It is also possible to provide The centre hosted the World Slalom and Wildwater sporting “partners” or “practice opposition” as part of Racing Championships in 1981 the World Wildwater a competitive programme leading up to the Games Racing Championships in 1995 and the Junior Wildwater themselves. Racing World Championships in 2002. All in all, a pre-Games stay in Wales will provide The centre is located 5km from the town of Bala which is the perfect setting to prepare for participation in a experienced in hosting international canoe competitions. successful and enjoyable London 2012 Games.” There is a wide variety of accommodation providers in the local area from B&B to 5* hotels. | Wales Team Manager Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games z : 110m Hurdles Champion 32 Fact File 33 © Crown copyright (2008) VisitWales a range of other water sports too. a rangeofother watersports pony trekking, cycling,fi world classgolf,walking, mountainbiking, name it,you can‘go doit’here.There’s scene.Youa hugeandhealthyactivities scenicdiversityismirroredin country’s Wales capital. The istheUK’s activity Alternative activities shing, sailing and

© Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales Magazine. beaches intheworld in2007byTravel has beennamedasoneofthetwelvebest Oxwich Bay ontheGowerPeninsulaparticular ofBritain.In beaches thananyotherpart bymoreaward-winning rocky butpunctuated and the seaonthreesides,ourcoastisrugged well asvillagesandtowns.Surroundedby as communities withlotsofopencountry countries Wales’ threeparksareliving Coast. Unlikenationalparksinsomeother the BreconBeaconsandPembrokeshire Wales hasthreeNationalParks, Snowdonia, Three NationalParks COAST NATIONAL PARK NATIONAL PARK SNOWDONIA

WALES BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK 34 © Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales Visit (2008) copyright Crown ©

Fact File either of the two so much as glide over don’t drive into Wales You Severn Bridges, a mere hour and half along the M4 from London Heathrow just 45 minutes from Manchester International Airport.……. and North Wales 35 Climate

Our weather tends to be mild and variable. Visitors to Wales are often surprised by the long summer days, LIVERPOOL which are a consequence of our northerly latitude MANCHESTER HOLYHEAD – it often doesn’t get dark until after 10pm in BANGOR midsummer. The southwest coastal strip of Wales gets around 1,700 hours of sunshine each year. July and WREXHAM August are normally the warmest months in Wales and PWLLHELI BALA the highest temperatures occur further away from the cooling breezes of the Atlantic. The highest temperature ever recorded in Wales is 35.2 degrees C in North Wales BIRMINGHAM ABERYSTWYTH on 2nd August 1990.

WALES Average daily temperature (celsius) FISHGUARD ST DAVID’S

max PEMBROKE CWMCARN Cardiff min SWANSEA PONTYPRIDD NEWPORT LONDON 40 CARDIFF BRISTOL 30

20 10

0 JanFeb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Geography London 40 Wales lies to the west of England and is 30 around 170 miles (256km) long and 60 miles 20 (96km) wide. The land area is just over 8000 10 square miles, about the size of Massachusetts 0 in the USA, or half the size of Switzerland. JanFeb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 36 Fact File Centre Millennium Wales 37 Entertainment Cultural Olympiad © Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales

Throughout the year Wales is buzzing with I started my role as Creative Programmer events and festivals – everything from jazz for Wales at the beginning of February 2008. I came to the job from the Llangollen at Brecon to books at Hay-on-Wye, country International where I was Chief fairs at Builth Wells to cultural gatherings like Executive for six years. Previously I have worked for the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod the BBC as Senior Music Producer making programmes and National Eisteddfod. Other big events for Radio 3, Radio Cymru and Radio Wales. Amongst are staged here too with the iconic Wales my responsibilities were outside broadcast events and reporting on contemporary music festivals in Europe, Millennium Centre on Cardiff Bay quickly South America and the United States. I later spent twelve establishing a reputation as a dynamic arts months as Visiting Professor in Oklahoma City which and entertainments complex. included directing the Oklahoma Film Institute and conducting three choirs.

Wales has cultural connections with many countries around the world and I look forward to extending these and making new friends with the countries who choose to come and train in Wales.

Gwyn L Williams | 2012 Creative Programmer for Wales © Crown copyright (2008) Visit Wales

38 It is my job to make sure that Team Wales comes together effectively to provide visiting teams with a world class environment to fi ne tune preparations for London 2012. I have worked with the British Olympic team prior to Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and now Beijing 2008 and I led the planning for Wales’ Commonwealth Games team in Melbourne 2006

In the light of this experience I have no doubt that Wales can provide the highest quality training facilities, transport, accommodation, people and services to provide your athletes and support staff with what you and they need. After working in elite sport in Wales for 17 years I have a comprehensive network of contacts combined with direct access to the various key individuals and agencies who will be involved in supporting visiting teams.

Local knowledge is vital. I greatly look forward to working with you and please do contact me for further information at [email protected] Team Wales David Evans | Head of Wales Pre Games Training 39 Health Security

Nicki Philips | Head Physiotherapist at Team GB Barbara Wilding CBE QPM CCMI Sebastian Coe KBE, Chairman of London Chief Constable, South Wales Police Organising Committee for the 2012 Games Having acted as Head Physiotherapist at Team GB (LOCOG) with Arthur Emyr, Director Wales preparation camps, I understand the importance Wales has built an enviable reputation as a for the 2012 Games. of high quality local back up support services. safe area in which to live, work or visit and Every team will naturally hope that their preparation for an we in the Welsh police forces take great Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will go smoothly pride in that fact. Here crime levels are low and continue to fall and that has not happened by chance. It refl ects I hope this brochure gives you a but in the unfortunate situation where any team member snapshot, for that is what it is, of sustains a serious injury or illness, accessible expert medical the focus being placed on safety by the four Welsh police support provided locally could make all the difference. forces, the Welsh Assembly Government and our many what we have to offer. It should community safety partners which has made our success a give you a sense at least of the people and In Wales there is an excellent network of experts in a wide truly ‘Team Wales’ achievement. the place. I hope you’ll come back to talk to variety of medical fi elds able to provide diagnostic, surgical and other medical advice or treatment. We recognise the We also take pride in the considerable experience we us to fi nd out more. Better still come to see importance for any team coming to Wales to be able to have in policing large scale international sporting events. us. So whatever your sporting aspirations continue their preparations with the confi dence to know that We regularly host high profi le teams and spectators through Beijing 2008 and in the run up there are individuals and services who understand the needs from across the globe and as well as working to ensure to the London 2012 Games and beyond the security of our visitors, we also aim to facilitate the of High Performance athletes, as well as the unique issues I want you to know that Team Wales is that accompany preparation for competition at this level. unique, friendly atmosphere that sporting events held in Wales generate. ready to help you realise them. Any teams considering using the facilities in Wales as part In short, the police services in Wales are fully committed to of their preparations can be assured that service provision Arthur Emyr | Director Wales for the 2012 Games keeping all sporting visitors and team participants safe and can be tailored to their needs and resources, by people who Welsh Assembly Government understand what is important to athletes, coaches and secure so that a successful Olympic Games and Paralympic support staff. Games for visiting teams and individuals is assured. 40 If you require this brochure as a PDF or in another language, please contact us for availability. For further information regarding any of the facilities featured in this brochure: email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)2920 475 324 Fax: +44 (0)2920 475 322

This publication is also available in Braille, Moon, large format print and/or audio.

G/MH/2771/07-08 ISBN 978 0 7504 4611 2 July © Crown copyright 2008