SAIL 2012 - Swansea University

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Swansea University’s Alumni Magazine 2012
The Alumni Office
Singleton Abbey
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea SA2 8PP
www.swansea.ac.uk/alumni
www.swansea.ac.uk/alumni

WELCOME
As this edition of Sail makes clear, it’s an
exciting time for sport at Swansea University.
The Welsh Varsity goes from strength to
strength with 16,000 spectators and an
atmosphere that would do justice to a full
international. And to take things to the next
level we are looking forward to an alumnus,
Paul Thorburn, taking over shortly as Chair
of the Welsh Varsity Group. Now all we have
to do for future years is to get the result right.
And as for our student sportsmen and
women: both as individuals and as teams
they have been putting in some outstanding
performances. Matt Whorwood and Gemma
Almond have been selected for Paralympic
swimming; Georgia Davies is in the Olympic
Swim Squad. In Emma Wynter we have a
world champion in the international class
of surf kayaking and Dewi Griffiths has been
selected to represent GB Universities in the
World Championships and in the BUPA
London 10k he came in 9th, 51 seconds
behind Mo Farah.
In terms of enhancing our sports facilities
we will soon have a £1.5 million water sports
centre across the road jointly run by the
University and Bay Leisure. This together
with the Welsh National Pool and the water
sports opportunities on the Gower mean that
Swansea has one of the best water sport
offerings of any British university.
contents
02 Research News
04 From RAG to Olympic Glory
06 Swansea at the Games
08 Alumni Profiles
10 Study Abroad
11 5 munud gyda… Nia Parry
12 Reunion News
13 Serious about Sport
Swansea University
Alumni Association
And as to other sports we are hoping
that we will shortly be able to make an
announcement of a major investment in
Fairwood; one that will make it the finest
training and playing facility for football
anywhere in Wales.
But to sustain this momentum in a time of
scarce resources we need to build strong
strategic relationships with key external
partners in the region. In relation to rugby,
we are looking at ways of working ever
more closely with the Scarlets and the
Ospreys; making available our research
and other expertise and drawing down on
what they can provide in terms of coaching
and other support.
We are also working closely with the
Swansea Harriers, with whom we have
recently signed a Memorandum of
Understanding. Our athletics facilities
at the Sports Village are excellent and
we will work with the Harriers to build our
performance in this area. As a Club with a
history of illustrious athletes and a women’s
team in the British first division, we have
much to learn from them.
With Swansea City Football Club too we
are strengthening our relationship; not least
through our involvement with Swans 100
– the Swansea City FC Centenary Project.
08
Swansea University
Alumni Network
To have a premiership football club on
our doorstep is both a major draw for
prospective students and also an inspiration
to us, as a sporting university, to raise our
own game.
Finally with so much going on, and with this
an Olympic year, we felt that now was the
right time to relaunch the Swansea University
sports’ brand; raising the profile of sport
within and beyond the university. The logo
of the soaring swan says much about what
we have achieved over the last few years but,
more importantly, says something about our
aspirations for the future.
Professor Noel Thompson
Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Research) with responsibility
for sport at Swansea
02
10
11 13
04
@Swansea_Alumni
Colin Jackson is the torch bearer as the procession passes by Swansea University
SWANSEA AND
THE GAMES
The Mexico and New Zealand Paralympic teams
will train at Swansea University ahead of the 2012
Paralympic Games in London. Professor O. Sergio
Durand Alcántara, Secretary General of the Mexican
Paralympic Committee, said: “It will be a great privilege to have
our last training camp in Swansea University. I am sure that our
pre Games training camp will be a great success and impact
positively on the medals that our National Delegation will
obtain in the Paralympic Games, but also for the opportunity
to interact with the people of Wales.” PNZ’s Chief Executive
Fiona Pickering said that their high performance team had been
“hugely impressed with the facilities in Swansea and the team
of people in Wales.”
Head of Swansea University’s Sport and Recreation, Gwyneth
Diment said: “The decision of these international teams to
undertake their pre Games training at the University is
testament to the growing reputation Swansea has as a
national centre for sporting excellence”.
A University spokesperson said “We are delighted that the
Mexican Paralympic Team has chosen Swansea University
as its training camp before going to London for the Games.
The decision reflects the high standard of the facilities and the
dedicated staff who work hard to maintain the resources which
are available at the University. We hope that the team will
also take time to see the beauty of the area and exchange
cultural as well as sporting experiences.”
DID YOU KNOW?
... over 30 alumni have represented their sport at
national level? Sports include Swimming, Tae Kwon
Do, Badminton, Windsurfing, Sailing, Hockey, Karate,
Lacrosse and many more!
Current students
representing Great
Britain at this year’s
Olympic and
Paralympic Games:
• History student Gemma Almond
will be competing at her first
Paralympic Games. She has
qualified for the 200m
individual medley setting
a new British record and
smashing records for
the 100m butterfly.
• Dave Smith, Aerospace
Engineering student will be
competing at the Paralympics
in the Team Boccia event.
Dave won Gold at Beijing
for Team Boccia and was
formerly ranked number one in
the world for individual Boccia.
• Law student Georgia Davies has
qualified for the Olympics in the
100m backstroke.
• BEng Mechanical Engineering
student Matthew Whorwood
has qualified for the Paralympic
swimming team and is currently
training with them.
Liz Johnson
The Olympic
Torch Relay
came to Swansea on
26th and 27th May
The Torch passed in front of the University
and through a number of familiar areas
including the Kingsway, St Helen’s Road,
Sketty Lane, Bracelet Bay and
the Promenade in Mumbles.
Alumni who have
represented Great Britain
at Olympic and Paralympic
Games include:
• James Roberts (Sports
Science, 2010) came fifth in
adaptive rowing in the Beijing
Games. He has qualified for
the London Games with the
Sitting Volleyball team. Read
more about James on page 9.
• Daniel Caines (Law, 2000)
competed at two Olympic
Games – Sydney and Athens.
At the Sydney Olympics
Daniel achieved fourth in
the 4x400m relay. Other
achievements include World,
Commonwealth, European
and Europe Cup Champion at
the 400m and 4x400m relay.
• Liz Johnson (Business
Management, 2007) has
won two Paralympic medals
– Silver in Greece and Gold
in Beijing. Liz is hoping to
win her third Paralympic
medal at this year’s Games.
Sail – 01

RESEARCH NEWS
SWANSEA RESEARCHER AIMS TO
IMPROVE SWIMMING PERFORMANCE
Securing a place in your country’s Olympic
team is extremely competitive. As with any sport,
athletes and their coaches are looking at all
aspects of their training for ways to improve
performance. Elite swimmers spend hours in
the pool, but it is not just in the water where
performance can be improved and maintained.
A Swansea University MPhil student is
investigating areas where swimmers can
optimise their performance and gain an
edge over their rivals.
Natalie Williams is currently carrying out
research on the influence of passive heat
maintenance on swimming performance in
international swimmers under her tutor,
Liam Kilduff.
Essentially, Natalie is looking into the effect of
having to wait in a marshalled area before a
race can have on performance – and how
elite swimmers can overcome this.
Research has found that elevated body
temperature improves performance. However,
following active warm-up, elite swimmers can
wait up to twenty minutes in a marshalling
room prior to race so any physiological gains
from their warm-up may be lost.
An initial study carried out at Swansea
University made a comparison between a
20-minute recovery period and a 45-minute
The pool at the Olympic Aquatics Centre. Photo courtesy of Natalie Williams
recovery period, monitoring any decrease in
temperature. This study found that a 20-minute
recovery period was better than 45-minutes
but there was still a decrease in temperature
following this period. It was suggested that a
method be implemented which stopped the
decrease in temperature.
Liam Kilduff had carried out work on Winter
Olympic sports and suggested Natalie
investigated devices and techniques which
could be transferred to swimming. For
example, blizzard survival jackets have
been worn in the marshalling room to ensure,
following their warm-up, swimmers maintain
their temperature and are physically prepared
for a race.
Natalie will complete her thesis this summer
and hopes to have her results published to an
international audience. At Olympic level, even
0.1 of a second improvement on performance
through maintained temperature can gain an
edge over competitors, and Natalie hopes
her results can support our British athletes
in the future.
Alongside her studies, Natalie took up an
internship with Sport Wales as a volunteer
physiologist. Her role involves providing
applied support to national and international
swimmers including hydration analysis and
monitoring blood lactates. Natalie also takes
an active part in supporting, maintaining and
Natalie Williams
monitoring the physiological aspect of a
swimmer’s training needs.
Natalie attended the swimming trials in March
at the Olympic Aquatic Centre alongside
Welsh funded swimmers. Swansea team-mates
Georgia Davies and Jemma Lowe both took
part in the research conducted by Natalie
and they both qualified for London 2012.
And to continue the London 2012 link,
Natalie was one of 10,000 people who
attended an orientation event at Wembley
Arena in February. Up to 70,000 volunteers
or ‘Game Makers’ will help to make the
Games happen. Natalie says, “I am delighted
to be volunteering at the Aquatic Centre as
a lifeguard, supporting the athletes.”
The original Swansea Town team 1912-1913
SWANS100 – SWANSEA CITY F.C.
CENTENARY PROJECT
The University has been the lucky recipient of
a grant of nearly £50,000 from the Heritage
Lottery Fund to create an on-line archive of
fans’ experiences, stories and memorabilia to
celebrate 100 years of professional football in
Swansea. The luck is with those staff members
in the History Department who are committed
Swans’ supporters! And of course with the
mass of Swansea City fans out there in the
wider community.
So far, the project has received masses of
memorabilia, from programmes to mugs,
badges, flags, scarves, tickets and other
material. Old photographs and documents
complement these, along with stories written
by the fans: all are in process of being
recorded to create a “virtual museum”,
which it is hoped will be available on-line
for the next 100 years!
Add to this interviews with a mixture of fans
and former players, and the archive is
shaping up to be one of the best of its kind
available on the net. Startling discoveries
include the first Swansea club song written
in 1913; the Swans’ fan who’s 20-metre high
picture adorned the side of Wembley stadium
in 2011; and everything else in between!
The football club is an integral part of the
City’s identity and history, and this above
all is being documented and recorded.
Follow the project’s progress on
www.swans100.org.uk
DATE FOR
YOUR DIARY
Interdisciplinary Research Week
is a campus-wide celebration of
the University’s research activity.
Next year’s Research week
takes place from 25th February
to 1st March 2013.
IMPACT OF SWANSEA
UNIVERSITY ON
LONDON 2012
When London hosts the Olympics this year there
will be intense public interest in British athletes taking
part, and equally intense pressure on them and their
support team to win medals. Among the risks that
elite sports participation brings is a susceptibility
to eating disorders, which arise more frequently in
elite athletes than the general population. In activities
like gymnastics, with its emphasis on slimness and
low bodyweight, vulnerability to these conditions
is amplified.
Professor Michael McNamee and Dr Jacinta Tan
lead a team of researchers from Swansea
University in partnership with British Gymnastics
to explore the welfare of elite gymnasts in relation
to the presence of eating disorders in certain
disciplines of elite gymnastics. They specifically
investigated gymnasts’ perceptions of their
freedom to choose and balance the competing
aspects of their lifestyle.
The intention of the research was to identify
issues relevant to eating disorders with a view
to prevention and improvement of elite sports
practice in the longer term, both within the UK
and internationally. Ultimately the research is
intended to facilitate the understanding and
development of policies to promote the mental
health of elite athletes, particularly with respect
to eating disorders. Research findings will be
published in a range of accessible formats and
presented to a range of audiences, to maximise the
impact of the study on practices within elite sport.
SKELETONS FROM THE DEEP
A research project on remains from Henry VIII’s
sunken flagship, the Mary Rose, is revealing
fascinating detail about the lives of those lost
on board, thanks to 21st century technology.
The warship, which sunk in 1545, was raised
from the Solent in 1982, and 92 fairly
complete skeletons were amongst the
remains that were recovered.
Nick Owen, Sport and Exercise Biomechanist
from the College of Engineering at Swansea
University, which has been working with the
Mary Rose Trust on the project, said: “This
sample of human remains offers a unique
opportunity to study activity-related change in
human skeletons. It is documented that there
was a company of archers aboard when the
ship sank, at a time when many archers came
from Wales and the South West of England.”
Some bows required a lifetime of training
and immense strength as the archers had
to pull weights up to 200lbs (about 90kg).
Many of the skeletons show evidence of
repetitive stress injuries of the shoulder and
lower spine. This could be due to shooting
heavy longbows regularly.
Mr Owen and his team are basing their
research on the biomechanical analysis of
the skeletons to examine how a lifetime of
using longbows can affect the musculoskeletal
system. Their work has already featured
on the BBC.
Part of the process of analysing the skeletons
involves creating 3-D virtual images so that
measurements can be taken without causing
any damage. The results of this research are
expected this summer.
A skull recovered from Henry VIII’s warship,
the Mary Rose. Photo credit: Swansea University
and the Mary Rose Trust
Sail – 02
Sail – 03

From RAG to
We caught up with Claudine ahead of the
Torch Relay which visited Swansea on the
26th and 27th of May…
Can you tell us how you started working for
London 2012 and what your current role entails?
Claudine Ratnayake
Olympic
Glory
About eight and a half years ago I decided I
wanted to work on the Games – we hadn’t even
won the bid then! At the time I was a consultant
at Accenture and felt a career change was
needed. I reflected on my skills, interests and
what would make me happy and decided upon
events and projects. London 2012 wasn’t
recruiting at the time but I found an events job
working for the Mayor of London. My first
project was working on the London leg of the
Athens Olympic Torch Relay. I was hooked!
As a proud Londoner I wanted to work on
the biggest peace time event we would ever
see. I needed more experience so in 2006
I volunteered for the Winter Olympics in Torino
where I learned an incredible amount about the
Games, the organisation and the amazing
effect the Games can have on a city and the
country. Then I applied for a job at London
2012 where there were less than 100 members
of staff at the time. I was responsible for some
of the early planning of Transport as well as the
Arrivals and Departures programme which
included the Olympic Flame when it came to
London as part of the Beijing Olympic Torch
Relay in 2008.
What are the most rewarding parts of your job?
The relay is all about the Torchbearers. We
have chosen 8,000 very special people to
carry the flame around the country, to represent
their communities and to carry the message of
peace, unity and friendship that the Olympic
Torch Relay embodies. Each one has achieved
their personal best in one way or another and
their stories are quite moving and humbling.
How has Swansea University and your course
helped you with your chosen career path?
My course was hugely relevant in getting me
to where I am now. I was able to choose
from a wide selection of courses in my final
year ranging from innovation to logistics, IT
to project management. There was a lot of
team working and presentations involved
with many projects to deliver.
Sail – 04
Claudine Ratnayake
graduated in American
Management Science in
1997. She currently works
for London 2012, and has
been responsible for
planning the Torch Relay
route for the Olympic and
Paralympic Games.
Olympic Torch image courtesy of London 2012
I joined London 2012 when it was effectively a
start up organisation and after 4 years I was
ready to transition to a different role at a time
when the business was rapidly growing and
moving towards its operational phase. I’m
currently an Advance Manager, responsible for
planning the route, the stops and the logistics
for each day as well as working with the Local
Authorities to stage the Evening Celebration
event. It’s a 70 day relay and I’m responsible
for 17 days in the South West, West Midlands
and Wales. When it comes to relay time, my
job is to always be between 5 minutes to
2 hours ahead of the convoy making sure
that all the plans are in place and if something
has gone wrong – fix it!
What are the most challenging parts of
your job?
Of the last 18 months I’ve spent nearly six
months on the road, spending up to eight
weeks at a time living out of a suitcase.
After eight hours in the car each day and
the prospect of yet more room service it’s
hard to find the motivation to do a day’s
work in the evening.
Whilst you need to be comfortable spending
large amounts of time in your own company,
you also need to be good with people as there
are hundreds of relationships to establish and
manage. These cover a range of organisations
from Local Authorities, police and fire services
to tourist attractions, schools and sponsors.
Managing expectations and the flow of
information to such a diverse and large
range of organisations, is also challenging.
The deadline is immovable, the level of
scrutiny from Government, the media and of
course the general public is quite rightly high
– no pressure then!
We have a fantastic team and I feel privileged
to work with so many highly motivated,
passionate and committed people. Its hard
work and long hours but we support each other
– after all we are spending 70 days on the
road together. I’m also lucky to be working on
the Games with one of my best friends Jenny
Donelan (nee Green) from Clyne Castle.
And of course, the beautiful scenery. Each of
the Advance Managers thinks they have the
best region – but I know I have!
Being part of the Torch Relay Team has given you
the opportunity to return to Swansea. What are
your thoughts and feelings of Swansea now,
fifteen years after graduating?
I’ve been back once or twice since graduating
but this time was different. I was so excited to
be returning in a professional capacity.
Swansea has and always will remain a very
special place to me – my student days were
the best and I have many fond memories.
Campus has changed so much – so many new
buildings in places where we used to lie on
the grass and soak up the sun!
Why did you originally decide to study at
Swansea University?
The course. I wanted to do a business related
degree that offered more than the standard fare
of business studies subjects. I also wanted to
spend a year abroad so I jumped at the chance
to study in North America (New Brunswick in
Canada). I hadn’t quite appreciated the beach
location, the Mumbles and proximity to the
Gower – that was all a bonus when I turned
up as a fresher!
It was my extracurricular activities that really
set me on my current path, that’s where I got
my interest and experience in events. I joined
RAG in my first year and then became a
committee member in my second. We
organised all manner of events, and the one
I was responsible for was the RAG parade.
Rather apt as it turns out as I’m returning
with another parade of sorts and retracing
the route in reverse from the Kingsway
past the University.
How does your role pan out following this
year’s Olympics and Paralympics?
What are your plans for the future?
The Olympic Torch Relay starts on Saturday
19th May in Land’s End and finishes when
the last Torchbearer lights the cauldron in
the Olympic Park on Friday 27th July.
After 70 consecutive days on the road
I’ll be ready for a sleep!
I don’t have a specific Games time role;
however there will be a lot of work closing
down the project and preparing for the
Paralympic Torch Relay which is a completely
different concept altogether and very different
in scale and atmosphere. There will be a Flame
Festival event in each Nation with the flame
lighting also taking place. The flames will be
brought together at Stoke Mandeville to create
the Paralympic Flame which will then be
brought to London in an overnight relay to light
the cauldron and start the Paralympic Games.
The Flame Festival for Wales will take place in
Cardiff on Monday 27th August and I’m
very excited about what’s being planned.
My contract ends in September and I plan to
take a long holiday, and certainly evaluate my
options. I know that I’m about to embark on a
very special, once in a lifetime journey. It’s
going to be very hard to top this that’s for sure.
Sail – 05

SWANSEA AT THE GAMES
The Alumni Office has been overwhelmed with stories of how our alumni are involved with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Here are just some of the ways in which Swansea University graduates are ensuring this year’s Games are the best yet...
Andy Wright
(Geography, 1998)
London Ambassador
Are you involved
with London 2012?
We’d love to hear from
you – get in touch -
alumni@swansea.ac.uk
Gillian Crow
(nee Hood)
(Latin, 1965)
Performer at
the Opening and
Closing ceremonies
“I was directed to the 2012 Olympics website,
where there was a call for volunteer performers for
the Opening and Closing ceremonies. As I had failed
in the allocation of tickets for either of these events,
I thought I would have a go at performing.
Two auditions and several months later I was
delighted to hear that I had been offered a role. I am
now looking forward to the start of rehearsals later
this month. I shall be 69 by the time the Games begin,
and remember as a 5-year-old child watching the
1948 London Olympics on a very small black-andwhite
television set. I never thought I would be taking
part the next time the Games came to London!”
Interesting fact: Gillian met her husband, Mechanical
Engineering student Simon Crow at Swansea.
Martin Roach
(Civil Engineering, 1978)
Travel Ambassador
Martin, Lead Engineer Construction
at London Underground is
volunteering at the Games as a Travel
Ambassador and will be posted at
strategic transport hubs to provide
general advice and assistance to
those travelling to Games venues.
Mark Vale
(Management
Science, 1986)
Torch Bearer
Mark carried the torch through
Nottingham on the 28th June. He is
currently based in Atlanta, USA as an
International Chief Financial Officer for
UPS, who are a sponsor for the 2012
Games, and support the logistics of all the
events. His nomination story describes him
as being part of a ‘core senior leadership
team’ at UPS, and someone who has
provided the company with ‘key direction’
and being ‘instrumental in many aspects of
business growth and long term stability.’
“I moved to London after graduating from Swansea
University in 1998, and got sucked into the pace of the
city. I love it! When I heard about the Olympics I looked
at being a Games Maker and a London Ambassador. The
Ambassador role means more to me as I love sharing my
insider knowledge about this great city.
That’s what Ambassadors do - share info about London.
We’re going to wear shocking pink and purple outfits so
we’re easily identifiable to those in need of information
and possibly inspiration about London. Questions will
include; ticketing, transport, entertainment, food, cultural
tips, anything really!
It has been quite a commitment for all volunteers; we don’t
get paid, not even with a ticket. We have to train for three
days prior to the event and typically must commit to six
consecutive days volunteering. But why not! I love London
and the Olympics have always got me excited so I’m
happy to put aside all the negative connotations
surrounding the event and be part of a team that makes
this the biggest and best Olympics so far.
I am proud to represent London to locals, visitors and
competitors alike. It will be tough but it’s going to be one
brilliant party and it will never happen again in my
lifetime. What am I going tell the kids? That I didn’t do
anything? No, I did a little, not a lot but I helped a few
folk have a better time in this city.”
Emma Stuart
(BA History & Politics,
2006; MA International
Relations, 2008)
Deputy Events Manager,
St John Ambulance in London
Emma’s role involves the
co-ordination of all medical
and emergency planning for
all of the Olympic Road Races,
the live sites and the Olympic
Torch relay for 7 days whilst in
London including the evening
celebration sites. Emma liaises
on a daily basis with the police,
ambulance service, councils,
event organisers and the London
Organising Committee of
the Olympic and Paralympic
Games (LOCOG).
Maria Tonchievici
(MA Applied Criminal
Justice and
Criminology, 2010)
Mentor at Royal
Borough of Greenwich
Maria has been offered a Games-time role at the
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, working
with the London Organising Committee of the
Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG)
for the Transport Department. Maria describes
this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and says
“I am so honoured and proud to be representing
my country (Romania) amongst the entire workforce
at the Olympics. I’m looking forward to this
incredibly memorable and valuable experience.”
1975 1985
1995 2005 2010 2012
Ian Carpenter
(Geography, 1975;
PGCE, 1976)
Games Maker
“As a lifelong runner and more recently
competing in triathlons I have always tried to give
something back to my sports. I have volunteered
for the last couple of years at the Dextro Energy
London, Hyde Park Triathlon and am also a
Regional Technical Official with the British
Triathlon Federation (BTF) refereeing triathlons
across the west and south west of England.
As a result of this volunteering I was asked to
apply for a Games Maker role at the Olympics.
The opportunity to be part of the ‘greatest event
on earth’ and to be so close to the elite athletes
was something I didn’t need to think twice about.
I went through the normal interview process and
training, and was asked to work at the Triathlon
test event in Hyde Park, as well as volunteering
for the Road Cycling test event. These test events
were amazing as British athletes won them all!
Afterwards I was asked if I would also volunteer
for the Road Cycling time trial so I am now a
Games Maker for three events. My role as a
Games Maker will be as part of the field-of-play
safety team, ensuring the race course is safe for
the athletes and members of the public.”
Josephine
Loughran
(Psychology, 1979)
Torch Bearer
Josephine carried the torch through York on the
20th June. She was nominated to carry the torch
as she, along with her brother, donated part of
their lungs in a pioneering operation to try to
save her terminally ill sister. Josephine said “To
me, the Olympics is the ultimate event,
encompassing individual and team excellence,
great history, worldwide appeal and a great
spectacle for all lifestyles. I am very proud and
happy to be associated in any small way with
London 2012. I was never going to qualify as
an athlete, so torch bearing is a wonderful thing
to do! It really feels as if the whole of the UK is
getting a real injection of patriotism at what
couldn’t be a better time!”
Manji Gami
(Electrical and Electronic
Engineering, 1988)
Managing Director,
Urmet Domus
Communication
and Security UK Ltd
Since 2010, Urmet have been involved with
supplying access control and video entry
systems for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Athletes’ Village. This includes around 3000
video apartment stations, 700 access control
readers and 70 digital video call modules.
Mike Clyne
(Psychology, 1988)
Games Maker for
Triathlon and Road Cycling
Mike, a HR Consultant at
FeMan Consulting Limited was
RAG Chairman in his second
year and the RAG sabbatical
officer in 1988/89.
Richard Selby
(Civil Engineering, 2002)
Head of Construction Services,
Mabey Bridge Limited
Richard has been involved with the
construction of the Olympic Park,
including the fabrication and
installation of 33 bridges around
and into the Park.
Dr Barry Conrad
Garnham
(BEng Mechanical Engineering,
2005; MRes Materials
Engineering 2007; PhD 2011)
Performer at Opening
Ceremony
Barry has been selected to perform at the Olympic
opening ceremony, along with his brother, Darius (also a
Swansea graduate). They will be performing on their bikes,
which will involve high speed manoeuvres and crossovers
with some dance elements thrown in. Barry said “I’m really
looking forward to taking part in this event. I have already
made many friends and everyone comes from such a
variety of backgrounds; it really will be an all-inclusive
multicultural British showcase. It’s a once in a life time
opportunity to be involved with an Olympic event, and
being a home Olympics makes it even more special.”
Phillipa
Sampson
(Community Health
Studies, 2012)
Torch Bearer
Phillipa carried the torch through Llanelli on
27th May and was nominated to become a
torch bearer for her work in the community.
Phillipa runs several marathons a year to raise
money for charity and spends time visiting
Zambia to take care of orphans, many of whom
have AIDS. Phillipa said “It was an honour and
a privilege to carry the flame and I will never
forget it. Friends, family and other spectators
were what made the experience so special.”
Sail – 06
Sail – 07

SWANSEA UNIVERSITY TO MANAGE WALES’ FIRST
DUAL PURPOSE WATER AND BEACH SPORTS CENTRE
An artist’s impression of the new Water sports centre
PREMIER LEAGUE SUCCESS
A Swansea company behind one of
Wales’ leading tourist destinations has
joined forces with Swansea University
to win the tender to manage Wales’
first dual purpose water and beach
sports centre on Swansea Bay.
A not for profit company set up by
Swansea University and Bay Leisure
Limited will manage the venture that
is set to open opposite St Helen’s
ground in Swansea this autumn.
Central to the partnership’s winning
bid was their focus on creating an
all year-round community facility
focused on making the most of
sporting opportunities both in the
sea and on the adjoining beach.
Paul Robinson, Head of Commercial
Services at Swansea University,
said: “We are committed to the city
and to improving access to sport
and recreation for all. This contract
gives us the chance to engage,
involve and inspire people from all
walks of life and is an opportunity
that we fully embrace. The University
will offer a global context to the
partnership, opening new markets
and promoting the Centre and the
city around the world.”
The Centre has been named
360 and construction work has
already started on the Centre with
completion expected late this
summer with a view to opening to
the public in the autumn.
Sports on offer will include:
• Windsurfing
• Kayaking
• Kite Surfing
• Open water swimming
• Paddle boarding
• Beach volleyball, rugby
and football
• Petanque
• Frisbee
• Kiting
Ben Donovan read History at Swansea
University, graduating in 2011. Whilst at
University he was heavily involved with the
student newspaper, and this commitment was
recognised during his final year at the Media
Awards. As Sports Editor he won the award for
‘Editor of the Year’ and the sports section also
won ‘Best Section Award’. Ben currently works
at Swansea City Football Club, who are enjoying
their first year of Premier League success.
Ben visited the Alumni Office to discuss
what it’s like to work at a Premier League
football club.
What is your role at Swansea City Football Club?
I’m the Programme Editor and also one of the
club’s Press Officers. I oversee the club’s match
day programme ‘Jack Magazine’ that is
produced for every home game in the league
and cup. I carry out feature interviews with
the players, as well as writing news stories
and helping to update the club website. I also
assist with press days, liaising with journalists
for player interview requests and I attend
both home and away games to provide
match reports, Twitter updates and video
interviews for our website.
What are the most challenging parts
of your job?
Meeting tight deadlines! For the magazine to
reach its sales figures it often needs to be on
sale in the club shop 24 hours before a match
– bringing the deadline further forward than
normal. I often chase contributors for their
work, which can be frustrating but I love the
adrenalin rush of trying to meet a deadline
– it’s just part and parcel of media work.
Another challenge is making the feature
interviews engaging for the thousands of
people that read them. I try to think of new
and enterprising ways of enhancing them
each time which helps me further improve
as a writer and journalist.
What are the most rewarding parts of your job?
To be paid to watch Premier League football
every week is a dream come true for me.
Many people would give their right arm to be
in the position that I am in and that’s why I
strive to improve further, working hard every
day. Travelling to away matches can be tiring,
but it’s a thoroughly rewarding experience as
we get to know the players and management
on a personal level. The food is always quite
good at a lot of the Premier League grounds,
so that’s always something to look forward to!
What are your plans for the future?
It would one day be nice to work for a national
newspaper of high regard, such as The Times,
Telegraph or The Guardian, or to produce my
own magazine that would appeal to a mass
target audience. Other than that, I’m
thoroughly enjoying what I’m currently
doing so there could be scope to expand
the horizons in the years to come.
Tell us about your continued involvement
with the University...
I have given employability talks to
undergraduate students on how to start a
career in the media, and the variety of
activities they need to undertake alongside
their degree if they are to give themselves
the best possible chance of getting a job after
they graduate. I feel I have some valuable
experience that would benefit students as
I can relate to them, and vice versa, because
I was in their position just twelve months ago.
SWANSEA CITY FC
STATS FOR 2011/12
PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON
11th
FINISH POSITION
47
POINTS
HOME
4 GAMES LOST
GOALS
44 SCORED
Ben Donovan
TOP GOAL SCORER:
DANNY GRAHAM
(14 GOALS)
CLEAN
14 SHEETS
4
ALUMNUS AIMS FOR PARALYMPIC GOLD
London will host the fourteenth Paralympics
this year and for alumnus James Roberts he
will be competing in his second Games.
James graduated from Swansea University
in 2010, having completed a BSc in Sports
Science. He has been involved in a variety
of sports for many years; he swam for
Great Britain’s development squad in 2004
and 2005, then switched to rowing. In
2008, James competed in his first Paralympic
Games in Beijing. He was one of the first
ever Paralympic rowers, as adaptive rowing
made its debut at these Games. James and
his partner achieved fantastic success,
coming 5th in the Final mixed adaptive
double scull.
This year James has been selected for the
GB Sitting Volleyball team. The Sitting
Volleyball team was once ranked in the top
eight in the world; however focus on the
team lessened and it was the announcement
of London as the host city, which turned
attention towards the team and a rebuilding
process began. This process has already
proved successful, the team secured 9th
place at the 2011 European Championships
in Rotterdam and beat the USA, who are
ranked 10th in the world, at the ECVD
Continental Cup in Kettering.
The Alumni Office spoke to James during
a rare break in training...
Congratulations on making the GB team
for Sitting Volleyball, how does it feel to be
taking part in another Paralympics?
I am immensely proud to be representing
my country again! The home crowd will be a
great advantage, and I have the opportunity
to compete in front of friends and family
which will be a fantastic experience.
Describe a typical week’s training with
the Sitting Volleyball team?
An average of 25 hours per week, and
this varies from gym work, technical and
tactical work on court.
How did it feel to be taking part in the
Beijing Paralympics, and what is your
best memory of the competition?
I was very proud to wear the colours
of Great Britain and this was especially
important to me because it was the first time
rowing was including in the Paralympics.
My best memory was making the final
by 0.09 seconds over the USA!
What have you done that you are
most proud of?
Winning an Olympic/Paralympic Trial
in 2004 for swimming, selection for
the Paralympic Games and graduating
from university.
Why did you decide to study at Swansea
University, and what did you enjoy most
about your course?
Swansea is one of the top universities in
Wales, its location is unbeatable with the
city and seaside nearby and a major draw
was the sporting facilities. The course
enabled me to put into practice the sciences
behind sport which athletes take for granted,
something I enjoyed very much.
What would be your ultimate achievement?
Winning gold at the Paralympics.
Good luck James!
James Roberts. Photo credit: ajsphotographi
Sail – 08 Sail – 09

ALEX’S
CHINESE
ADVENTURE
5 MUNUD GYDA ... NIA PARRY
Llio Wyn o Academi Hywel Teifi yn sgwrsio â’r gyflwynwraig a’r tiwtor iaith
a raddiodd â BA (Anrh) Cymraeg o Brifysgol Abertawe yn 1996.
Pam dewis Prifysgol Abertawe? Pa brofiadau
penodol sydd yn aros yn y cof?
Faint mor bwysig mae’r Gymraeg wedi
bod i ti yn ystod dy yrfa?
Nia Parry
Alex Pirie graduated in the summer of 2011,
having completed a BSc in Psychology. On
graduating he flew to Harbin University in
Heilongjiang, to participate in the ‘Summer in
China’ programme run by the two institutions.
After completing the programme Alex
travelled in the west of the country, before
going to Chongqing to study Chinese.
We spoke to Alex to find out more about
his Chinese adventure...
How are you enjoying studying and
living in China?
I love it in China. I’ve never been to
somewhere as fundamentally different as it
is here. Studying is very rewarding because
I’m learning the language and seeing instant
results. I can learn a phrase in the morning
and then use it in the evening. There is no
better way to learn a language or a culture
than to just jump head-long into it.
I also enjoy playing football in my spare time.
I play for two football teams, the Chongqing
University of Technology students’ team and
Chongqing International Football Club
(CQIFC). The University of Technology team
have been very successful this year, we came
third in the Chongqing Universities Cup (I was
awarded the golden boot and most valuable
player of the tournament) and have been
unbeaten since October. CQIFC took part in
the Carlsberg Cup which was a Chongqingwide
7-a-side tournament and the team came
third. We won a prize of 800 RMB (roughly
£80) each plus a crate of Carlsberg! I also
took part in the Chongqing International
Marathon, completing a half marathon
in 1:40.49. I was the fastest finisher out
of the CQIFC.
How are you getting to grips with
learning Chinese?
Chinese is a tough language to learn, the
pronunciation and tones are difficult and the
reading and writing is even more so. I do feel
I am making progress though. In listening, my
Chinese is very good and through constant
interaction with people my spoken Chinese
is slowly getting there.
What have you found most challenging
about your trip to China?
For me the most challenging thing would be
getting used to the Chinese university way of
life. After coming from the UK system where
you have almost total control over your own
life, I found it very difficult to get used to being
treated as if I was still at secondary school.
That said, sometimes you just have to accept
the cultural differences and get on with it!
What has been your favourite moment so far?
I’ve had so many fantastic moments since I’ve
been here. One of my favourites was during
the summer when I went hitch-hiking through
western (Tibetan) Sichuan. The scenery was
absolutely stunning; I’ve never been to places
as beautiful as this area.
What did you enjoy most about your time
at Swansea?
I had a great time at Swansea – in particular
the social life. I will never forget some of the
things I did and the people I met. Swansea
offered so much to me; I was part of The Hitch,
the sports teams were fun and I lived with the
same guys for three years; we’re family now.
I learned a lot about myself, I had many
adventures and I don’t think I will ever
laugh as much as I did at Swansea.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans seem to change all the time: for
the foreseeable future I am planning on
improving my Chinese further. Immediately
after I’ve finished in China my principle aim
is to get on the road again, explore and see
what I can see. Once I’ve done that, who
knows? Armed with a good degree from
Swansea, good English, French and Chinese,
and a bucket-full of experiences and stories to
tell, I’m sure I can do anything.
Photos courtesy of Alex Pirie,
taken during his time in China.
Swansea University summer
programmes offer students the
opportunity to gain valuable experience
abroad during the summer holidays. The
programmes are suited to students who
are not able to go abroad as part of their
degree, or for those who prefer to spend
shorter periods away. Countries in the
summer programmes include China,
India, Africa, USA, Australia and France.
For more information visit:
www.swansea.ac.uk/international/
Looking to enhance your employability,
gain a career advantage, or study your
subject in more depth? Why not consider
studying a Postgraduate course at Swansea
University? For more information on
Postgraduate study, visit
www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/
Can you make a difference? Your
support can help us to achieve our
aims, and can make a difference to the
generations who will help shape the future.
There are several ways you can help, from
one-off gifts and regular giving, to corporate
donations and legacies. Financial gifts can
be used to fund scholarships, bursaries and
world-class research. Alternatively you may
like to give your time, perhaps as a mentor
to some of our students, or by offering work
placements or internships that boost their
employability and prospects. Find out more
at www.swansea.ac.uk/alumni/support/
Fel un o’r gogledd, doeddwn i erioed wedi
bod i Abertawe o’r blaen. Fe ddois i yma ar
ddiwrnod agored a syrthio mewn cariad
gyda’r lle! Ro’n i eisiau astudio’r Gymraeg a
byw y bywyd Cymreig, ond eto, ro’n i am
fod yn ddigon pell o adre. Roedd Prifysgol
Abertawe yn cynnig hyn i gyd a mwy.
Nai fyth anghofio darlithoedd Yr Athro
Hywel Teifi Edwards, roedda nhw wir yn
anhygoel. Ro’n i’n edrych ymlaen i fynychu
pob un. Roedd hi fel mynychu’r theatr a
phrin yr oedden ni’r myfyrwyr yn cymryd
nodiadau! Mi fuaswn wedi talu i fynd i bob
un ac fe gafodd Hywel Teifi ddylanwad
mawr arna i.
Roedd o’n dweud yr ymadrodd ‘yn gwmws’
drwy’r amser. Doeddwn i ddim yn deall ei
ystyr a dwi’n cofio gofyn iddo’i egluro.
Yr ateb a gefais oedd:
‘O! Co ni unwaith ‘to, blydi gog yn dod
ato ni lawr fan hyn ac yn deall dim!’
Roedd o’n dipyn o dynnwr coes!
Beth wnes di ar ôl graddio? Sut y gwnaeth
dy gyfnod ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe baratoi
dy lwybr gyrfaol?
Wel ‘nai fyth anghofio y cinio graddio. Fe
ddaeth Hywel Teifi ataf a gofyn beth oedd
fy nghynlluniau. Dwi’n cofio fo’n dweud:
‘Nawr bo da ti radd yn y Gymraeg, gwna’n
fawr ohono. Mae cyfrifoldeb ar dy
ysgwyddau di nawr.’
Mae’n debyg i’w eiriau dreiddio i fy
isymwybod yn rhywle wrth ystyried fy
ngwaith erbyn hyn. Pan ymunais gyda’r
rhaglen ‘Welsh in a Week’ derbyniais lythyr
ganddo yn fy llongyfarch ar y swydd.
Mae’n rhaid fy mod i wedi plesio!
Erbyn hyn, yr wyt yn wyneb cyfarwydd fel
cyflwynydd teledu a thiwtor y Gymraeg. Ond
beth sydd orau gennyt? Cyflwyno neu dysgu?
Mae’n rhyfedd faint mor debyg ydi
cyflwyno a dysgu gan fod yr elfen o
berfformio yn rhan elfennol yn y ddwy
swydd. Mae ’na heriau gwahanol wrth
reswm. Mae’r grefft o fod yn gyflwynydd da
yn her – yn enwedig i mi achos roedd gas
gen i ddosbarthiadau
drama yn yr ysgol!
Faint o ieithoedd yr wyt ti’n eu siarad?
A oes gennyt gynlluniau i ddysgu iaith arall?
Dwi’n medru siarad ychydig o Ffrangeg,
Sbaeneg a Thwrceg. Fues i’n byw ac yn
gweithio yn Nhwrci am naw mis yn 1997,
a dysgais yr iaith drwy osmosis.
Mi fuaswn wrth fy modd yn dysgu Eidaleg,
Hebraeg ac un iaith Geltaidd arall – falle
yr af i ar gwrs preswyl i Lydaw rhywdro!
Mae medru siarad Cymraeg yn bwysig
iawn i mi. Wrth i ni ddatblygu fel
dinasyddion byd eang, dwi’n credu
bod medru siarad mwy nag un iaith
yn hynod fanteisiol – yn enwedig yn yr
hinsawdd presennol. Mae’n cyfoethogi
bywyd ac yn ehangu gorwelion. Erbyn
hyn, mae ymchwil yn dangos bod
unigolion sydd yn siarad mwy nag
un iaith yn fwy deallus!
O gofio bod y Gemau Olympaidd yn
cael eu cynnal ym Mhrydain eleni a bod
Prifysgol Abertawe yn cynnig amrywiaeth
o chwaraeon, a fanteisiaist ti ar y cyfleoedd
sydd yma tra yr oeddet yn fyfyrwraig?
Ro’n i wrth fy modd gyda chwaraeon
tra’n fyfyrwraig. Roeddwn yn aelod o
dîm pêl-rwyd y Brifysgol a thîm dinas
Abertawe. Mae gen i atgofion melys
iawn o gymryd rhan mewn amrywiaeth
o gystadlaethau – a gwneud llawer
o ffrindiau hefyd.
Beth wyt ti’n ei wneud ar hyn o bryd?
Rwy’n ffilmio dwy raglen i ddysgwyr ar
gyfer S4C sef ‘Cariad@Iaith’ a ‘HWB TV’.
Dwi’n fam i Hedd, ac ar fin cael babi
arall – dim ond wyth wythnos sydd gen
i fynd! Dwi’n brysur iawn ar hyn o bryd
ac wedi arfer codi cyn 5 y bore!
Beth yw dy gynlluniau a’th obeithion ar
gyfer y dyfodol?
O ran gyrfa, fe hoffwn gynhyrchu rhaglenni
dogfen yn y dyfodol a chario ‘mlaen
gyda’r cyflwyno a’r tiwtora. Yn ddiweddar
dwi wedi cyflawni cymhwyster i fod yn
gwnselydd proffesiynol, felly pwy a ˆwyr
beth a ddaw. Ond, ar hyn o bryd, yr hyn
sydd ar flaen fy meddwl yw geni plentyn!
Ac i fod yn fam cystal â’r hyn a fedraf
fod – hynny sydd yn bwysig i mi.
Rwy’n cyffroi wrth weld Hedd yn dod
yn ei flaen bob dydd, ac rwy’n teimlo
cyfrifoldeb mawr wrth imi a’r gˆwr siapio
ei fywyd gyda’r un egwyddorion ac a
ddysgom ni.
Disgrifia Prifysgol Abertawe mewn
pum gair... Cymdeithasol, Hapus, Cartrefol,
Cyfeillgar, Disglair – yn yr ystyr fod yr
haul yn disgleirio ar y môr bob dydd!
‘Nai fyth anghofio
darlithoedd Yr Athro
Hywel Teifi Edwards,
roedda nhw wir yn
anhygoel.’
Neges gan gyn-fyfyrwraig
Prifysgol Abertawe Nia Parry /
A message by former Swansea
University student Nia Parry.
If you would like an English translation
of this article, please let us know by
emailing alumni@swansea.ac.uk
Sail – 10 Sail – 11

KEEPING IN TOUCH
OLD BOYS AND
GIRLS HOCKEY
The ninth annual Old Boys and Girls
Hockey tournament took place over the
weekend of 5th May, with eleven teams
taking part this year. The tournament
ran at the King George V playing fields
where two of the three trophies were
won by Old Boys and Girls teams. The
wooden spoon was won by the current
Ladies seconds and third team. Saturday
evening was then spent in JC’s Bar
where the presentations took place,
and then onto Diva’s, where a good
time was had by all.
With next year being the
10th Anniversary, the Hockey Club
hope for the best turnout ever.
The Hockey Club would like to
thank Mr Andrew Brunsdon,
a founder member of this
reunion weekend, for designing
the fixture lists, and also the
Alumni Association for once
again supporting this event.
See you all next year!
OLD BOYS FOOTBALL
In March each year, the Old Boys’ Football
Teams (first-third) of 1978-1983 meet up for
a weekend of football, golf, drinks and curry,
and a general catch-up and reminisce.
The photo is of a Sunday match versus a
BBC Wales team on a very wet Fairwood.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SURVIVORS’ REUNION
Originally the Survivors’ Reunion was
held for former Hockey Team members
who graduated between 1933 and 1954.
The reunion has now grown to cover all
graduates of all courses from the period
1933-1960. The reunion is held at Sketty
Hall, where alumni gather to hear about
developments at Swansea and reminisce
about their time at the University.
This year’s Survivors’ Reunion will
be held on 6th September at 1pm.
If you are interested in attending,
please contact the Alumni Office.
CIVIL ENGINEERING 1962
Swansea Civil Engineering alumni,
Tom Morgan, John Barker and Ken Peebles
visited their former department on 22nd May
to meet with academic staff. The three hadn’t
met up since they graduated fifty years
ago and are planning to return to Swansea
University in October 2012 to hold a reunion
and also to talk about their experience in
industry to current postgraduate students.
Are you a 1962 Civil Engineering graduate
or are you in contact with one of the class of
fifteen? Tom, John and Ken would like to
meet up with you in October. Contact the
Alumni Office for further information.
ATHLETICS & CROSS COUNTRY
AND TRIATHLON CLUBS
Swansea Trotters, the alumni club for graduates of Swansea
University’s Athletics & Cross Country and Triathlon, held
its first annual 5k road race on 10th March. The event saw
alumni take on current students, with the course taking
participants over a 5k stretch of Swansea’s sea front.
Richard Mann, the current Cross Country team captain took
the win with a time of 16:30, just edging his training partner
Tom Bowerman (the current Club captain of Athletics & Cross
Country) who clocked in at 16:36. The first alumni member
to cross the line was Stephen Richards, (former Athletics
Secretary 2006-7 and Cross Country Captain 2007-8)
at fourth place with a time of 17:43, with Andrew De
Camps in fifth.
With a respectable turnout of over 20 members and
alumni, the race was then followed by a meal and drinks
at the Cross Keys. If you are a past member of either the
Athletics & Cross Country Club or the Triathlon Club,
or if you simply wish to take part in any future events,
contact the Trotters.
Website: http://swanseatrotters.wordpress.com/
Facebook Group: Swansea Trotters
Email: swanseatrotters@hotmail.co.uk
LONDON NETWORKING EVENT
The inaugural ‘Swansea in London’ event
took place in November 2011 and was an
opportunity for alumni to meet and network
with fellow Swansea University graduates.
Over 50 guests attended the evening,
with the Vice-Chancellor discussing
the University’s recent developments
and achievements.
This year’s ‘Swansea in London’ event will
take place on 1st November at the Transport
for London Headquarters, 55 Broadway.
If you are interested in attending,
please contact the Alumni Office.
FRIENDS REUNITED
Anne Doherty and Mary Schultz (nee Mahtani)
met at Swansea University in 1968, becoming
close friends. Mary graduated in 1970 and
Anne a year later in 1971. The friends wrote to
each other for some time but the letters became
fewer until they both lost contact. In 2009,
Anne contacted the Alumni Office, who traced
Mary and enabled them to get back in contact
with each other after 41 years. Anne visited
Mary in Canada in 2011, spending Christmas
and New Year together. You can read the
full story at www.swansea.ac.uk/alumni/
stay-connected/news/friendsreunite
SERIOUS ABOUT SPORT
Another memorable year for sport at Swansea University
By Christopher Penn (Civil Engineering Student, Founder and Head of AU Media – suaumedia.com)
Amidst Varsity heartbreak it has been
a fantastic year for sport at Swansea
University. Olympic and Paralympic fever
has certainly gripped the Welsh city and
our Green and White hopefuls are
looking to win gold this summer.
Georgia Davies will be competing in the
100m backstroke at the Olympics games
and looking to create history in front of a
home crowd. Gemma Almond and Matt
Whorwood will be waving the flag for Great
Britain at the Paralympic games as they look
to bring home medals in the pool. These
Games will also see Swansea’s David Smith
look to defend his Gold medal in Boccia
from Beijing four years ago and the
Engineering student is relishing it.
“Having home support will be great,
I’m excited about competing in that
environment,” he said.
The Olympic Stadium will see dreams come
true this summer, and it has already been
the stage for some wonderful achievements
including those of the Swansea University’s
Athletics team. The BUCS Outdoor
Championships were held at the new
landmark stadium as part of its testing
and the Swansea University team finished
a fantastic 15th out of 117.
Another landmark that featured in University
sport this year was the iconic Millennium
Stadium which once again hosted the Welsh
Varsity rugby match. Unfortunately the team
were unable to repeat the feat of last year
and succumbed to a 33-13 defeat to Cardiff.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Swansea
University rugby as this year saw Ian
Williams, Rhodri Clancy, Tom Rowlands,
Ianto Griffiths, Jon Barley and Aled Lewis all
feature in the return of the Welsh students’
side. Open side flanker Sam Lewis had his
efforts rewarded in March when he was
awarded a regional contract with the
Ospreys, and first year Reuben Tucker
was called up to the Wales U20s for the
U20s Six Nations.
“It’s a massive honour, I always aspired
to represent my country and it’s a huge
opportunity,” Tucker said after getting the call.
Ladies Lacrosse had a memorable year as
they completed the BUCS double, winning
the Western 2A league title as well as their
divisional cup with captain Emily Jones
elated at her team’s success this year.
“I have been really proud to have captained
such an incredible group of girls and am
confident that this success will continue,”
she said.
Other successful females were the Ladies
Hockey first team who won the Welsh Shield,
whilst their male counterparts were unluckily
defeated in extra time in the final of the
men’s Welsh Shield.
There was joy for the Men’s Football first
team who secured their promotion to the
Premier Division. This coupled with the Ladies
Football team winning their Saturday League
and Cup, made it a great year for football
here at the University.
Men’s Basketball made the sports hall on
Sketty Lane a fortress as they secured their
Western 2B title with an unbeaten season.
This year saw the emergence of martial arts,
in particular Jiu Jitsu who won ‘Club of the
Year’ at the Athletic Union Awards. For
the first time in the clubs’ history they
won the Atemi National Championships –
an immense feat.
This summer will see the Athletic Union
dissolve, however the spirit of sport at this
University will certainly not die as the teams
look on to improve next year and come back
bigger and stronger than ever.
Sail – 12