Four Welsh international athletes will continue to receive funding from London Marathon Events (LME) during 2021. Cardiff Athletics team-mates Charlotte Arter, Jenny Nesbitt and Jake Heyward, along with Natasha Cockram, of the Micky Morris Racing Team, are among the 29 athletes to receive support from LME.

Gareth Bale is still unable to play for a full 90 minutes, according to his Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho. The Wales captain has returned to a rich vein of form in recent weeks, having seemingly overcome the injury problems that undermined the initial period of his loan move from Real Madrid. But with the start of the delayed Euro 2020 finals just 13 weeks away, Mourinho has claimed Bale is still not up to lasting a full game.

As Wales move towards the possibility of conquering Europe on the field, it’s worth noting that this week represents a dozen years since the country planted its flag on top of the world. The year was 2009, the version was sevens, and the lack of recognition has been criminal, says Fraser Watson. It was a landmark moment in the history of Welsh rugby – or at least it should have been. In March 2009, the story of a nation’s only World Cup triumph unfolded in Dubai. From being 80-1 outsiders, a Wales sevens side coached by Paul John dramatically defeated Argentina in a tournament final few envisaged them even getting near.

Jazz Richards’ move into the JD Cymru Premier is going to prove huge value to Haverfordwest County, according to manager Wayne Jones. Former Wales defender Richards returned to the field on Tuesday night, 382 days since he last played for Cardiff City in a 2-0 loss at Stoke City. Richards was unable to prevent his side from slipping to a last gasp 2-1 defeat at Aberystwyth Town but Jones is adamant his new signing can be transformational.

For the men’s game, the Six Nations is coming to the boil with Wales two games away from another Grand Slam. For the women, however, it’s a case of sitting on the sidelines for the time being. It was a delay that provoked plenty of opposition, but Wales back row forward Manon Johnes reckons there will be benefits as she told Graham Thomas. If adaptability was the key to success during lockdown, then Wales forward Manon Johnes should have few problems when the women’s Six Nations starts in April. The men’s tournament may be in full swing but as the women’s game lacks a full-time professional structure there were too many problems to overcome during the pandemic and the shift in the calendar resulted.

Wales Golf has postponed the 2021 Welsh Open Strokeplay at Machynys near Llanelli until August, when it is hoped the event will be able to host a national and international entry. With the COVID-19 restriction timelines currently in place around the UK and Europe, it was felt the original dates in the middle of May would be too early to host the usual quality of event.

By Paul Jones Ryan Giggs will remain on the sidelines for three more Wales matches – two of them World Cup qualifiers – as he awaits the outcome of his extended bail over assault allegations. Instead, Robert Page will stay in charge for the three games against Belgium, Mexico and the Czech Republic as the […]

Welsh Athletics national coach Chris Jones’ secondment to British Athletics is part of a UK-wide approach to developing endurance athletes. Although Jones’ daily commitment to Welsh Athletics will be reduced by 40 per cent, or two days a week, he will continue to work with athletes in their preparation for the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

A late goal from veteran striker Michael Wilde was enough to seal Connah’s Quay a victory over local rivals Flint Town United, and send the Nomads top of the JD Cymru Premier. The Deeside derby appeared to be heading for a stalemate until Wilde proved too difficult for the Flint defence to contain. Flint’s perseverance […]

Wayne Pivac insists he has no fears over Taulupe Faletau’s staying power after choosing not to rest the Wales No.8 in Italy this weekend. Faletau has featured in every Wales game so far in their unbeaten Six Nations campaign, as well as representing Bath in the two break weeks. But Wales coach Pivac – who has made only two changes to the team that beat England to clinch the Triple Crown a fortnight ago – says Faletau is “economical” with his exertions when he goes back to play for his club.

Steve Cooper was grateful to come away with a point as his Swansea City side missed a chance to move into the automatic promotion places in a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers. Andre Ayew scored his fourth penalty in as many games to draw Swansea level moments after Bradley Dack’s 37th-minute opener, but Ayew’s spot-kick was the Swans’ only shot on target as they were left hanging on in the second half. The point is enough to move them level with second-placed Watford, still with a game in hand on the Hornets, and head coach Cooper was grateful to take at least something from the game given how many chances Blackburn created.

Former Wales 400m international Tim Benjamin and South Wales-based Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell have been appointed to Great Britain’s sprint coaching set up. Benjamin, who won a 4x400m silver medal for Wales at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, is the new head of long sprints and relays.

Nicola Phillips has said she believes the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be special as nations re-group after a year dealing with the global pandemic. Phillips – who has been appointed as Wales’ chef de mission for the second Games in succession – says her aim is to ensure Welsh athletes perform to the peak of their abilities in Birmingham next summer following months of disruption. The Cardiff University professor of physiotherapy will be trying to ensure Wales build on their achievements of 2018 at the Gold Coast in Australia, where the team won 36 medals – including 10 golds – to make their most successful Commonwealth Games.

R4W, the team behind events like the Cardiff University Cardiff Half Marathon & ABP Newport Wales Marathon have teamed up with performance underwear brand Runderwear to launch an all-new women’s event. Inspired by Cardiff University research into why women run and the barriers around participation, the HER VIRTUAL 5K – which takes its name from the Welsh word for ‘challenge’ – is the first in a series of exciting new women’s events

Former Wales captain Ashley Williams has said he was disappointed at receiving “no answers” when manager Ryan Giggs left him out of the national team. Williams – who announced his retirement last month at the age of 36 – rates the last qualifying campaign for the delayed Euro 2020 finals as one of the two most difficult periods of his career. The former Swansea City skipper – who led his country to the semi-final of Euro 2016 – has revealed he felt left in the dark about the reasons why he was being overlooked despite playing regularly in the Championship for Bristol City.

Freddie Woodman is happy he doesn’t have to face the teammate he calls The Iceman. The Swansea City goalkeeper has earned rave reviews this season for keeping 17 clan sheets in the Championship, but is the first to admit the goals provided by Ghanaian talisman Andre Ayew have done just as much to keep the Swans flying high in the promotion race. Twice last week Woodman was watching from the end of the pitch as Ayew stepped up to take penalties in the 96th and 97th minutes of the games against Stoke City and Middlesbrough.

Defending champions Connah’s Quay will reclaim their place at the top of the JD Cymru Premier with a win tonight at local rivals Flint Town United. The Nomads moved to within a point of the summit after current leaders and title rivals The New Saints were held to a draw on the weekend. Connah’s Quay […]

Four players from the Cardiff Devils have changed teams – albeit temporarily – in a North America-style draft for the new Elite Series. Matthew Myers, Josh Batch, Sam Duggan and Toms Rutkis will all feature in the one-off tournament, which is due to start next month in the absence of the cancelled 2020/21 Elite League […]

Welsh Gymnastics have released their long list of gymnasts who are eligible for nomination and potential selection for Team Wales for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Announced on Commonwealth Day, the list of 21 squad gymnasts includes four bidding to secure their spot at a second Commonwealth Games, having competed on the Gold Coast in 2018. Two of those are in women’s artistic. Bridgend’s Emily Thomas – who also has hopes of making the Great Britain squad for the postponed Tokyo Olympics this summer – and Holly Jones were both part of Team Wales in Australia three years ago.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Welsh Athletics has announced the launch of a new initiative to celebrate, encourage and support female coaches in Wales.