July Club News Update

Dear Members/Volunteers/Parents/Lapsed members

We are almost half way through the year and I thought it high time you are updated on various Club matters. My best wishes to you all – Helen.

Track Refurbishment

Thankyou to everyone who contacted Councillors and the MP regarding the need to refurbish the track. If you haven’t already had chance to contact them, there is still time to do this, and it will greatly help our cause. 

We are now pressing for a Condition survey of the track by Labosport who can provide an independent survey at a cost is ~£3K, which can be used by Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC) at the refurbishment tendering stage. Our aim is to get this completed by September to push for budget allocation for works in 2027/28. 

Club Cabin Door Vandalised at Pemberton Track

The door of the cabin was destroyed over the weekend of 18^th/19^th July. We have reported this to the Police and are trying to establish if anything was taken. Paul Oram and Paul Osborne very kindly dashed down to put up a temporary repair. We are hoping to install a new door before the weekend of 25^th July. 

Pemberton Track Hire Costs

We are still pressing CCC to adjudicate on the proposed increased cost of the track hire. We with- held payments up until June 2026. Scarlet’s have now revised these bills, which we have paid as an indication of our good will. However, they have indicated that during winter months the hire cost will substantially increase. For this reason, we are continuing to press CCC to direct an appropriate charge.

Sports Wales Grant Awarded

We have been successful in our application for £1,467.00 funds to cover costs of coaching courses for the following people:

Full Coach – Leighton Ryan and Anthony Johansen

Assistant Coach – Sylwia Lichon

Leadership in Running – Sylwia Lichon, Donna Fernadez, Sofiya Abramchuk-Hussey

Junior’s Managers

Daf and Harrison have stepped up brilliantly to support the Juniors and their parents at the 2026 competitions. We are very grateful for their hard work. Thank you both.

Assistant Coach Nomination

West Wales Clubs were asked by the West Wales Region Committee to nominate a coach or assistant coach who they felt should be recognised for their contribution. Nominations will be discussed by the West Wales Committee and the chosen coach will go on to represent West Wales as the Coach of the Year nominee for the Welsh Athletics Annual Awards 2026.

We have nominated Leighton Ryan. His nomination is shown below:

“A few years ago, Leighton came along to Llanelli Athletic Club, bringing his teenage daughter to train and compete in athletics. Like many parents he watched evening training sessions for a while from the stand. 

However, having recently returned home after completing 25 years’ service in the Welsh Guards, he realised he understands first-hand the importance that sport, teamwork and club membership can have in the lives of young people. He believes sporting clubs provide much more than physical activity; they offer young people a sense of belonging, discipline, confidence and the opportunity to develop valuable life skills. 

Recognising the importance of this, he has supported the club personally by qualifying as an assistant coach so that he can help with training and contribute to providing opportunities for the next generation of athletes in our local community. 

This year he has also registered to undertake the full coaching course run by Welsh Athletics this autumn. He is super enthusiastic regarding the throwing events and is quickly learning from other more experienced coaches with regards sprints.  

We need to recognise the contribution people like Leighton make, as it is only through parents stepping up in this way and developing their skills that we can ensure the future of our athletic clubs and the performances of our athletes.”