Cardiff Cross Challenge Returns to the City for the Sixteenth Year

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jan 29, 2013

Cardiff has successfully hosted the 16th annual McCain Cross Challenge this month.

Cardiff Council Leisure Services are one of the main sponsors for the event which saw 1400 athletes as well as primary school children compete in one of 12 races throughout the day.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “The Cardiff Cross Challenge is one of the most high-calibre events on the calendar and boasts an impressive number of different race events throughout the day.

“We are thrilled it was hosted here successfully for the 16th year despite the cold weather. Cardiff Council recognises the importance it has for the sport as it appeals to experienced runners as well as encouraging grass roots talent which leads to healthy and active lifestyles in young people”.

The event attracts competitors of all levels and ages from across the UK and takes place in the centre of Cardiff within the beautiful grounds of Cardiff Castle, Bute Park along the River Taff and leads into Blackweir fields.

The event is organised by Graham Finlayson BEM from Cardiff Cross Country and Road Events with the support of UK Athletics and Welsh Athletics.

Cardiff was the fourth fixture in the 2012 and 2013 series, which includes races in Bristol, Liverpool, Antrim and Birmingham.

The Cardiff Cross Challenge was founded in 1997 and has since become one of the most prestigious events in the UK.

The high-class competition incorporates a full range of men’s, women’s and young persons races for age groups including Seniors, Under 20s, Under 17s, Under 15s and Under 13’s.

The course is marked up to national standards and incorporates a mixture of flat fast running with interesting woodland and riverside sections.

Tickets for derby day at the Millennium Stadium on sale

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 14, 2012

Tickets for Wales’ double-header derby day at the Millennium Stadium will go on public sale today (Friday 14 September) at 12noon.

The festival of rugby will see the Newport Gwent Dragons face the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues take on the Ospreys in back-to-back clashes on Saturday 30 March, for the first of a new annual rugby initiative at the home of Welsh sport.

Rugby fans can get their tickets from midday priced at £10 for U18s, £25 for adults and £50 for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) via WRU.CO.UK at Ticketmaster (08442 777 888) or Ticketline UK (02920 230130).

The event, launched jointly by the Welsh Rugby Union and Regional Rugby Wales, will bring the Blues and Dragons RaboDirect Pro12 ‘home’ games against their regional rivals to the iconic stadium for the next four seasons.

Season ticket holders for the Blues and Dragons will be given free entry to the Millennium Stadium for the annual rugby extravaganza.

The WRU has promised a carnival atmosphere for the unique event with details of a full spectrum of match day entertainment coming soon, while almost 1,000 fans have already pre-registered to book their places at the iconic venue.

“Tickets for the Millennium Stadium’s inaugural double-header derby day are on sale now and fans will get to see two regional rugby derby matches, played back-to-back, all on just one attractively priced ticket,” said Gerry Toms, Stadium Manager.

“The event promises to be a fantastic festival of rugby entertainment and we hope all fans will wear their regional colours and support their teams in their droves at the first event on Saturday 30 March.”

As well as WRU’s official ticketing outlets WRU.CO.UK, Ticketmaster and Ticketline UK tickets will be available from the four regions in coming weeks; details to be announced in due course. All season ticket and box holders from the Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons will be allocated prime reserved seats at the Millennium Stadium please contact the WRU in the first instance.

On behalf of the four regions, Stuart Gallacher, Chief Executive of Regional Rugby Wales, said:“We’re delighted to be working with the Welsh Rugby Union to bring a new derby day to Wales’ national stadium, which showcases the commitment and success of the four regions to producing and supporting so many talented players in Wales.”

Cardiff International White Water Wins National Award

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 13, 2012

Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) has won the ‘Facility of the Year’ award from Canoe and Kayak UK, Britain’s leading canoe magazine.

CIWW topped the chart, beating other high profile venues including the ‘Lee Valley White Water Centre’ that was a host venue at the London 2012 Olympics.

The judges commentated that they were “consistently impressed with how paddler-friendly the running and organisation of CIWW is…and paddlers always feel welcomed by the friendly and enthusiastic staff. CIWW is one of the country’s best venues and a deserving winner of the CKUK Facility of the Year.”

Cabinet Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Huw Thomas said “The on-demand white water course is an exceptional facility for paddlers, and it provides a variety of great courses that can be enjoyed by different age groups, from beginners through to elite.

“Events such as the 2012 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup, which saw Olympic silver medallists David Florence and Richard Hounslow emerge victorious, have also helped CIWW firmly establish itself as a world class venue for paddle sports.”

He added: “”This award also shows what a great asset the staff are to the centre and how their commitment helps provide a first class service to those using the facility, I would like to personally congratulate them on this achievement."

The venue is open all year around and provides a variety of exciting courses from Canoe and Kayaking to Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Visitors can also enjoy adrenaline fuelled white water rafting sessions.

It also provides a variety of packages from hen and stag parties to corporate and team building days.

In Spring 2013 CIWW will open an indoor simulated surf machine, which will add further to the visitor experience. Suitable for all abilities from board sport enthusiasts to complete beginners the machine will provide everyone in the capital the chance to ‘hit the surf’ in the city.

The new machine in Cardiff will be one of only a handful of machines that offers a double-lane surfing experience which means that, meaning groups of friends and family can take the plunge together.

Cardiff clubs sweep the board in disability sport accreditation

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 10, 2012

Fifteen clubs in Cardiff have recently been awarded the ‘insport’ accreditation by Disability Sport Wales.

Rebounders Trampolining Club, Celts Wheelchair Basketball Club and The Huskies Sledge Ice Hockey Club are amongst the clubs who have been awarded the certificate which recognises their commitment to inclusion and providing sporting opportunities for disabled people.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “It is fantastic news that so many disability sports clubs in Cardiff have been recognised with this accreditation and it demonstrates how much diversity of disability sports provision we have across the city.

“As we all enjoy the excitement surrounding the London 2012 Paralympic Games it is vital that we ensure the next generation of the athletes has the opportunities to go for gold which is why it so important that grass-roots disability sport is available to children and young people so they go on to continue stay active into adult hood.

“ We have put a strong emphasis on disability sport and have a dedicated development officer in our Sport Cardiff team, we also organise the annual Wheelchair Sport Spectacular which attracts over 500 participants and encourages them to try out and join disability sports clubs; this is now the biggest wheelchair sports event in the UK.”

The ‘insport’ club accreditation has four levels, from Ribbon through to Gold. All of the clubs have to meet a set criteria to gain the accreditation and whilst the majority have achieved the ribbon level, some of them attained higher awards.

At present, 13 clubs in Cardiff have reached the Ribbon Award with Rebounders Trampolining Club going on to gain Bronze, and Celts Wheelchair Basketball Club, the second club in the whole of Wales to be honoured with Silver level.

The Huskies Sledge Ice Hockey Club was the first club in the Welsh Capital to gain ‘insport’ Ribbon, and the most recent was Cardiff Disability Aquatics Club.

This initiative included in the One Wales program, part of the Welsh Government’s strategy, is run by Disability Sport Wales (DSW) which is recognised by the Welsh Government as its lead organisation for the development of sport and physical activities for the local community.

Clubs have to demonstrate that they provide a safe and supportive environment by showing evidence of Coaches Qualifications, CRB checks, Risk Assessments etc.

Any mainstream or disability specific sports club in Cardiff can work towards gaining the accreditation and will be supported through the process by the Sport.Cardiff.

For more information please contact Disability Sports Development Officer Jo Coates-McGrath: jcoatesmcgrath@cardiff.gov.uk or 029 2087 3935.

Teen wing sensation Robinson signs for Blues

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 2, 2012

Cardiff Blues have confirmed that teenage winger Harry Robinson has signed a senior contract with the region.

Robinson, 19, impressed Welsh selectors and was called up to the Wales 35 man senior squad for the training camp in Poland prior to the 2012 Six Nations Championship. He made a try-scoring debut for his country in June, in the test against the Barbarians.

In 2010/11 he won the Cardiff Blues Academy Player of the Year Award having had an outstanding season and became the youngest ever player to represent the Cardiff Blues, when, aged 17 years and nine months, he lined up against the Ospreys in the LV= Cup.

Speaking of the signing Robinson said,

“I’m really pleased to get to stick around for a few years.”

“It was an easy decision to make and I took the offer with both hands.”

“This is the best rugby environment for me to be in and I’ve got a good group of friends here also, so I’m excited to be here.”

“It does feel like a fresh start with Phil coming in and all the boys who are here feel it’s a good environment to be in.”

“It was a bit of whirlwind last season for me but things have sunk in now but now it’s a new season and I’m just putting my head down and working hard.”

“My ambition is to establish myself in the Blues team but competition is going to be tough with the quality back three players we have in the squad at the moment.”

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WELSH RUGBY NEWS: Cardiff Blues name side for RaboDirect opener

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 31, 2012

Cardiff Blues kick off their RaboDirect campaign against Connacht in Galway this Saturday

Something has to give in the west of Ireland as both Connacht and Cardiff Blues have begun with an opening weekend victory for the past two seasons.

The Blues have a good record against the Irish province, having only lost once to them since 2005: 18-16 at the Galway Sportsground on 18 September 2009.

Connacht, however, achieved their highest tournament finishing position last season (8th), and won three of their last four games and have lost only one of their last six matches at the Sportsground: 16-20 to Munster in March.

Speaking ahead of the match Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, Phil Davies said,

“We are looking forward to the start of the season, after a pretty gruelling pre season in many ways, the players have worked very hard to be fair to them.”

“The fitness standards that are needed for regional rugby are high and the players have all worked to achieve that standard.”

“Connacht are a pretty solid team and Dan Parks is now there.”

“I’m not sure if Dan is playing as he has suffered an injury but they have a pretty-workmen-like team and I have had experience myself over there with the Scarlets.”

“So I know how tough they are there and we are expecting a tough game.”

“A lot of work has been carried out over the summer to improve all our team system and hopefully that focus will be there Saturday and then there for the next 21 games after that.”

“We have about nine players out injured now with Czekaj added to the list.”

“Rhys Patchell is out injured with a bang on the shoulder from last week against Bath.”

“He has done exceptionally well for a young man and Jason Tovey has been unwell all week.”

“Michael Paterson is out with a shoulder injury and Scott Andrews is out with a knee injury but should be back next week .”

“We are also missing Ryan Harford, Sam Hobbs and Cooper-Woodlley from the front row.”

“Dafydd Hewitt is also out injured for this week but he is back training and should be ok for next week.”

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