Sport Caerphilly Launch Elite Caerphilly Scheme

Sport Caerphilly launched their new scheme named Elite Caerphilly on Thursday 14 April, which aims to support the most talented athletes in the borough through training and opportunities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Elite Caerphilly scheme supports a range of athletes who are given bronze, silver or gold status depending on their achievements. A staggering 107 applications were received, with 56 budding young athletes being granted Elite Caerphilly status. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The bronze ambassadors involved within the scheme cover a vast range of sports including football, netball, long distance running and cricket. These athletes have all represented their region and are potential stars of the future in the field of sport. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Those who are selected for silver status as part of the Elite Caerphilly scheme have all represented Wales, covering a variety of sports including gymnastics, taekwondo, rugby, hockey, ice hockey and football. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The scheme also has a number of gold ambassadors who have all represented Wales or Great Britain in their respective sports. The ambassadors have a series of huge successes behind them and serve as fantastic role models to others within the Elite Caerphilly Scheme. The gold ambassadors include: – ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ellis Underwood, a Blackwood Comprehensive School pupil, currently swims for Newport County Swim Squad and has recently been selected onto the Swim Wales National Skills Squad, as well as forming part of Team Wales at the 2015 UK School Games. Ellis has also made the qualifying times for the 2016 British International Para-Swimming Championships, which also forms part of the GB Olympic trials for Rio. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Amy Day currently plays Scrum Half for the Wales women’s rugby team and has 59 caps for the Wales women’s senior team. She also represents the Newport Gwent Dragons at a regional level and is now working towards her third women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Lloyd Birt is currently a Welsh team karate member. Lloyd has also competed internationally, with his recent achievements including Vice World Karate Champion 2011 and 2013, 4 time world medallist and 3 time European medallist. He is also BKF British International Senior Champion and will be defending his title in May. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Kody Davis, a heavyweight boxer from Pontllanfraith is a podium potential athlete who also forms part of the Great British Boxing World Class programme, based in Sheffield. He is currently taking part in trials with the hope of competing in this year’s Olympic Games in Rio. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Nigel George, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services said: “The Elite Caerphilly scheme offers opportunities and training to athletes who have the potential to be real superstars in their fields. I look forward to seeing how the athletes progress as a result of the scheme”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​