Welsh Athletics took the decision this week to furlough a number of staff members – the decision, which was approved by the Board, was based on the inability for those staff to undertake their roles in a meaningful way. The financial factors was also a strong consideration, and we continue to explore ways of reducing our expenditure to ensure the minimal amount of impact on the medium and long term finances of Welsh Athletics.
All staff members have been incredibly professional during this very difficult period, and I want to put on record my thanks to them all for their hard work during this period.
For info, these are the staff members being furloughed and who will be backfilling these roles in the short term;
Furloughed staff | Department area | New point of contact |
Sarah Powell | Run Wales Social Running Programme | Gareth Hall – 07864 969631 – Gareth.hall@runwales.org.uk |
Eva Brewer | ||
Sharon Leech | ||
Barry Edwards | Regional Development Officers | Chris Moss – 07813 605785 – chris.moss@welshathletics.org / Jacqueline Brace – 07773 468395 – Jacqueline.brace@welshathletics.org |
Tom Cole | ||
Andrew Jenkins | ||
Eva Brewer | ||
Steve Jones (Welsh Schools Support Officer) | ||
Tom Marley | Coach Education | Zoe Holloway – 02920 649849 – zoe.holloway@welshathletics.org / Zoe Brown – 07548 160018 – zoe.brown@welshathletics.org |
Darran Williams | Competition | Rhiannon Linington Payne – 07960 995780 – rhiannon@welshathletics.org |
Please note that Steve Jones will continue in his role as compliance officer.
Due to the way the roles are funded, we are not permitted to furlough any staff member in the performance department.
Finally, we continue to update the guidance to members, updated competition calendar and member FAQ’s on our website.
Please let us know of any challenges your club/members are having at this time. Welsh Athletics are keen to ensure that they support clubs in the most appropriate manner during the lockdown period.
Kind Regards
James WilliamsInterim Chief Executive Officer |

It is with great sadness that we announced that Linda Cushing passed away on Tuesday 24th March at 18.59 at home. Lyn gave cancer a brave and strong fight.
The funeral is Monday 6th April at 11am. Unfortunately, only 10 family members will be attending.
Lyn’s Daughter Claire has asked that candles be lit at this time for “her Beautiful Mam”.
Claire has said “after all this madness has passed. The girls and I will be organising a Memorial and a celebration of her life. I will of course keep you all informed, as I know how many lives she touched and how loved she was.”
As Chair of East Wales, I echo the thoughts of Lyn’s club, Rhymney Valley, Lyn was passionate about our sport. She was inspiring, strong, caring, committed and supportive, to name just a few and wanted the best for everyone she came into contact with.
We are all absolutely devastated to have lost our amazing East Wales Track & Field Secretary, member of EWRAC and my own personal friend.
East Wales RAC send our condolences and love to Lyn’s family at this time.
Welsh Athletics Corona Virus impact – Update & Event Postponements
Athletics shares the same goals as everyone else – protecting everyone from the Corona Virus and saving the NHS. Please be smart, do not train in groups, respect the health guidelines, look out for each other, stay physically active, stay well #SaveTheNHS #Coronavirus.
Welsh Athletics & UKA are now advocating the suspension of all organised athletics activity. A growing number of Welsh Athletics Clubs are now putting restrictions on training sessions – List here.
Whilst these restrictions are in place we’ll be collating and looking to provide opportunities to Stay Safe but Stay Competitive
ALL WELSH ATHLETICS EVENTS ARE NOW POSTPONED UNTIL THE END OF APRIL
This includes a number of Welsh Representative Fixtures
MAJOR WELSH, UK, & INTERNATIONAL EVENT POSTPONEMENT STATEMENTS:
- Cardiff Bay 10k, ABP Newport Marathon, Welsh Castles Relays
- SIAB Schools Cross Country, 21st March
- Virgin London Marathon
- Great Welsh Marathon
- European 10,000m Cup and European Mountain Running Championships moved to 2021.
- European Athletics U18 Championships scheduled for 16-19 July in Rieti, Italy, will now not take place in 2020 – any new date will be communicated in due course.
- European Throwing Cup 2020, originally scheduled for 21-22 March in Portugal and earlier postponed, is now cancelled
- Tokyo 2020 Olympics postponed until 2021

Fantastic attitude from all 31 junior athletes from six different clubs who attended the first East Wales endurance regional training day for the 2019-2020 season.
Great training session in the morning, where athletes worked together in various groups to really pull each other along.
The conditioning and athlete lifestyle workshops in the afternoon introduced athletes and coaches to different aspects which will allow them to further their athletic development.
A really productive day and a great start to what promises to be a very successful program at developing our talented athletes and their coaches in East Wales.
Congratulations to all the athletes selected for the Track & Field Inter Regional Champs which will be held in Aberdare on Sunday 4th August. If you haven’t done so already please order your vest from the Ruggerbug website and let them know that you will need it for this date. Please note: there will be no vests available to purchase on the day.