By Jordan Jones
THE future of sport at the University of South Wales has taken a leap forward, with former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton headlining the launch of a new High Performance Sport programme.
Warburton, an honorary fellow of USW who skippered Wales to the 2012 Six Nations Grand Slam and led the Lions to series win in Australia in 2013, paid a visit to the programme launch, hosted by Professor Brendan Cropley, at the university’s prestigious Sport Park in Trefforest.
The focus of the programme is to enhance the student experience across the university by providing a high-performance environment for students that choose to study at USW whilst continuing to play sport at a high level.
Each high performance sport will have a dedicated team of high quality coaches and support staff who will work closely with the athletes to provide high quality support to allow athletes to achieve the highest possible standards
Warburton captivated a room of aspiring USW athletes and USW and Welsh Government representatives as he told stories of his success, outlining the reward of hard work and determination.
Warburton, now a respected rugby pundit and creator of the SW7 Academy, said: “USW is probably one of the premier training facilities in the whole of the Wales.
“It’s actually better than most of the professional environments I’ve visited, not just in Wales, but around the world.
“It’s a privilege to be associated with this university.”
Warburton is excited about the launch of USW’s high-performance program.
He added: “University systems are getting a lot better. I think this programme is an amazing springboard for young people.”
Alongside him, USW vice-chancellor Dr Ben Calvert laid out the importance and aspirations of the new high performance scheme.
He discussed the importance of the partnerships the university has formed with sporting bodies like the Football Association of Wales and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Dr Calvert said: “This programme aims to ensure that any student who wishes to pursue their ambition in sport alongside their academic studies has that opportunity – regardless of which subjects they study.”
As part of the programme the university has appointed performance managers for rugby union, football and netball.
Pontypridd RFC head coach Justin Burnell is heading up the rugby operation.
The former Cardiff Blues boss said: “This programme is designed to create more of a professional environment and also attract stronger athletes to USW.
“It’s a great advantage for youngsters coming to study here. A lot of the Pontypridd first team players study here, but because of the Premiership and their studies they haven’t got that time to do the BUCS rugby.”
However, BUCS sport is a key focus in this scheme. And Burnell hopes that bettering their BUCS rugby team level will entice those who play for Pontypridd, and study at USW, to also play BUCS rugby.
Andrew Whittington is the new football figurehead. He was the head of sports science at Cardiff City for five years and head of academy elite performance for a further two years.
The USW men’s team had a lot of success in the BUCS league prior to COVID-19, winning the UK title it in 2018 and 2016.
“That gives the university and the program a little bit of heritage and a little bit of attractiveness.” said Whittington.
But following COVID, both men’s and women’s teams have hit harder times in the BUCS competitions.
Whittington believes this programme can reinvigorate both areas.
He added: “Part of my role is to rebuild and start to challenge nationally across men’s and women’s pathways.
“It’s a case of growing our exciting programme and making it a positive experience for all.
“A number of our football alumni play in the Welsh Premier League.”
Like Burnell, Whittington attributed part of USW’s footballing success to their partnership with Pontypridd United, an ambitious go-ahead club who are now a Cymru Premier outfit.
Celtic dragons and Wales international Phillipa Yarranton is heading up the concerted drive to strengthen USW netball .
Yarranton is aiming to further motivate her students, and enable them to thrive.
“One of my main aspirations for the program is to create that culture of high performance, something they’ve not ever had before,” she said.
“I think that’s something I really want to embed within the netball academy.”
Welsh Government deputy minister for arts and sport, Dawn Bowden, also attended the event and gave her endorsement of the programme.
“The current and future students will reap the benefits of the expertise and knowledge” she said.