Established in September 2001 the Triathlon Academy in Neath Port Talbot was the first of it's kind in Great Britain. The Neath Port Talbot College is a centre of excellence for local sportsmen and women wishing to pursue a career in sport at the highest levels. During the three years that the Academy ran, it produced national champions, Welsh and British internationals as well as producing the winning senior British Aquathlon Champion team. Below is a short history of the Academy. 

2001/2

6 Students turned up to enrol in the Academy at the start of term, these were soon joined by Steve, Chris & Phil of the cross country team. The first multi-sport competition in which the Academy took part was the Llanelli Duathlon (Welsh Champs) in March 2002. 

Ffion Davies became the Academy's first champion winning the Welsh Junior title on her first duathlon outing. An outstanding first season for Adrian finished with him winning the Llanelli Aquathlon.   

Triathlon Academy - Athlete of the Year - Ffion Davies

College Champions - Male, Adrian Edwards - Female, Ffion Davies 

First team photo - Nick Thomas, Geraint Davies, Louisa Scott, Ffion Davies, Kristian Archer, Adrian Edwards

Academy Members

2001/2

Kristian Archer

Ffion Davies

Geraint Davies

Steve Davies

Adrian Edwards

Chris Morris

Louisa Scott

Nick Thomas

Phil Thomas

Staff

Dai Richards

A winter of cross country and swim training saw the squad in tip top condition come the triathlon season in March. Sponsorship was gained from High Five by Louisa. Early season victories for Ffion at the Dyfi Dash and Rhondda paved the way for her to win the junior section in the Pembrokeshire Standard Distance triathlon, her outstanding performance earning her selection for Wales later that season. Likewise for Adrian, selection for the GB Age group team followed a great effort at the Fishguard based race, this followed his duathlon selection for Wales in the Home Nations Championship. Academy Aces team of Natasha, James & Natalie won the relay at this event. In this season Ricky, James, Natalie & Louisa all competed in their first full triathlons. Towards the end of the 2003 season a team from the college representing Multisport Racing Club entered the British Aquathlon Championships in Llanelli, this was the first ever running of the event. The team of Adrian Edwards (Academy Present), Aled Thomas (Academy Future) and Dai Richards (Academy Staff) finished first to become the first ever British Aquathlon Champions, a great day for the college. 

Triathlon Academy - Athlete of the Year - Adrian Edwards

College Sportswoman of the Year - Louisa Scott

College Champions - Male, Adrian Edwards - Female, Ffion Davies 

High Five Sponship - (back row) Richard Jones (WTA), Ffion Davies, Adrian Edwards, James Parfitt, Ricky Langdon, Natalie Lawrence, Mike Loyns (Welsh Champion)

(front row) Sandra Leyman, Stuart Henderson, Natasha Harry

Academy Members

2002/3

Ffion Davies

Adrian Edwards

Natasha Harry

Stuart Henderson

Ricky Langdon

Natalie Lawrence

Sandra Leyman

James Parfitt

Louisa Scott

Staff

Dai Richards

November 2003 saw Adrian Edwards compete for GB in the World Champs in New Zealand. In February 2004 the Academy's first Training Camp took place in Lanzarote. 6 students travelled to the Canary Isles for sea, sun, speed & stamina. 

Lanzarote Training Camp: Rachel Carney, James Layzell, Sandra Leyman, Dai Richards, Sian Walker, James Parfitt, Kayleigh Moses

Academy Members

2003/4

Rachel Carney

Adrian Edwards

Natasha Harry

Adrienne Knight

Ricky Langdon

Natalie Lawrence

James Layzell

Sandra Leyman

Kayleigh Moses

James Parfitt

Sian Walker

Staff

Dai Richards

Running in conjunction with the college Academy was a development programme designed to prepare athletes for future academy selection. The success of this programme was outlined when in the year 2004, 75% of Welsh junior champions were part of this programme. The Academy was also successful in working together with Llangatwg Comprehensive School to form an after school triathlon club, again, the first in Wales. 

Lack of funding saw my involvement with the Academy end in the Spring term 2004 !

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