As we settle from the excitement of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, we interviewed Rich Collins, who has a particularly unique job at Sport Wales.

A bit more about Rich's role...*

*Scroll to watch the interview

Finding where a role is needed

Rich joined us in March this year in the new position, World Class Programme Services Lead. This was introduced following a review of the Institute's World Class Programme athlete services, and looked into:

  • how we support athletes
  • how those services are coordinated
  • where we could improve the experience and consistency of support

The review, supported by the Digital & Services Team, highlighted a number of opportunities to strengthen these services, spanning clearer coordination of athlete support, greater consistency across Wales, and aligning closer to the needs and performance plans of athletes and their World Class Programmes (WCPs).

What are WCPs?

Athletes on World Class Programmes prepare to compete on the world stage and hopefully be selected for multi-sport events, like the European Games, Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Until then, they train full-time as members of a WCP and receive Athlete Performance Awards from UK Sport and the National Lottery.

Where Rich comes in

By introducing Rich's role, the Sport Science and Medicine teams who work directly with athletes now have a dedicated point of leadership and coordination.

Rich is helping us build stronger relationships with WCPs, Welsh governing bodies and our practitioners: clearly identifying athlete needs and making sure the support we provide is well planned and compliments the services available through their programme.

He is also using the review findings to hone the services, and making sure Welsh athletes, and athletes living or training in Wales, can access the right support at the right time to help them achieve their potential.

Why at Sport Wales?

Some WCPs cannot provide full sport science and medical support for athletes, which is where our services are needed. Rich coordinates these services around an athlete performance plan set by the WCP, working collaboratively with the programme to make sure the athletes receive the best possible support.

Find out more about Rich's role:

[VIDEO]