Athlete Panel

What is the Athlete Panel?

The Sport Wales Athlete Panel has been set up by athletes, for athletes. We are here to represent the views of athletes across Welsh sport, and to be a place where you can share your views that will impact current and future experiences of developing and elite athletes.

What is our purpose?

The Athlete Panel aims to:

advocate for each sport to appoint an athlete representative.
be a safe space for athletes to connect with fellow athletes and provide an opportunity to provide mentoring services e.g. if you are going to your first major games.
be a space to share your current experiences so we can:
- act on commonalities that are highlighted in collaboration with Sport Wales and national governing bodies.
- help individuals with challenges they’re facing in their sports.

Meet our current panel members:

Bethan Davies

Race Walker from Cardiff

A British and Welsh Representative Athlete for over a decade, competing over the 10,000m, 20km and 35km Race Walk at numerous Major Championships.
The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 20km Race Walk Bronze Medallist.
Holder of multiple Welsh and British Race Walk records and bests from distances as short as a mile up to 35km.
An Athlete Panel and Team Wales Athletes Commission member.

Jordan Hart

Badminton player from Pembrokeshire.

Represented Wales and GB worldwide, reaching a career-high World ranking of 62.
Competed on the world stage in European, World Champions and Commonwealth Games.
British Champion & Welsh Senior Number 1 and 15 x Welsh Champion.

“I joined the Athlete Panel as I feel passionate about supporting athletes and creating thriving environments to ensure the future of Welsh sport and that Welsh athletes have positive experiences throughout their careers.”

Osian Dwyfor Jones

International hammer thrower from Caernarfon in North Wales.

Represented Wales at the Commonwealth Games in 2014, 2018 and 2022
Welsh Hammer Throw record holder
Retired from sport in 2023 and now works as a Community Pharmacist

"I joined the Athlete Panel to share my experiences as an athlete with the hope of delivering positive changes within Sport Wales and governing bodies to provide better outcomes for the next generation of athletes in Wales."

Alys Thomas

Olympic Swimmer from Swansea

International swimming career spanning 12+ years, including competing at 4x Commonwealth Games, 2x European Championships, 2x World Championships and 1x Olympic Games
Commonwealth Champion 200 Butterfly (2018)
Forced retirement from competitive career in 2022 due to injury so followed new path into coaching and athlete mentoring, and Sports Psychology MSc.
Currently working for Swim Wales as Performance Development Coach and Pathway Manager helping to develop and improve the link between development and performance swimming in Wales.

"I love being part of the Athlete Panel as it has given me a real platform for idea sharing, learning and development with like-minded individuals in other sports where we can have an impact and help reach athletes on the ground and help problem solve. I’m always looking for opportunities to use my experience and knowledge to give back and inspire, help or motivate the next generation or another athlete in any situations where they might need support."

Georgia Davies

Olympic Swimmer from Swansea

2 x Olympian - (London 2012 and Rio 2016)
World Championship medallist
Commonwealth champion and former Commonwealth record holder
European champion and former European record holder

“I joined the Athlete Panel because I think in order to achieve the top level in any sport, it really takes a village! I feel extremely fortunate to have had an incredible amount of support throughout my swimming career from a number of amazing people across different fields, who all contributed to making some of my most challenging goals a reality.

I would love to play even a small part in helping the next generation of Welsh athletes achieve their goals.”

Why do we need an Athlete Panel within Welsh sport?

We want every experience that an athlete receives to be one that helps them thrive. In order to do this, we need to learn from athletes who have experienced these environments. Having a space where athletes voices are heard is essential for creating positive environments that truly meets the needs of the athletes within them.

The Athlete Panel aims to empower athletes, improve their experiences within sport, and contribute to the development of sport in Wales as a whole. The Panel creates a space for athletes to have a voice in decision making, represent their perspectives and concerns, and advocate for athlete rights and their wellbeing within sport. It also creates a space for athletes to come together and connect through sharing experiences, challenges and successes.

Examples of athlete panel involvement:

So far, the panel has provided feedback on various projects with members of Sport Wales that impact on many athletes across the sport system. Some examples include:

The Athlete Panel has:

influenced how education on female athlete health and period is provided.
influenced the ways we gain insight on athlete environments
influenced content of Sport Wales infographics aimed at coaches.
fed back to Sport Wales about their approach to mental health
highlighted awareness around athlete needs, including safeguarding
encouraged sports and national governing bodies to elect an Athlete Representative

Want to become an athlete representative for your sport? Facing any issues or challenges within your sport? If we can support you through mentoring, offering top tips, or signposting, please get in touch.

Osian and Georgia speak Welsh and welcome correspondence yn Gymraeg.

Contact the Athlete Panel

Support for Athletes

The Sport Wales Institute is a team of professionals, from across lots of disciplines, working together to help Welsh athletes achieve success on the world stages - as well as in their lives outside sport.