Event Information Pack
Overview
Weightlifting Wales are excited to be delivering the summer edition of the Home Nations Open competition, which is confirmed to take place across the weekend of the 13th and 14th June in Llanelli. Please note that the schedule cannot be confirmed until the entries have closed. Depending on the number of entries, there is a chance that the event will be held on the Saturday only. Likewise, if we have a high number of entries, the event will be split over two days.
Entries for the competition are OPEN NOW on the Sport 80 competitions page, and will close at midnight on Sunday 17th May.
British Weight Lifting | Sport:80
Remember that our 'Home Nations Open' events CAN be entered by any British/Irish Weightlifting member (NOT inclusive to just Welsh athletes), and there are NO qualifying standards in order to enter the competition.
Please contact for admin@weightlifting.wales for any questions.
Event Details
DATE:
Saturday 13th - Sunday 14th June
LOCATION:
Llanelli Weightlifting Academy
VENUE ADDRESS:
Coleg Sir Gar College,
Graig Campus,
Sandy Road,
Llanelli,
Carmarthenshire,
SA15 4DN
Venue Car Park location
Travelling to the venue
Travelling by Car/Car Parking
The main access road to the Coleg Sir Gar college connects to Sandy Road, which can be accessed from Pembrey Road to the east, and Pwll road to the west.
Typing in Coleg Sir Gar on google maps/navigation applications will take you to directions of the main entrance to the Graig Campus. Upon entering you can take a first right which will take you in to the main car park area as indicated on the above map locator.
There is also vehicular access further along the road of the main car park and provides drop off/pick up area facilities, as well as some further additional parking. The main pedestrian entrance to the venue can be found by walking round the back of the main building to where the sports complex and Llanelli Weightlifting Academy gym can be found.
Free parking is available at the venue. The car park is a wheelchair-accessible car park that provides designated accessible car parking spaces, alongside a wheelchair-accessible entrance to the venue itself.
Train:
Llanelli Railway Station is located approximately 1.8 miles from the competition venue at Llanelli Weightlifting Academy. The station is considered to be a short taxi drive away (circa 6-10 minutes), with up to a 40 minute walk away and a distance also suitable for walking (c.10 mins).
Llanelli Railway Station is operated by Transport for Wales (TfW), with around a pattern of 4-5 trains daily travelling from the South West of Wales in Milford Haven and Fishguard, as well as along the line the other way east / northwards from Manchester Piccadilly direct to Llanelli. Other daily direct trains to Llanelli from South Wales can be made from Cardiff, Swansea, Carmarthen, and Llandovery. Direct trains from up north down to Llanelli can be taken from Shrewsbury or Manchester. For a full list of train times and to purchase tickets, see the Transport for Wales website.
Weigh-Ins
All weigh-ins will take place at the venue and athletes will be directed from the reception desk to the weigh in room. Competing athletes will need to take some form of identification with them when they go to weigh-in, so the Officials can verify everyone.
U12's-U17's info:
- Under 12's will not have their weight taken during this process 2hrs prior to their competition, but will attend to provide their entry weights and confirm competition details.
- Under 13's - Under 17's who weigh above or below their entered weight category will lift in the group they have been scheduled to lift in, but their results will be put into the weight category that they fall into during the weigh in, which may be later on during the day. WW do not recommend that anyone under the age of 18 loses weight to compete in WW events.
Lifters who are aged 18+ who do not fall within their selected entry category during weigh in are able to lift as a guest in the competition, but will not be placed in the competition results.
Weight class changes can be made up to 3 days prior to the competition by directly contacting admin@weightlifting.wales.
Tips for smooth a weigh in process:
- Arrive at your weigh-in at the start time indicated in the schedule, weigh-in lasts for 1 hour only. Missing weigh-in will mean you are unable to lift in the competition.
- Have to hand your photo ID e.g. passport / drivers license (for youth lifters who do not have either, a birth certificate will be accepted, if you do not have this, please contact WW ahead of the competition)
- Your competition lifting suit/attire must be worn when you step onto the scales. Please enter the weigh in room wearing this already (can be underneath other layers, which can then be removed before stepping onto the scales)*
- A guardian if you are under the age of 18 is advised
- Your opening attempts for the Snatch and Clean and Jerk (coach can make changes once your competition starts)
*250grams (0.25kg) are deducted from the lifter’s weight where they weigh above the maximum limit for their selected weight category, provided he/she is wearing the competition costume.
Note on U12 Entries via Sport80:
The Sport80 entry system, managed by British Weight Lifting, has not yet been updated for these regulations. U12 lifters should select any bodyweight category when entering online - this will be disregarded once entries close.
Accreditation
- Only coaches with a current BWL licence will be able to collect a coach accreditation (wristband) and any coach found passing their accreditation to another person will have their accreditation withdrawn and may be subject to further action after the competition. Any person found in the warm-up area without an athlete accreditation or coach wristband will be asked to leave the area immediately.
- Coaches must have a valid BWL coach license, DBS and safeguarding certificate in place. If any of these requirements are missing or have expired, you will not be able to coach in this event. Coaches are to collect their coaching wristband from Jake Eastwood at the Technical Desk on arrival to the venue, and should be prepared to show their valid BWL license on request.
- Technical Officials should obtain their wristbands from the Technical Desk on arrival to the venue.
Competition Rules
In Weightlifting and Para-Powerlifting, you are permitted to use certain types of support and wear specific accessories of clothing during the competition. You should check the equipment you have is legal in weightlifting before your competition, as the Technical Controller may check this and tell you that your equipment is not allowed.
For more information on what type of clothing is permitted, as well as the full run down of the Technical Rules set by the International Weightlifting Federation and World Para Powerlifting, find the links below:
International Weightlifting Federation Technical Rules
World Para Powerlifting Technical Rules
On competition day, lifters have three attempts in the Snatch, and three in the Clean and Jerk. A lifter's best attempts in each discipline are combined to give a total, on which the ranking of the competition is based. If two lifters reach the same total, then the lifter who achieved this first in the competition will be the winner.
The referees will signal to the lifter when to put the bar down when they are satisfied the lift is complete and they will signal using a light system whether the lift was a 'good' or a 'no' lift. If a lifter receives two or more white lights, this is a 'good lift', if the lifter receives two or more red lifts, this is a 'no lift'.
Please remember the `foot touching the bar' rule: A no lift will be given if an individual uses his/her foot to move the bar before the attempt or puts their foot on the bar or plates before the attempt. The technical official must press the red button to indicate a no lift. If the barbell is touched with a foot after a successful attempt the referees’ decision will not be reversed, however a warning will be given to the lifter. If the lifter repeats this action on a subsequent lift, the lift will be a No Lift.
Anti-Doping
This is a UK Anti-Doping sanctioned event. As such, UKAD can be present during the competition day and select lifters for anti-doping testing.
For more information on the changes within the 2026 World Anti-Doping Code, as well as the full prohibited, find the relevant link below to the area on the UKAD website.
https://www.ukad.org.uk/athletes/whats-banned-sport-prohibited-list
Photography
There will often be a WW staff member or external photographer at events taking photos and videos for promotional and advertising purposes. These may be used on our social media channels, our website, and on posters, to showcase our sport.
Grip and Rip will also be there across both days capturing everyone's lifts. These will be available to purchase on their website at:
OR head to @gripandrip.media on Instagram to check out their content ahead of the event weekend.
If you decide on the day of competition that you do not want photos to be taken of you/your child, you must inform a member of the Weightlifting Wales team so he/she may inform the photographer.
Below is a guide on photography and video at events, as well as the attached infographic for advice on spectator photography.
Photography Guidelines
Medical
There will be a paramedic team on site throughout the competition's duration.
Safeguarding
Our designated safeguarding lead is Simon Roach, who will on site in the venue during the whole day. If you suspect a safeguarding concern, please contact Simon Roach at simon.roach@weightlifting.wales , or should be reported to the front desk area who will communicate out for Simon.
IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY - Home Nations Open (Summer)
