Weightlifting Wales is governed by a board of directors, a mixture of director and membership-appointed individuals, who work together to drive the organisation forwards.
The board members also work with sub-groups, lending their expertise to discussions surrounding governance, finance, performance, development, equality and safeguarding.
Jo Calvino, brings a wealth of experience to the board, not only as an International athlete for over 20 years but most recently Jo delivered one of the most successful international events in weightlifting in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as the Weightlifting & Para Powerlifting Competition Manager. Jo is also an IWF Catergory 1 Technical Official but also built an established career in Aquatics and the sports charitable sector, within talent, development, education and events. Jo's commented on her appointment: ' I am very much looking forward to supporting Welsh Weightlifting to build and develop the sport to service its members positively and promote good governance'.
‘I am honoured to be elected by my fellow board members to lead as Chair of Welsh Weightlifting. I would like to thank Darren Rogers for his service and commitment to driving positive change in the organisation. I am keen to continue the good work and ensuring we continue to develop and grow as a small organisation and fulfil our strategic objectives. Whilst there remains uncertainty surrounding the Commonwealth Games in 2026, our goal is to think ahead and create opportunities to support the development of our performance pathways and nurture talent in Wales. Ensuring we continue to maintain high standards of good governance and sporting systems working with our key stakeholders and staff to fulfil our goals.
I hope my experience as an international athlete, coach, technical official, sports administrator & event manager will serve the members of the board and Weightlifting Wales. I look forward to settling into the role and working with our staff and board to address current agendas and identify future opportunities.’
Email: chair@weightlifting.wales
My name is Catrin Jones and I have 10 years of experience of competing on the Weightlifting international stage.
I am excited to be Athlete Representative and will fulfil this position to the best of my abilities with the hope that all athletes feel that their voices are being heard and acknowledged.
Email: athlete@weightlifting.wales
‘Sport has always been a huge part of life, and after losing both my legs after a train accident at the age of 9 it became my main driver for to success and acceptance, and to prove to myself and others that no matter what life throws at you there is always a way through with the right mind set and outlook.
During my sporting career I had many highs and lows, from winning gold medals at major games, and breaking world records, to suffering almost career ending injuries and failures at Paralympics Games; I feel all these experiences allows me to best prepare the athletes I work with in current role within Disability Sport Wales as their Performance Pathway Senior Officer.
I am extremely excited to be a part of the board for Weightlifting Wales, I feel that with this appointment I can give back to the organisation after they gave me a fantastic opportunity to put on the red jersey of Wales and compete at my first Commonwealth Games in 2018. I want to help the organisation grow and increase opportunities for Disabled athletes to compete in this fantastic sport which will hopefully lead to more Welsh athletes achieve their goals with sport."
2006 Winter Paralympic Games Turin (Ice sledge Hockey)
2008 Summer Paralympic Games Beijing (Athletics – 4th Javelin)
2011 IPC Athletics World Championships ( Gold F57 Javelin)
2011 F57 Javelin world record holder
2012 Summer Paralympic Games London (Athletics)
2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Coast (Para Powerlifting)
After a Rugby and Athletics career, Ceri started to work in sport development working to create sporting opportunities in selected communities. Moving back to Wales in 1991 to work with the then Sports Council for Wales as a development office working with NGBs. This included Welsh Weightlifting. Having spent some time out of sport working with The Heritage Lottery Fund and The Princes Trust, Ceri realised that sport is the best industry to work in and went to work with The Amateur Swimming Association, managing the English Regions.
For the last 15 years, Ceri has have lectured and conducted research at University of Birmingham and currently University of Gloucestershire. Ceri specialises in Sports Politics. His research has focused on doping, publishing a number of papers.
Ceri has two children, both of whom have represented Wales in their respective sports.
Ross has 10 years of experience in the fitness industry and has co-owned a Crossfit facility in South Wales for the past 8 years alongside his day job as an electrician. During those 8 years, Ross has coached athletes from over 20 different sporting backgrounds, many of who have gone on to claim medals for their respective sports. Ross specialises in coaching Olympic Weight Lifting and founded SA1 Olympic Weightlifting Academy, a top Olympic Weightlifting club in Wales. He has coached an abundance of novice lifters all the way up to Commonwealth athletes, and has also been on the Weightlifting Wales coaching team at several international competitions.
Outside of Geology and his work as an Environmental Consultant, Filip has been involved in S&C training for the best part of 10 years.
Starting with rugby and then 6 years dedicated to Olympic Weightlifting. Filip has represented both Wales and GB on the platform, served as president of his University Barbell Club and gained experience as a competitor, coach and technical official.
“My ambitions as a director are to help others gain as much from weightlifting as I have, to attract newcomers to the sport, develop those already involved and to help the Governing Body provide the administration, support and mentoring that the athletes need and require.”
Sophie is a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at Bangor University and has a wealth of experience working in research and applied sport science, as well as participating in sport herself.
Sophie began weightlifting in 2017 progressing to competing at a national level in 2022, having played hockey competitively from the age of 11. Sophie is now secretary of Bangor University Weightlifting Club, as well as helping with coaching at the club and as a technical official for Welsh and British Weightlifting.
In her academic career, Sophie’s research focuses on supporting the female athlete, through which she assists sporting organisations, including Welsh Weightlifting, with managing female athlete health, in particular around the menstrual cycle. Aligning with this work, Sophie has a passion for increasing equality, diversity, and inclusivity, which is an area she hopes to contribute to through her role on the board.
"I am looking forward to supporting Welsh Weightlifting and their members to build the community, increase participation and support athletes at the highest level".
Yuk has a keen interest in weightlifting having discovered the sport through Crossfit in his late thirties. He then chose to focus solely on weightlifting and discovered the many benefits the sport has to offer for strength, fitness and mental health. He is keen to help to promote the weightlifting as something that is accessible to people of all ages, genders and abilities.
Yuk is a qualified barrister, having worked in various public bodies for over 20 years. He will provide a wealth of experience in governance, safeguarding and effective decision-making.
