Organisational Progress

2025 has been a busy year both on and off the platform, in which we are starting to see the hard work of the staff and board take shape to build a stronger future.

We started the year with a full review of our operational delivery and creating sustainable systems for the long term, starting with a new staffing structure implemented over the summer and a new strategic plan finalized and launching in January 2026. The purpose of the structure is to ensure the team’s roles and responsibilities align to the areas of responsibility within the strategy with a much clearer focus achieving our objectives.  The board and team will continue to work collaboratively in our ambitions to build a stronger nation.

Events

Our events programme has seen an increase in entries throughout the year, which is a positive reflection of the increase in clubs and athletes. We continue to explore and expand our host venues and competitive opportunities across Wales working with clubs, academies and local authorities to secure venues to fulfil the needs and requirements for both weightlifting and para powerlifting.

Performance

On the platform we have seen some great success throughout the year in both sports, and at all age groups from youth through to masters,  with a few athletes being selected for Great Britain in both Para Powerlifting & Weightlifting, whilst several others gaining their first international call up for Wales, a testament of the hard work to athletes and coaches.

We have managed to send several development teams to international events to support both coach & athlete development, an integral part of building a stronger nation and gaining valuable experience for their own performance.

The performance team continue to build and develop a pathway for athletes, with the regional and development squads seeing great success through athlete performances over the past 12months: see the AGM minutes for performance report delivered by the Performance Pathway Manager. 

Commonwealth Games 2026

With the Commonwealth Games starting on the horizon, qualification still has it’s challenges but also opportunities continue for athletes to gain selection, we continue to work closely with the key stakeholders throughout the process to ensure we give those athletes in contention the best opportunity possible and within our means.  We have also welcomed the confirmation of both the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta, which will include weightlifting for the first time and the 2030 Commonwealth Games, making its return to India with a full programme of 15-17 sports which will be confirmed in the future. This is reassuring for the future of the Games but also for the motivation & incentives for our athletes.

Clubs and Funding Initiatives

The hard work and valuable contributions across the clubs have seen great success with several clubs, coaches and athletes securing funding for initiatives that drive positive change and social impact through the communities in Wales along with several award winners both local and national awards. I am delighted to confirm through the hard work of our staff we have also secured funding for initiatives across Wales, and we continue to explore those opportunities that can support our objectives and ambitions.  This work is essential for bringing in additional income for our work in a sector where investment and financial support is on the decline.

Governance and Compliance

This year has been vital in maintaining good governance and compliance with Sport Wales, UK Anti-Doping and other key stakeholders, through the governance implementation plans and frameworks required to maintain standards of good practice and investment. 

New Strategy 2026

As we look forward to 2026, I am excited for the launch of our new strategic plan and to progress the good work and development made this year to serve us into a Games year, the opportunity to showcase our best athletes on the Commonwealth stage and inspire the next generation of lifters and a nation to be stronger together.