Author: Rhys Gregory

This year, surfing will be part of the Olympic Games for only the second time. University of South Wales (USW) graduate, Dr Joanna Parsonage, is the Research and Innovation Manager at Surfing Australia and her role is integral to the success of the Australian team as they prepare to compete. Having studied for her postgraduate degree in Sports, Health and Exercise Science at USW (then known as the University of Glamorgan), Joanna later emigrated to Australia to embark on a PhD opportunity with Surfing Australia that would end up changing her life. At USW, Joanna’s research centred on strength and…

While Welsh football may have its own league, the four biggest clubs all play in the English Football League. Swansea City and Cardiff City are both in the Championship once again next season. One league down you’ll find Wrexham who will play in League One, and Newport County in the bottom tier of the English Football League in League 2. Swansea City The Swans were glad to see the end of the 2023/24 season. After losing manager Russell Martin to Southampton in June 2023, Michael Duff was replaced mid season by Luke Williams. Williams managed 22 games where he won…

Cybercrime has come to be a definitive concern in modern life, impacting as many as 22% of businesses each twelve months as much of our lives inevitably move from the real world to the digital. Social connections, commerce, groceries and more are conducted in online spaces, using online banking and necessitating the presence of personal information on the internet. Cybercrime has hence become simpler, more profitable and less risky for modern criminals – not to mention global in scope. Cybercrime is rife, from small-scale theft of social media accounts to large-scale ransomware hacks that impact vital public services – but…

A fast-growing Welsh food distribution company is to open a new Shropshire depot as it plans its expansion into England’s West Midlands. A chance meeting between David Cattrall, Managing Director of Harlech Foodservice, and Matthew Farrall, who heads major North-Wales-based haulier Farrall’s has led to the deal. It will see Harlech, founded in 1972 by Colin and Gill Foskett, from Wellington, in Shropshire, operate in an area of Farrall’s new site in Telford in Shropshire and give them a foothold in an area they have identified as ripe for growth. It is part of an ambitious expansion programme which has…

Cardiff music fans have been going nuts for tickets to catch the Liverpool alternative rock act, forcing organisers to upgrade the show to the 1,000 capacity Tramshed. Cardiff’s premiere live music venue, Tramshed, today announces it will stage the Merseyside alternative rock band, The Mysterines on Thursday 13th February 2025. Originally announced for the 350-capacity Cardiff venue, The Globe, organisers at TEG Venues were forced to upgrade the show to its 1,000 capacity Tramshed venue after being overwhelmed with demand from Welsh fans desperate to catch this fast rising act live. Formed in Liverpool, The Mysterines – frontwoman Lia Metcalfe,…

Global gaming and esports brand GIANTX (GX) is proud to announce the acquisition of iTero Gaming, a Welsh start-up specialising in AI coaching solutions for competitive gamers.  The acquisition represents a significant milestone for the gaming and technology industry, highlighting the growing integration of AI in esports. With a focus on the title League of Legends, the multi-million deal represents the company’s ongoing commitment to the global esports community through delivering precise, individualised coaching for gamers looking to enhance their competitive performance. Founder of iTero, Jack Joseph Williams, has also become the esports organisation’s new Head of Gaming Technology following…

A Cardiff based hospitality group, Breaking Brands, has secured funding from Lloyds Bank, enabling the fast-growing Group to open its latest Coyote Ugly theme bar in, Bristol.    The group boasts a number of well renowned brands including Jack Murphys, Coyote Ugly, Temple Bar and One Eyed Jacks, as well as having two new concepts in the pipeline.   With plans to roll out, all brands, out across the UK the group is actively seeking new sites! Breaking Brands Owner, Steve Lewis, said: “We are really excited about opening in Bristol, the Coyote brand appeals to all and we hope it will…

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has confirmed that Rodney Parade will host the 2025 JD Welsh Cup Final and Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final.  It will be the second consecutive year that Wales’ two most prestigious cup competitions will culminate in Newport, after Connah’s Quay Nomads and Cardiff City lifted the respective trophies there last season. Last season’s Bute Energy Welsh Cup final between Cardiff City and Wrexham at Rodney Parade attracted a crowd of 1,734 – a record attendance for the competition. This season, the Bute Energy Welsh Cup final will take place on Sunday 27 April, before…

As the summer holidays are in full swing, families are on the lookout for exciting adventures that everyone can enjoy. The Dramatic Heart of Wales, Neath Port Talbot, has a jam-packed summer of family fun for all ages – perfect for music lovers, adrenaline enthusiasts and even furry friends. Music Madness The Dramatic Heart of Wales is gearing up for an exciting summer of music. Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store: 27th July: Pink Floyd Tribute at The Princess Royal Theatre 15th – 18th August: Gwyl Pontardawe Festival 23rd August: The Magic of Motown at The Princess Royal Theatre…

A man has been jailed for six years for sexually assaulting two children. Alan Drew, of Cwrt Sefton, Old Colwyn appeared before Caernarfon Crown Court for sentence yesterday, (Thursday, July 25th) after being convicted of 11 offences by a jury. They included sexual activity with a child, sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, voyeurism and making indecent images of a child. The 50-year-old committed the offences against two young girls over a period of time between January 2019 and June 2021. An investigation was launched in June 2021 after one of the victims…