WeLcoMe to
sPortingWaLes
it seems Welsh sporting success is like buses – after the remarkable highs of
2008, 2009 is determined not to be overshadowed. already we have seen
some teams top the achievements of last year and as ever we have tried to do
them justice in the pages of sporting Wales.

In rugby, the Six Nations may have fallen slightly short of last year’s Grand Slam but the Sevens won
Wales’s first Rugby World Cup and the Wales Women made history with their first Triple Crown built
on a victory over England after 22 years of trying.
in football there is the question we pose on the front cover about whether cardiff and swansea can
turn dreams into reality and reach the Premiership. In Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd we feature one
of the more interesting characters trying to turn hope into reality.
It is the start of the cricket season . . . and also the start of the less heralded baseball season. We look at
the achievements of Matthew Hopkins and they are pretty impressive.
We look at Welsh judo under the guidance of one of the sport’s greatest names, former world
champion Neil Adams. He is such a big name in the sport that black belt judo expert Vladimir Putin, also
the Russian Prime Minister, wants to meet him. If you want a bit of fun then look up Vladimir Putin and
judo on You Tube – there are some entertaining clips, it certainly makes a change from politicians kissing
babies!
While you are online, have a look at www.sportingwales.net . If you have not already subscribed
to the online version of this magazine then it is worth doing so. Although it is the most widely
distributed magazine in Wales, we know how quickly copies disappear from the venues where they
are left. That is great – exactly what the magazine is for – so subscribing online is one way of avoiding
disappointment.
Finally thanks to our advertisers – backing the highest quality sports magazine in Wales and with their
editor:
support it allows us to keep Sporting Wales free to you the readers. Thanks also for your support, we
hamish stuart
hope you enjoy the variety in our sixth edition.
art director:
Paul Bailey Hamish@sportingwales.com
Photography:
steve pope
advertising sales Manager:
Wayne McAuliffe
029 2049 6972
contributors:
staff and contributors Gary Baker
Roger Hughes
andrew weltch
richard thomas
simon grant
©Sportingwales 2009
paul williams
All rights reserved.
contributing Photographers:
Paul Seiser, LifeFirst
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted or recorded in any form or by any means without prior written permission
from the publisher.
Publisher:
While the publishers believe that all information contained in this publication was correct at the time of printing, they can accept no
e
ditors Message Sportingwales
liability for any inaccuracies that may appear.
Managing director:
steve pope
accounts Manager:
SW
John pope
contact: info@sportingwales.com
4
tel: 01633 410450
sportingwales
issue6twothousand&nine
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52