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Angela Miles – determined to help those with a disability take part in sport
Someone who is very involved in disability sport in Pembrokeshire is undoubtedly Angela Miles because she has the role of Disability Sports Development Officer with Pembrokeshire County Council and has done so much to promote the idea that people with disabilities can enjoy taking part in all kinds of sport. Angela started her role in February 2006 and works 21 hours a week in encouraging participation at clubs like Cleddau Warriors Football Club. In March 2008 she also became the first-ever Hockey Development Officer, a sport which is also close to her heart because she was a founder member of Fishguard and Goodwick Ladies’ Hockey Club. After a long time in the game she now coaches the club’s under 15s and under 18s and was proud of the fact she played alongside her daughter Michelle, who is now a police officer with the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary.
Strong campaigner – and hockey founder member
She was involved in campaigning for an artificial hockey pitch in Fishguard because she felt that such a facility was vital if the club was to encourage the youngsters in the town – so another proud moment was when Fishguard finally had its own ATP pitch and it is now proving of immense benefit to hockey players in the town. Angela has always been sports-minded from the time she was at Fishguard School and played hockey on the left wing, and was a founder member of Fishguard Ladies, where she played until recently but is still secretary and team coach. Ask her about performances and she would say that the firsts are holding their own.
Early involvement
Her initial involvement with disability came when she started as a learning support assistant with Sian Jones at Goodwick Junior School in 1987 and after being involved with Sian for 15 years moved on to Fishguard Comprehensive School in 1998 and eventually her role changed to that of SEN Sixth Form Coordinator so that she was involved with young adults with Special Education Needs. At that time she organized a lunch time multisports club and swimming club for pupils with disabilities and whilst working in this role Angela studied for her Certificate in Learning Support, achieved her GNVQ level three for ‘Working With Young People’ and her foundation degree in ‘Education and Social Inclusion before going on to complete her full degree, which brought a great deal of pride to husband John, daughter Michelle and son Paul, who is a sergeant in the army.
Hard work – and reel success
In her time in her current post, Angela has enjoyed working with Pembrokeshire Puffins Swimming Club and the Cleddau Warriors Football Team and had started another football team in the Preseli Warriors at Fishguard which is still looking for new players. Boccia is still going strong with Jacob Thomas as the star and being joined recently by Sian Jones, whilst the Pembrokeshire Disability Gymnastics Club is going from strength to strength under the inspirational leadership of Jean Jones, whom Angela has been able to help with funding issues.
Then there’s John and Angie Richards, Martin Goodall and Co at the Haverfordwest Hawks, plus the Tenby Tenderfoots, which is run by the Rotary Club of Saundersfoot for part of the year and whose members compete in the Rotary Games. Angela is also involved with ‘Youth Forum’ an enthusiastic group which has as its motto ‘Young Voices for Choices’ and which also encourages participation from those with a disability.
Still seeking opportunities
But it is worth reporting that Angela’s commitment is to all ages and her ambition is to provide even more varied activities. She has clearly found her niche and enjoys her involvement immensely. Angela’s message is clear to anyone with a disability.
“If you want to give any sport a try then contact me at County Hall or log on to the Disability Sport Wales web site, where there is a dedicated section for Pembrokeshire. I guarantee that if there is a chance of anyone taking part I will do my best for them – and what I don’t know about I promise to find out.”
And do you know something – you only have to chat to Angela Miles for a short while to see that she means exactly what she says!
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