page revision date :
Matthew is a rising steeple-chaser
One of the rising stars of the local athletics’ scene is 16 year old Matthew Richards, who has already represented Wales in the tough 1,500 metre steeplechase and has also done well in cross country as reward for his hard work in training.
He runs at least five evenings a week, from three to six miles, including attendance at two training sessions with the Harriers and now travels to Carmarthen for weekly training sessions with Kevin Evans, where he is pushed even further by training with some elite athletes which include a British champion. Peter Freeman has been a great help at Pembrokeshire Harriers and Matthew enjoys the meetings where he competes for the Harriers. There is a real family spirit there and participants are encouraged to take part in other events to earn points for their club. That’s why he has also run the 400 metres, 800 metres and long jump – and has even thrown the javelin on one occasion!
Seven years a Harrier
Matthew has been involved at Pembrokeshire Harriers for almost seven years and although he is adept at other sports he is now focussing on his running and following dad Med Richards into the tough world of steeple-chasing and cross-country because Richards senior represented Welsh Schools in both. Med is joint head of PE at STP School and was a useful steeple-chaser in his younger days, and along with Matthew’s mum Gaynor tries to follow him as often as possible and provide the support needed. Older brother Daniel (18) switched from being a striker with Merlins Bridge Youth to be a goalkeeper for Camrose First XI, whilst sister Tilly (12) is already a useful sporting all-rounder.
Successful season
It has been a successful season for Matthew because although he is a year younger than all the other lads in his age category he has represented Wales on three occasions. Starting in June this year when he ran in a Mountain Running event in Souza, Italy, for under 17 year olds and was over three miles with some very stiff climbs. He finished a creditable 36th and was understandably thrilled to be representing his country and wearing the coveted Welsh vest.
In July he took part in the Welsh Schools 1,500 metre steeplechase at Brecon and achieved his personal best time of 4 minutes 57 seconds – and his performance there earned him selection for Wales in the Home Countries Championships in Bedford, where his seventh place was again achieved against older boys.
Great experience
The biggest event of the year was undoubtedly the UK Schools Games where a number of different sports congregated with athletics in Bath and Bristol to hold a mini-olympic event that had £6 million injected by the government to show the youngsters what 2012 could hold for them. There were 1,600 youngsters staying for four nights in the athletics ‘village’, with opening and closing ceremonies, and he attended with Harriers’ colleague Ricky Watts, who was selected for the 400 metres. Matthew came tenth in the steeple-chase and it was a memorable time for him.
Matthew set out in athletics as a nipper in Mary Immaculate School, where he received every encouragement from Mr Shay Buckley, who was head at the time, and from there he has gradually improved as he has worked hard. At one stage he was also involved in football and rugby, playing for the county under 11s in the former and the District under 12s in the latter until he broke his arm three times and decided it was time to concentrate on his running.
Stiff challenges
Such is his dedication that he runs around Sutton and Portfield Gate runs through the woods at Little Milford, where there are some stiff challenges, and even attends training sessions with Peter Freeman where a group of about eight of them build up their stamina by ‘enjoying’ Sunday runs up the sand dunes at Freshwater West!
It hasn’t been all plain sailing, though, because Matthew was disappointed at not being chosen for Welsh Schools Cross Country team in years nine and ten but has set his sights on selection this year, even though he is a year younger than most of his rivals. He has already won the school cross country and was third in Dyfed so is aiming high and ready to work hard for success. His eventual target is to run in the 3,000 metres steeple-chase and to gain his senior Welsh vest – and after that, who knows? But there’s already one thing for sure – if dedication is anything to go by then we are sure to hear a great deal more about Matthew Richards and his steeple-chasing in the future!
| 
