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Med’s rewarded for two decades of dedication
When the Sport Pembrokeshire award was announced for the ‘Secondary School Teacher of the Year’ there is no doubt that a large number of children would say the recipient, Med Richards, thoroughly deserved to be the first-ever recipient.
Med is currently joint head of PE at Sir Thomas Picton School with Delyth Truman and this is his 13th year at the school, following eight happy years at Greenhill School, Tenby, and in that time he has always been involved in a whole range of sporting activities. This has been especially so with regard to athletics, where he was honoured to hear three weeks ago that he has been added to the list of Vice Presidents to the Welsh Schools Athletic Association for his contribution to athletics.
Good administrator
He has for the past 13 years been secretary of the Pembs School Athletics Association and doubled up as Dyfed Schools Cross Country secretary, involving the organization of the Pembs Schools’ Cross Country League and Championships, as well as their athletics competitions. This has clearly been a great deal of work but, not content with that little lot, Med has been Welsh Schools Cross Country team manager on seven occasions and will be carrying out that duty again in North Wales in March.
Sporting family background
Med was an athlete and cross country runner himself as a lad when he was brought up by his mother Mair and late father Gordon, in Llanhowel, which is near Croesgoch, St Davids. He was one of four boys from a sporting family, with brothers Geraint and Carwyn both going on to captain St Davids RFC, whilst Dafydd is currently teaching English in Prague. Med attended Ysgol Dewi Sant and even became Head Boy!
He was in the same year as Rowland Phillips (the current Neath RFC coach) and they both gained our first international honours in 1981, as Med ran for Wales in the 3000 metres in Dublin and Rowland played rugby for the Welsh U16's v England at Twickenham. Med gained five more Welsh vests and won the Welsh Schools 2000 metres steeplechase title in Year 13.
Seattle inspiration
His mentor in school was the legendary Dai Davies, who is still going strong, and due to Dai's teacher exchange to Seattle when Med was in Year 12, Med was eventually invited to live with the exchange family (the McCaffrey's) for a year back in the states when he finished his 'A' levels.
As Med told us, “It was a fantastic experience at 18; I attended the University of Washington and trained with the athletics’ squad at the university five days a week. Brilliant!”
Then he did his four year stint in college and when he came back to Pembrokeshire he got his first job at Greenhill School, in 1988, working alongside Huw Thomas and Gary Owen and getting actively involved in extra-curricular activities. Eight years ago Med also completed his MSc in ‘Sociology of Sport and Sports Management', which was a distance learning course from Leicester University.
“I spent eight years at Greenhill,” said Med, “and taught the likes of top footballer Deryn Brace, plus rugby stars like Tom Shanklin and James Merriman. I am now in my 13th year at STP and as well as Delyth Truman my colleagues include Gelly James, Jon Dodd, Heather Wale and Michelle Huddleston in a great department with good sporting facilities to inspire our youngsters but, most importantly, a very supportive Head teacher in Joan Bessant enabling us as a department to offer our students as many curricular and extra-curricular sporting opportunities as possible. To be a successful department we rely on the support of all colleagues including secretaries, caretakers and ground staff, and there is a great team spirit about sport in STP.”
Teaching enjoyment
As well as involving himself with all sports within school and supporting his three children in their sporting interests, along with his wife Gaynor, he enjoys teaching all aspects of PE - from the practical to the academic subjects of GCSE & 'A' level, and also the 'BTEC Sport' that he and Delyth Truman are delivering for the first time this year. His philosophy has always been to try and give students as many positive experiences through the range of physical activities that school offers.
“In today’s society where there are great concerns regarding inactivity and obesity levels I believe the PE teachers role in now more important than ever.” says Med with some conviction. “Positive experiences come through enjoyment and praise, with the teacher taking an interest in the individual whenever possible and thereby raising self-esteem. I was flattered to win this important award but I do feel that I am able to do my job well because of the quality of students and staff within the school, so I will share it with them.”
High praise indeed
That just about sums up Med’s dedication to sport in general and his nomination said of Med, “He is the perfect role model for any aspiring PE teacher and is dedicated and passionate about what he does – with no task too big or small if it concerns children.” High praise indeed but it was evident when he received the award from Folly Farm’s Chris Ebsworth that he was a little taken aback because he is also a modest and unassuming, as well as inspirational, teacher.
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