Libi Phillips wins Gold

Wheelchair racing champion Libi Phillips from Spittal has been congratulated for winning a Gold Medal at the National Junior Athletics 2019 Championships in Derby.

Representing Wales, the 13-year-old from Spittal won the T23 100m wheelchair racing category.

High praise from Angela

Angela Miles, Disability Sport Officer for Pembrokeshire, said: “This is a tremendous achievement for Libi, who is also part of the Ospreys wheelchair rugby under 18 team which recently won the gold medal at the Junior UK Championships.”

Angela also praised Libi’s work off the pitch to help young people with a physical impairment to change their lives through sport. 

Superb fund raising

“Having been involved with wheelchair sports from the age of seven, Libi is keen for more young people in Pembrokeshire to benefit from wheelchair sport and set up ‘Wheels for Heals’ fundraising campaign,” said Angela. 

“To date, she has raised almost £3,000 and is using the funds to purchase multisport wheelchairs to help children and young people to participate in sport at school.”

Libi presented the first chair to seven-year-old Frankie Whitby from Narberth CP School at the recent insport Series event at Pembroke leisure centre.

Rugby star Dan involved and Ben is thrilled

Welsh rugby international Dan Lydiate was delighted to be part of the presentation and learn more about Libi’s project. 

Ben Kirk, Frankie’s class teacher from Narberth School, said: “We are very grateful to Libi for presenting the chair to Frankie. The chair will help her to participate fully in our PE sessions by giving her more independence.”

Libi, who is also the Wales under 15 captain at wheelchair basketball, is coached by Rhian Homer and attends fortnightly performance hub sessions in Aberystwyth with Gemma Cutter, Disability Sport Wales Talent Pathway Officer.

“Libi is an inspirational young lady who never lets anything stop her achieving her goal,” said Angela.