Justin Head has enjoyed a long association with weight lifting and as he approaches 45 is now back competing in the masters' category as well as doing an excellent job in coaching at his own club in Pembroke Dock and at the Strength Academy Wales in Haverfordwest.
 
Ironically, Justin only started out in weightlifting when he lived in Carew and couldn't get in to the village junior football team so he went to the Pembroke Weightlifting Club run by Peter James and Phil Thomas, who both had sons competing who were the same age as Justin and were good friends of his.
 
He took to it straight away as he started off with a small bar, then a larger one and, once he had learned the vital early techniques he started progressing through the 'Clean & Jerk' and 'Snatch' techniques with increasing weights attached as his coaches could see his progress.
 

Strong coaching set-up

 
"Coaching was very strong in those days," Justin told us, "with Myrddin John leading the way in the Ammanford area and Lyn Roach a hugely respected figure in Haverfordwest - and both were brilliant at taking their protégées 'up the line' to competitions.
 
But eventually Phil took a back seat and so Justin used to train in Peter James' garage in Carew and travelled over to see Lyn has often as possible, where he met up with Lyn's sons Mark and Simon Roach and got to know them really well.
 

Welsh and British success

 
"I soon started entering competitions and was delighted when I became a Welsh Champion - and the undoubted highlight as a teenager was winning the British 60kgs category in Edinburgh.
 
"I also won a couple more titles by the time I was 20 and was thrilled to come fourth in the British senior championships as proof of the way things were going.
 
"My last competition came in 1998, where I joined Jonathan Roberts (Ammanford) in coming second in a British Pairs Championship but then I moved to live in Ireland and my weightlifting took a back seat for all the time I was there."
 

Contacted old pal Simon

 
Then Justin returned to Pembrokeshire and it was only by chance that he spotted an article about SAW's opening in the county town and decided to contact his old pal Simon Roach to see if he wanted any help.
 
"I popped across to see Simon and it was the right time because his assistant, Owain Rowlands, had just returned home to North Wales - and since then I have passed my refereeing course and am looking forward to some more specialist coaching courses to widen my experience."
 

Started up his own club – and total family support!

 
He now works two evenings a week at SAW, including a Tuesday evening session with the Pembrokeshire under 16 rugby scheme - and he has opened his own club as a satellite of SAW in Pembroke Dock.
"We are at Unit 6B of the Maritime Business Park on Criterion Way, just behind the Asda Service Station and we welcome all ages and for whatever reason, including just for general fitness, to help with other sports or just for general well-being.
 
"We are open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening from 5.30 to 9pm and there are already 30-plus members who including my step children Brittany and Jack, who has just broken two unofficial Welsh records in the gym. Then there's eight year old Lexi who is also involved and partner Tracy, who keeps them all going in the background.
 

Heavy involvement in schools

 
As well as that high level of involvement, Justin is also a Regional Development Officer with the Welsh Weightlifting Federation, where his role includes raising a greater awareness of his sport so that more adults get involved behind the scenes as coaches, referees, etc, whilst encouraging all ages to get involved in actual weight lifting
 
"I also go into Taskers, STP, Tenby, Pembroke and Milford Haven Schools to take small groups who want to find out more about participating.
"I have all my equipment in the back of my van and trundle it out at each school - and I have really been heartened by the support from school staff and 5x60 officers, as well as by the children themselves.
 

Promising recruits

 
"For example, I came across one youngster who came to me to say that he couldn't balance enough to do front squats and I just worked quietly with him until it finally clicked. His face was a real picture and he has grown in confidence and doing very well.
 
"Since then he has told me his weight lifting has also helped his rugby and if he can keep up his current rate of progress he could be competing for championships next year - and breaking a few records as a bonus!
"We also have a few more promising recruits and when the Welsh Championships are held in Haverfordwest we hope to have four or five new champions - and a few new records as a bonus."
 

Back in action himself

 
It is also good to report that Justin has become so involved again on the coaching front that he has decided to give weight lifting another go himself.
"The Welsh Masters are held in March for different age groups over 35 and I've started doing some training and am pleased so far with my progress.
 
“The techniques soon came back at the higher weight levels, and so has my confidence, so it is looking good at the moment.
 
"If I enter it will be in the 94kgs class and my initial target weights are 85kgs in 'The Snatch' and 110 kgs in the 'Clean & Jerk' - but I will just be glad that I've competed myself as well as encouraging our young talent.
 

And finally . . .

 
It is clear that Justin really enjoys his involvement at SAW but it seems that the appreciation is mutual because Simon Roach told us,
“Justin has been like a breath of fresh air since he joined us and it is great to see his involvement with Welsh Weightlifting as well.
“He has that ability to inspire others and having done so well himself knows what youngsters need to improve. He came to us at the right time and we delighted to have him on board.”
 
We could pay Justin Head no greater compliment and we wish him continued success, at his own satellite club in Pembroke Dock and in his work with Strength Academy Wales!