Angela Miles - a great advocate for disability sport

 

If ever there was an award for contribution to disability support in our county, then Angela Miles would be a prime candidate because for well over two decades, she has been totally involved in raising the profile of sport for the disabled, across a wide range of sports. (Writes Bill Carne)
 
But we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk are very aware of her hard work and were delighted to be able to present her with our new ‘Sporting Stars’ badge as a token of our immense respect!
 
It was Angela who started out the ‘In-Sport’ awards with Pembrokeshire clubs from any sport who could show a commitment to inclusion, not only proving the means for the particular activity in terms of a pitch or area to be available but providing support on adapting their sport to include disabled young people and adults , with the aim of real integration for all.
 

The route to ‘In-Sport’

 
Participating clubs received an initial talk from Angela and once they had shown their intent on inclusive delivery they were on the way they had four categories of recognition, which started with the award of insport Ribbon, followed by Bronze, Silver and, of course, the ultimate accolade of the Gold award.
 
Such were Angela’s persuasive powers and commitment that since then sports like rugby, football, cricket, hockey, tennis, swimming, bowls, Strength Academy Wales, amateur boxing and others have become involved.
 

Started out at Ysgol Bro Gwaun

 
Angela’s involvement started when she was an LSA at Ysgol Wdig and  Ysgol Bro Gwaun, for a lovely young lady named Sian Jones.  Sian moved on to Pembrokeshire College and Angel remained at Bro Gwaun and began introducing inclusive sport to the ALN department during lunch times.
 
Then Sian Bowen came to school as the Disability Officer with Pembrokeshire County Council and provided a large ‘Sportability’ bag of equipment which included a set of boccia balls - and after finding more about this new sport started Sian Jones off (and that Sian is still playing now at a high level, all these years later, with mum Jean as her coach).
 

Followed Sian Bowen into her role – and proudest moment

 
Eventually, Angela took over from Sian B and established the sport as Crymych Panthers, where  Jacob Thomas took part, it wasn’t long before Angela persuaded Sian Jones to try the sport (and Sian is still playing now, representing Wales with her mum Liz assisting her coaching. Jacob soon showed a remarkable talent, with dad Mike as his ramp operator so that Jacob could use a helmet with a pointer to direct the six balls down a ramp, which are of different weights and texture, towards the Jack.
 
Ask Angela about proudest moments and it might be the fact that Jacob eventually made it to the Paralympics in London and only just missed out on a medal  She and husband John, like Gordon Thomas, Fraser Watson and I, attended the games and for this particular writer, Jacob’s entry into the Boccia arena is one that I will never forget.
 
Jacob was ranked No 1 in the world at one stage and received wonderful support from parents Mike and Caroline, plus daughter Polly, before he sadly passed away at such a young age!
 

A new challenge – and more great work

 
When Angela finally left Sport Pembrokeshire, she took on the role of Health Disability Activity Practitioner for Howells Dda , with the role influencing health professionals on the benefits of physical activity and sport for patient recovery
 
She was able to use disability sport characters like Sian and Jacob, Harry and Libi Phillips as she travelled within Hywel Dda across the three counties of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire to promote the benefits.
 

Involved in hockey for many years

 
Hockey has always been Angela’s favourite sport and she was a founder member of the Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club, where she played on the left wing, putting her pace to good effect until her late 40s and a ‘dodgy pair of knees’ caused her to stop, although she did carry on umpiring up to a few years ago.
 
Some of the original group recently celebrated the club’s first-ever tour to Wexford, including her sisters Margaret Thomas and Jane Parker, plus her old friend Tina Shevlin, who was known alongside Angela as the ‘Pit Bull and the Rottweiler’ because they were always at each other during games!
 

And finally . . .

 
Although Angela is no longer involved in the administration of the club, she is determined to get back to something like fitness as she regularly attends the local leisure centre for Strength and Balance, Pilates, Aquarobics and Dance!
 
She is also still involved with The Panthers in Boccia, and already looking forward to the Third Annual Jacob Thomas Memorial Tournament when Jacob’s dad Mike and sister Polly will be there, plus a number of the game’s top players in the country, regular players from our county and beyond, like No 1 David Smith, a great international ambassador for the sport. 
 
Angela is also part of Boccia Cymru (the performance arm of boccia in Wales) focus group and travels with the Welsh team as team manager.
 
Angela has officially retired from work but will still be involved in her passion for having all sports available for those who have a disability – and we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk are delighted, in our small way, to thank her by presenting her with our special ‘Sporting Star’ badge!