Championing rugby for women and girls in North Wales
2135. Tirion Thomas
Tirion Thomas, aged 22, from North Wales, has been instrumental in increasing the uptake of young women’s rugby in North Wales, after rescuing her beloved home team of Bala from going under.
Growing up in Bala, Tirion wanted to increase the opportunities for girls and women to play rugby in the area. When the Under-16 coach of Bala Rugby Club team had to step away from the role, Tirion stepped in, completing the coaching exams on her 18th birthday and going on to champion women’s rugby in and around North Wales, with an increasing number of girls joining the sport.
Tirion has now created five new teams and a network of coaches across North Wales, as well as improving access to the sport in Swansea, where she is at university.
Tirion’s award comes ahead of the start of the Rugby World Cup.
Tirion said:
“It’s a very humble feeling to have been presented with this award. And provides me with great achievement, not only for myself but equally for women’s rugby as a whole. Raising awareness not only for women’s rugby but women in sport. Rugby has a huge place in my heart and has supported me massively along my journey of life so far, which is why i strive and hope to provide others with the same if not even greater opportunities allowing rugby or women’s sport to have the same impact on them. I do what I do as a way of saying thank you and giving back to the sport and community!”