An aspiring sports coach from Anglesey has received national recognition for her commitment to volunteering and coaching.
Sport Wales and Ynys Môn Young Ambassador, Samantha Goad, 17, was presented with the Diana Memorial Award at an award ceremony at the Senedd building, Cardiff, on Monday 15th July. The Diana Award supports and celebrates the outstanding achievements of young people.
Samantha’s work is diverse, and developing the skills of the children in the local community is at the focal point of her work.
She coaches at the popular ‘Friday Fitness’ Project, running varied sessions for young people in her home town of Amlwch. Samantha also organises steering groups in primary and secondary schools, delivers sports programmes at leisure centres and in the local community. She attends regular training workshops to improve her sports leadership skills, and over the past twelve months she’s volunteered with events such as the Anglesey half marathon, and at numerous half term sports camps.
Earlier this year, Samantha was also crowned National Volunteer of the Year by StreetGames. Much of her coaching is delivered in partnership with the StreetGames Alliance, which works in disadvantaged communities across the UK. Their work helps to make young people and their communities healthier, safer and more successful, through the power of sport.
At the recent Anglesey and Gwynedd Schools Sports Awards 2019, held at Canolfan Beaumaris, Samantha was awarded the Young Ambassador and Volunteer award..
Samantha said, “Through my work with Môn Actif and the Young Ambassadors programme I’ve been able to volunteer with a diverse range of projects including the US Girls FAW football project.”
She added, “My main priority is working with local young people to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle”.
Leisure portfolio holder, Councillor Carwyn Jones, said, “Samantha has inspired many young people across the county to get active and engage in sporting activities and is especially focused on getting more girls and women active. She is a highly respected young coach on Anglesey and her community-based work is invaluable. She is hugely deserving of all these awards.”
Anglesey Council’s Community Sport Development Officer, Barry Edwards, added, “It has been a real pleasure working with Samantha, and seeing her develop into a very talented coach.”
”She works closely with key partners on a national level, obtaining grants and ensuring community voices are heard, in order to tackle obesity and encourage an active lifestyle.”
“Samantha’s work is very much community-based and many children look up to her as a role model. I look forward to continuing to work with her as we encourage more of Anglesey’s residents to get active.”
Ends 22.07.19