Coleg Menai learners recognised at Môn Actif Sports Awards
Casi Evans and David Owen were among the winners, as well as former students Kieran Jones, Celt Ffransis, Catrin Stewart and Osian Perrin
Coleg Menai students past and present were among the winners at The Môn Actif Sports Awards 2023.
Casi Evans and David Owen were among some of those celebrated for their sporting excellence at the ceremony, which was hosted by former Wales footballer Owain Tudur Jones.
Wales footballer Casi, who studies Level 3 Sport & Exercise Science at the Llangefni campus, shared the Junior Sportswoman of the Year with former Coleg Menai student Catrin Stewart.
Casi, from Amlwch, recently scored the winning penalty for Wales under-17 women in a penalty shootout victory over Italy, and is in the squad for forthcoming Euro qualifying matches against Albania (Friday 24 November), Kazakhstan (Monday 27 November) and the Faroe Islands (Thursday 30 November).
David, who studies Level 3 Sports Coaching in Llangefni, won the Young Ambassador of the Year award. David is involved as a player and coach with Menai Bridge Cricket Club, and recently won the ‘Rising Star’ accolade at the Cricket Wales 2023 Club Volunteers Awards, as well as playing rugby for Bangor.
Also among the winners at the Môn Actif Sports Awards was former Coleg Menai student Kieran Jones, who won the Personal Achievement award. Kieran, from Valley, last year won the Welsh F34 shot put title, which was a remarkable achievement after his coach Anthony Hughes sadly passed away at the end of last year.
Other winners at the awards included former Coleg Menai student Osian Perrin, who won the Senior Sportsperson of the Year award, and Celt Ffransis, who was part of Coleg Llandrillo’s Rugby Academy and was named Junior Sportsman of the Year.
Ollie Coles, Rugby Engagement Officer for Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and the Welsh Rugby Union, was at the awards and was pleased to see both David and Celt recognised.
He said: “I was fantastically proud to attend the Môn Actif Sports Awards in Beaumaris and to see our Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Learners receive awards in recognition of their achievements.
“Celt Ffransis was a member of our Rugby Academy at Coleg Llandrillo, alongside playing regional age-grade for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru.
“Celt has gone on to represent Wales under-18s against Scotland and Italy. He has also gone on to join the senior academy at RGC and has made multiple appearances for them in the Welsh Premiership. Celt is a fantastic role model for young rugby players from Ynys Môn and the college wishes him every success going forward.”
Of David’s success, Ollie said: “David is an integral member of Menai Bridge Cricket Club, captaining their thirds on several occasions as well as playing as an all-rounder for their firsts and seconds. David also assists the junior section with coaching, scoring and umpiring for the U13s and U15s, further supporting players’ transition from junior to senior cricket.
“Away from Cricket, David is also an avid rugby player for Clwb Rygbi Bangor's youth team and provides a significant amount of support to Clwb Rygbi Porthaethwy.
“David has attended coaching courses held at the club, supports coaching with the clubs mixed ability 'Llewod y Bont' side and also supports the senior team on match day.
“David has undoubtedly had a significant impact on sport in Menai Bridge. He is a credit to the college and is fully deserved of this award.''
The awards ceremony at Beaumaris Leisure Centre was the first since the pandemic, and more than 500 nominations were received for the various awards.
Môn Actif Sports Development Manager Barry Edwards said: “The event celebrated outstanding individual and team sporting achievements over the past two years, and it also recognised the hard work that takes place by coaches and volunteers across the county on a weekly basis.
“Thanks to their hard work, people of all ages and abilities can participate in their chosen activities.
“The event also helped highlight the importance of community engagement and Môn Actif will be looking to further strengthen local collaboration to help expand sporting provisions on Anglesey. We now look forward to the 2024 ceremony and building on this successful year.”
For details of all the winners, read the report on the Isle of Anglesey County Council website. For more information about sport and outdoor courses with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, click here. Applications are now open for September 2024 entry.