ALBANIA may not be one of the world\u2019s top sporting nations but their seal of approval could be big news for a sports complex in Anglesey.<\/p>\n
And if a group of weightlifters chooses Holyhead as their base in the build-up to the London Olympics it will be yet another source of pride for one man in particular.<\/p>\n
Former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Ray Williams, the current Welsh national coach, has been the driving force behind the establishment of Holyhead and Anglesey Weightlifting
\nand Fitness Centre, currently undergoing a \u00a3300,000 extension and refurbishment.<\/p>\n
Last year Chinese athletes spent a week training at the centre, which is a Centre of Excellence for the sport, but they will be going directly from Bejing to the Games in July.<\/p>\n
However Ray, a director of the centre in Millbank, is keeping his fingers crossed that the Albanians will choose Holyhead as their training base, using accommodation at Bangor University.<\/p>\n
With the backing of the local community and supporters from across North Wales Ray has campaigned long and hard for large-scale investment in the centre.<\/p>\n
Now, with the extended centre about to be opened \u2013 some items of equipment are still awaited \u2013
\nofficials are looking to move up to another level thanks to advice and support from WINSENT (Wales Ireland Network for Social Entrepreneurship).<\/p>\n
WINSENT is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and through the Ireland Wales Programme (INTERREG 4A), which offers professional help to social enterprises.<\/p>\n
Ray, 52, will be a guest speaker at a conference being organised by WINSENT at the Scala Cinema and Conference Centre, in Prestatyn, on March 29.<\/p>\n
He said that with the facilities now available his aim was to take the club onto a more professional level and through WINSENT is arranging for volunteers to attend courses on administrative aspects of the venture.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe learned about WINSENT through Menter Mon, who have supported us, and we\u2019re very grateful. We currently have about 80 members but hope to take it up to 150 and eventually to be able to ensure that we have some virtually full-time weightlifters,\u201d said Ray.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no doubt that good facilities can be inspirational, and as a Centre of Excellence we can
\nrival places such as Lilleshall and Bath,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Holyhead club has already been visited by numerous top-class athletes including some of the
\nCanadian rugby team who played in the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Ray, who was born and raised in Holyhead and returned to the town after 24 years in the Army, is
\nconfident that many others will take advantage of the specialist facilities despite Holyhead\u2019s relative remoteness.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the facilities are good enough people will be prepared to travel and that\u2019s a good thing not only for Holyhead, which has gone through a tough time with job losses, but also for North Wales,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Holyhead club has been a production line for the sport over the years and the current star member is Gareth Evans, who is a member of the British squad training for the Olympics in Leeds. The welterweight is also from Holyhead.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d be very surprised if he wasn\u2019t selected for London,\u201d said Ray.<\/p>\n
Though his enthusiasm and effort has been a key factor in seeing the project reach fruition Ray is keen to stress the contribution made by members, parents and other supporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is very much a social enterprise and we could not have done it without such a level of support from the community,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n
The club premises have been closed since November while building work was taking place and details have not yet been finalized for the official opening in the next few weeks, but Ray is optimistic that a sporting celebrity will attend.<\/p>\n
Sue Haygarth, of Consultancy Coop based in Wales, is assisting the Isle of Anglesey County Council in delivering WINSENT for social enterprises in the county.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThe Holyhead Weightlifting Club has a proud record as a production line of top class weighlifters and Ray Williams is the embodiment of a social entrepreneur.<\/p>\n
“Ray is a real inspiration and I we’re delighted that he will be one of our guest speakers at the conference in the Scala cinema and conference centre in Prestatyn on March 29.”<\/p>\n
To find out more about WINSENT go to <\/strong>www.winsent.eu<\/strong><\/a> or email Sue Haygarth at <\/strong>winsent@denbighshire.gov.uk<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n