A BARRY resident has been appointed games manager for Commonwealth Games Wales.

Cathy Williams will work alongside the chief executive to plan, deliver and manage activities around the Commonwealth Games, Youth Commonwealth Games and associated events such as Queens Baton Relay.

The sport broadcast journalist said she was delighted to have landed "her dream job".

Ms Williams graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University with a sport development degree, and went on to become a personal trainer and PE teacher before moving into broadcast journalism and production roles - most recently with the BBC.

She has previously presented and reported from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, while her latest filming projects include presenting an Euro 2016 feature on Gareth Bale for CBBC's MOTD Kickabout series, and producing the IPC European Swimming championships in Funchal for Channel 4.

The mum-of-two said: "Joining the team at Commonwealth Games Wales is a dream come true. My broadcasting career has given me great experience of working closely with sport organisations and elite athletes of all kinds, and I have always been truly inspired by their dedication when I've interviewed them for sport programmes.

"I'm really excited to have this opportunity to work even closer with Welsh athletes, and the team of managers, coaches and staff behind Team Wales.

"I've always been really sporty and I love keeping fit. I think it's in my blood - my parents used to manage the youth athletics league for Carmarthen Harriers and both my brothers are also into sport. My brother and I are former Welsh athletics champions and he's now a Welsh tennis player and head coach at Rhiwbina Tennis Club.

"I was once Colin Jackson's kit carrier as a very young child, and ever since I've known that I'd have a career in sport – and what better job than working with the very best athletes in Wales?"

Ms Williams said she is "extremely passionate" about the Commonwealth Games.

"My brothers and I used to hold mini Commonwealth Games competitions in our back garden for local children," she added.

"We had trophies, medals and even a podium. I could never have imagined that many years later I'd be part of Team Wales's journey to the 2018 Games in Gold Coast – I just can't wait."

Chief executive of Commonwealth Games Wales, Chris Jenkins said: "This role will significantly boost our planning and delivery capacity to make sure that we work effectively with Sport Wales and governing bodies to create the best performance environment possible for our athletes ahead of Gold Coast 2018."