Praise for Barry athlete (From Barry And District News)

Praise for Barry athlete

11:10am Monday 11th February 2013 in Sport

AT the end of last year, Barry Comprehensive School student Matthew Collins represented Wales in the SIAB Schools’ Indoor Combined Events International in Glasgow.

Matthew first competed in the under-16 team event in 2010, helping to secure the team gold, followed by his appearance in the under-18 team in 2011, taking the team silver medal.

Last year’s event was staged at the new Emirates Arena in Glasgow, which will be one of the venues hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The events contested were the 60 metres hurdles, shot put, 200 metres, long jump and the 800 metres. The under-18 boys’ team saw Matthew reunited with his under-16 competition teammates Aled Price (Maes yr Yrfa) and David Omoregie (Bishop of Llandaff) and together they succeeded in securing the team gold medal once again.

Their combined points total of 10,472 beat the second-placed English team by more than 200 points, and set a new Welsh U18 boys’ team record.

Matthew finished a very creditable seventh position with a personal best points total of 3,223, 141 more points and five places higher than last year.

Alun Cairns MP wrote to Matthew to offer his congratulations, saying: “To win a gold medal in such a highly competitive championship is a remarkable achievement and a great reflection of the hard work and dedication you have shown to athletics over the years.

“To represent your country is one of the proudest moments anyone can ever achieve, and though this will be your last time at this level, you no doubt left on a high.”