:00:19. > :00:20.Good evening and welcome to Sport Wales.
:00:21. > :00:22.Well, this week, we have had rain, we have had wind,
:00:23. > :00:25.we have had storms, which can mean only one thing -
:00:26. > :00:27.yes, the cricket season is nearly upon us.
:00:28. > :00:30.We will find out how confident Glamorgan are feeling very shortly,
:00:31. > :00:33.but first, here is what else we have got coming up
:00:34. > :00:39.A new stadium for the Cardiff Devils,
:00:40. > :00:41.but can they end the season on a high?
:00:42. > :00:47.I think it would be a symbol for a lot of great things.
:00:48. > :00:50.a new season brings new hope at Glamorgan.
:00:51. > :00:53.My ambition is to make the most out of every individual
:00:54. > :00:59.it is everybody that is here representing Glamorgan.
:01:00. > :01:03.Two friendlies in the bag, what is the verdict?
:01:04. > :01:05.I still maintain, mate, that with everybody fit,
:01:06. > :01:08.we're more than capable of getting out of that group in France.
:01:09. > :01:15.You know, you put Bale and Ramsey into that Ukraine performance
:01:16. > :01:17.and, you know, I think we probably win that game.
:01:18. > :01:20.We catch up with one of our most experienced competitors
:01:21. > :01:23.It's going to be a tough competition, it's the highest level
:01:24. > :01:27.my dream would be to bring back another medal.
:01:28. > :01:34.And it's a special occasion for everyone involved
:01:35. > :01:42.It's fantastic how, you know, the standard has raised this year.
:01:43. > :01:47.they have literally just stepped up a level,
:01:48. > :01:52.so I think we will have our work cut out today.
:01:53. > :01:54.Cardiff Devils are aiming for their second trophy in two seasons
:01:55. > :01:58.in the Elite League play-offs on the weekend
:01:59. > :02:00.and having just moved into a brand-new stadium,
:02:01. > :02:08.could the good times be coming back the capital?
:02:09. > :02:34.the Cardiff Devils was the hottest ticket in town.
:02:35. > :02:37.Since then, they've fallen on hard times, but in recent years,
:02:38. > :02:47.New owners, a brand-new arena, it feels like a new dawn.
:02:48. > :03:00.You know, we've got a new ownership group in that just loves hockey.
:03:01. > :03:04.They want to do things right, they want to treat the players
:03:05. > :03:07.and the off-ice staff the right way here.
:03:08. > :03:10.It goes back to that passion with the fan base and the team.
:03:11. > :03:13.I think we feed off each other, we understand each other,
:03:14. > :03:16.and it has made for a really kind of fun snowball effect
:03:17. > :03:21.Get that over to Andrew Lord, who steps inside, looking
:03:22. > :03:32.I really like as a club where we are going, with everything,
:03:33. > :03:35.on the ice, off the ice, the fans, the building, everything,
:03:36. > :03:37.I really like where we are going and I think
:03:38. > :03:40.this organisation is only going to get better in the future.
:03:41. > :03:45.For ten years, the Devils had to play in a big blue tent
:03:46. > :03:50.Now they are in a custom-built arena.
:03:51. > :03:53.The managing director of the Devils is Todd Kelman.
:03:54. > :04:04.We have moved into what I would consider a perfect sized arena
:04:05. > :04:07.for this league and a great facility to play in.
:04:08. > :04:10.I mean, it is huge for us, it is huge for all of South Wales.
:04:11. > :04:13.It is a real game changer for us and for any ice sports
:04:14. > :04:17.Is this another step in the Devils' Renaissance,
:04:18. > :04:25.We took over two years ago, this is our second season in charge,
:04:26. > :04:28.and they were kind of, you know, the last placed club
:04:29. > :04:31.and weren't getting the big crowds and we added probably 1,000 people
:04:32. > :04:34.to their average crowd and had some success in year one last year under
:04:35. > :04:37.us and this year again, competing for the league title,
:04:38. > :04:39.Challenge Cup final and now going for a play-off championship.
:04:40. > :04:46.One last weekend, but it won't be here, it will be in Nottingham.
:04:47. > :04:53.but we have got a huge game on Saturday and if we win that,
:04:54. > :04:55.we have got an even bigger game on Sunday.
:04:56. > :05:07.Another brilliant save by Ben Bowns on the rebound.
:05:08. > :05:09.There'll be two semifinals on the Saturday and then the final
:05:10. > :05:12.on Sunday, so we will play a one-off game on the Saturday,
:05:13. > :05:16.If we beat them, then we will play whoever wins the second semifinal
:05:17. > :05:19.It's going to be a really big challenge.
:05:20. > :05:22.I mean, we know we don't have an easy route there,
:05:23. > :05:24.Coventry's playing really good, they won it last year,
:05:25. > :05:26.so it's not like we are going in there thinking
:05:27. > :05:30.Last year's trophy was the first trophy in a decade,
:05:31. > :05:35.I think to get another trophy this year would be, just
:05:36. > :05:37.to show our consistency, to show how far we have come
:05:38. > :05:40.in such a short time, I think it would be a symbol
:05:41. > :05:45.At the same time, if we play like we are supposed to play,
:05:46. > :05:48.I think we should be fine and it would be huge for the club
:05:49. > :05:51.PRIMAL SCREAM: # I'm moving on up, now...
:05:52. > :05:54.So the Devils are just two wins away from another trophy and finally,
:05:55. > :06:02.Yes, it really does feel like we are back in the '90s.
:06:03. > :06:05.Still to come, former Wales internationals Iwan Roberts
:06:06. > :06:08.and Danny Gabbidon give their on Wales' performances
:06:09. > :06:14.against Ukraine and Northern Ireland ahead of Euro 2016.
:06:15. > :06:17.The way we play, we're set up very well for tournament football.
:06:18. > :06:21.Hard to beat, we've got the pace and the power on the counterattack
:06:22. > :06:27.and I think that can serve you very well in tournament football.
:06:28. > :06:29.The clocks have gone forward, spring is in the air
:06:30. > :06:33.and the new cricket season is upon us and it is probably fair
:06:34. > :06:36.to say that Glamorgan will start this new season with renewed
:06:37. > :06:41.optimism under the guidance of new head coach Robert Croft
:06:42. > :06:43.and with last night's news that club legend Alan Jones
:06:44. > :06:53.It's a new dawn at Glamorgan County Cricket Club.
:06:54. > :06:56.Calmer waters, it seems, off the pitch and a new head coach
:06:57. > :07:05.A new role but a more than familiar face.
:07:06. > :07:07.I realise the responsibility that goes with the job.
:07:08. > :07:10.I also realise how many people would love to do this job.
:07:11. > :07:16.When I looked at why, it was because I know that there's
:07:17. > :07:19.an academy system that is well set, well in place.
:07:20. > :07:24.Off the field, as well, there are good people,
:07:25. > :07:28.a sound balance between business and cricket.
:07:29. > :07:32.And also, when I look from the playing side of it,
:07:33. > :07:34.there's a group of players there that are ambitious and capable.
:07:35. > :07:40.It's always nice chatting cricket to Crofty.
:07:41. > :07:43.He always challenges your mindset in terms of how you want to go
:07:44. > :07:47.about your game and I think for him, it is also a new chapter
:07:48. > :07:49.in his coaching career and something he is really looking forward to.
:07:50. > :07:52.The big thing is, I think, when he walks into the dressing
:07:53. > :07:56.room, there is definitely a bit of respect for him,
:07:57. > :08:02.so I think we can expect some big things from him.
:08:03. > :08:04.Robert's, you know, part of the furniture.
:08:05. > :08:06.Obviously he has been one of the best players
:08:07. > :08:10.He has had the experience recently of spending some time
:08:11. > :08:12.with the England squad as well, which I know he really enjoyed
:08:13. > :08:15.and learned a lot from and, you know, these young players
:08:16. > :08:20.He's got a great track record over a long period of time at Glamorgan
:08:21. > :08:22.and he is somebody that is really looking forward to working
:08:23. > :08:26.with and supporting our young players.
:08:27. > :08:29.Having benefited from having a large part of their debt written off
:08:30. > :08:33.by its main creditors, the club have announced an operating
:08:34. > :08:38.profit for 2015, thanks in part to staging an Ashes Test.
:08:39. > :08:41.Glamorgan are now seeking a return to the top division of county
:08:42. > :08:48.It'll be a little bit tougher this year, there is only one county
:08:49. > :08:50.going up but that doesn't necessarily mean we
:08:51. > :08:54.We had a good first half of last season and then tailed away.
:08:55. > :08:56.I think this year, slightly bigger squad, everyone has got
:08:57. > :09:01.I think if we can take our form for the first of last season
:09:02. > :09:07.there's no reason why the top spot can't be ours.
:09:08. > :09:10.It's not made any easier by the fact that only one team
:09:11. > :09:14.is going to be promoted this year, but we are excited, we got a good
:09:15. > :09:17.blend of youth and experience and, you know, I think we certainly want
:09:18. > :09:20.as we do in the other two competitions.
:09:21. > :09:23.We played a very strong brand of cricket last year,
:09:24. > :09:26.we won four games in a row, which I think would have given
:09:27. > :09:29.the guys a bit of belief that we can actually achieve something
:09:30. > :09:32.and we actually had a small squad last year, so in regards to that,
:09:33. > :09:35.I think we have got to be focused on trying to get promotion.
:09:36. > :09:38.Our depth in our squad this year is also a lot better.
:09:39. > :09:41.What I want is players in that dressing room,
:09:42. > :09:44.as well, enjoying other people's success.
:09:45. > :09:47.You know, we are here to produce successful team on the field,
:09:48. > :09:54.representing Glamorgan and representing Wales,
:09:55. > :09:57.yes, but part of the responsibility as well is to try and develop
:09:58. > :10:02.We have talent within the squad, but so does every team.
:10:03. > :10:05.What is important is that I see ambition in the eyes of the players
:10:06. > :10:08.that are representing Glamorgan and, yes, to play well for us
:10:09. > :10:11.but ambition as well to walk out on the field representing England,
:10:12. > :10:17.which I have always said for a long time is like the British Lions.
:10:18. > :10:26.With little over a fortnight to go ahead of their opening
:10:27. > :10:27.County Championship fixture of the season, pre-season
:10:28. > :10:31.Somerset the current opponents, over three days.
:10:32. > :10:34.My ambition is to make the most out of every individual and make
:10:35. > :10:37.My ambition is is to make the ability...
:10:38. > :10:39.It is everybody that is here representing Glamorgan.
:10:40. > :10:42.There is no doubt that you need more than just going out
:10:43. > :10:44.there with the ambition of making Wales proud,
:10:45. > :10:47.because you have to focus on what you are doing,
:10:48. > :10:54.but ultimately it is something that we would like to achieve.
:10:55. > :10:57.With Euro 2016 drawing ever nearer, what kind of shape are Wales in
:10:58. > :11:02.Here are the thoughts of former Wales internationals
:11:03. > :11:14.Dan, on the back of our two friendlies against Northern Ireland
:11:15. > :11:18.and Ukraine, what have we learned, if anything, from those two games?
:11:19. > :11:23.I think the first game was tough for the manager to get
:11:24. > :11:38.I think the fringe players that kind of came into didn't really perform
:11:39. > :11:40.that well to put a thought in the manager's mind,
:11:41. > :11:42.but the Ukraine game was a lot better.
:11:43. > :11:45.You could see, obviously going back to the normal formation,
:11:46. > :11:47.a few more of the mainstay players in the team.
:11:48. > :11:50.It was a much better performance and one or two players coming in,
:11:51. > :11:53.the likes of Emyr Huws did very well, Jonny Williams
:11:54. > :11:57.There was certainly more to take out of the Ukraine game and,
:11:58. > :11:59.you know, it has got myself thinking a little bit,
:12:00. > :12:02.one or two places up for grabs now whereas a few weeks ago,
:12:03. > :12:07.We can't depend on Gareth to get all the goals.
:12:08. > :12:09.I'd put Tom Bradshaw before Tom Lawrence.
:12:10. > :12:11.Look at his goal-scoring record, 27 goals in 63 league appearances
:12:12. > :12:19.What did he come on for, the last 15 minutes, was it?
:12:20. > :12:25.And I saw enough in those 20 minutes to think he has got a chance
:12:26. > :12:28.As you said, he looks like a natural goal-scorer.
:12:29. > :12:31.We don't really have too many of them in the squad.
:12:32. > :12:33.I thought his movement was good, he looked lively when he come
:12:34. > :12:38.Someone asked me, do I take eight defenders,
:12:39. > :12:41.eight midfielders and sacrifice a forward and just take four
:12:42. > :12:46.My original squad, I think I had eight defenders in,
:12:47. > :12:50.Does that mean you had Dummett in there?
:12:51. > :12:53.Yeah, I think I had Dummett in, but I actually totally
:12:54. > :12:57.I think they are very versatile, all the defenders, they can play
:12:58. > :12:59.in different positions, so I think Chris Coleman might
:13:00. > :13:03.I think five strikers going to the tournament
:13:04. > :13:09.Friendlies, now, I don't know if you feel like me,
:13:10. > :13:13.I don't get too carried away with it all and I don't get too disappointed
:13:14. > :13:15.when we lose them, really, because it's not about the result,
:13:16. > :13:17.it's about the performance and I still maintain,
:13:18. > :13:20.mate, that with everybody fit, we are more than capable of
:13:21. > :13:27.You know, you put Bale and Ramsey into that Ukraine performance and,
:13:28. > :13:31.you know, I think we probably win that game.
:13:32. > :13:33.From a defender's point of view, I was probably looking at it...
:13:34. > :13:38.The defensive side of things, with those two not playing,
:13:39. > :13:41.and I thought we were very good defensively, so hopefully
:13:42. > :13:44.we will get Bale, get Ramsey back, firing, put them into the 11
:13:45. > :13:47.and the way we play, we set up very well
:13:48. > :13:52.Hard to beat, we've got the pace and the power on the counterattack
:13:53. > :13:55.and, you know, I think that can serve you very well
:13:56. > :14:03.You too, mate. Take care of yourself.
:14:04. > :14:06.Now, Wales will have a strong presence in Team GB at this year's
:14:07. > :14:09.Paralympic Games in Rio, just as they did in
:14:10. > :14:12.London four years ago - and once again, one of our most
:14:13. > :14:15.experienced competitors will be there.
:14:16. > :14:22.Not far from Pontypridd, in the former mining village
:14:23. > :14:27.of Beddau, there is a very special tribute to one of their own.
:14:28. > :14:31.Paralympic bronze medallist Sara Head.
:14:32. > :14:34.What does it mean to you to be recognised by the community
:14:35. > :14:40.And I'm so lucky, I'm so lucky to have everyone's support.
:14:41. > :14:44.My community has been my scaffolding.
:14:45. > :14:48.They pick me up and build me up when I am down and they are there
:14:49. > :14:53.I became disabled when I was 15 and it was a difficult time,
:14:54. > :14:57.it was dark times for me and sport is what came and saved me
:14:58. > :15:00.A guy came into school, got me involved in wheelchair
:15:01. > :15:05.basketball and then it all moved on from there.
:15:06. > :15:11.So how did the move to table tennis come about?
:15:12. > :15:17.Well, I was at a wheelchair basketball event and I met
:15:18. > :15:19.a boyfriend who played for the Great Britain table tennis
:15:20. > :15:21.team, and at that point, finding out it was rather
:15:22. > :15:24.competitive, went through TTAW, Table Tennis Wales, they told me
:15:25. > :15:26.which club I could go to, took some very sneaky lessons,
:15:27. > :15:29.got hooked and now I totally adore playing and I've even beaten him
:15:30. > :15:34.And your main partner in crime is Jane Campbell.
:15:35. > :15:36.Tell me about your relationship with her, then,
:15:37. > :15:41.You know, I am so lucky to have her and she says the same
:15:42. > :15:47.We have a fantastic bond and we both want the same thing.
:15:48. > :15:50.You know, that is what is really special, we both want same
:15:51. > :15:52.thing but we both want the best for each other.
:15:53. > :15:56.So for us to have that together, we are so lucky and the friendship
:15:57. > :16:01.What are the main highlights for you so far in your career?
:16:02. > :16:03.I think, you know, it is difficult to condense all of my
:16:04. > :16:07.I've been fortunate to win 50 plus international medals.
:16:08. > :16:09.I've been European champion in the team event, with my fantastic
:16:10. > :16:13.I've been part of an incredible GB team over the years.
:16:14. > :16:17.But to win my Paralympic medal and to receive this bench,
:16:18. > :16:32.With Rio only months away she is busy training for the second
:16:33. > :16:36.Paralympics. At the moment we are still working on intensity and
:16:37. > :16:43.consistency, working on movement and recovery and table tennis fitness.
:16:44. > :16:46.We may go to Slovenia and the back year for some competitions and then
:16:47. > :16:53.we will see where we are and come back and ramp up the intensity a lot
:16:54. > :16:57.more. What about your chair in particular? Any modifications for
:16:58. > :17:02.playing the game? We sit as tall as we can so we have big coercion is
:17:03. > :17:09.but one of my modifications is that I have when my wheels go around, if
:17:10. > :17:12.I flicked this lock it allows me to move the wheels back and forth while
:17:13. > :17:17.remaining in a stable position so that I can lean and reach for the
:17:18. > :17:26.ball without worrying about the chair. It is so fast, have you ever
:17:27. > :17:31.fallen out of the chair? I have been close but fortunately I tend to fall
:17:32. > :17:37.over the table more. Months to go now until the big event, what's the
:17:38. > :17:44.goal? The goal in Rio is to go out and do myself and everyone proud and
:17:45. > :17:48.really know when I've worked hard. It will be the highest level we can
:17:49. > :17:57.compete at but for me my dream would be bringing back another medal. Not
:17:58. > :18:02.many get to compete on the biggest age but now to a tournament that
:18:03. > :18:06.means the winners get to play at the Principality Stadium. Football teams
:18:07. > :18:11.from minority groups in Cardiff have been taking part in a competition
:18:12. > :18:18.set up by the police, the community cohesion cup. Sport Wales went to
:18:19. > :18:22.meet them. The cohesion cup, a football competition celebrated by
:18:23. > :18:25.diverse communities living in Wales. It is the first tournament with
:18:26. > :18:32.different communities coming together to play in one tournament.
:18:33. > :18:37.The Kurdish community... Cohesion wise it has been a big positive. I
:18:38. > :18:42.was asked to put on a charity game in 2014, playing against the
:18:43. > :18:50.Sudanese. It was such a success that we thought it would the good to make
:18:51. > :18:57.it bigger and better. There are now a couple more teams playing this
:18:58. > :19:00.year. The relationship between the police and young people doesn't
:19:01. > :19:09.always... It's not always positive within certain communities. I think
:19:10. > :19:15.this sort of tournament has taken down barriers and created better
:19:16. > :19:20.communication in the community, especially with young people. It was
:19:21. > :19:25.my first encounter with the police, I normally see them day-to-day on
:19:26. > :19:27.the streets, but we are seeing a different insight into their
:19:28. > :19:35.personalities and who they are, they seem like human beings. Hopefully
:19:36. > :19:42.this will be the start of something concrete between us. The Somaliland
:19:43. > :19:50.team had beaten six other squads to face the South Wales Police select
:19:51. > :19:57.11 including format professionals. Last year the police defeated the
:19:58. > :20:00.Yemeni team. The boys have worked hard to get here and obviously it's
:20:01. > :20:39.a great occasion. Hopefully we the back. You have the experience.
:20:40. > :20:44.You are going to have to start talking to him, pulling the strings.
:20:45. > :20:50.You do this week in week out. That is where we are going to win the
:20:51. > :20:54.game. After 12 matches played by over 120 players it has come down to
:20:55. > :20:59.the Somaliland 11 taking on the police, watched by over 600
:21:00. > :21:05.spectators. It's all about understanding the communities and
:21:06. > :22:43.understanding them, they understand us, building bridges and confidence.
:22:44. > :22:45.understanding them, they understand to give them a better game. That's
:22:46. > :22:49.it from Sport Wales for this week, good luck to the Cardiff Devils this
:22:50. > :23:00.weekend, it would be nice to see some silverware.
:23:01. > :23:07.# Someone should have told me all the rules
:23:08. > :23:13.# April Fools # Now I'm your fool
:23:14. > :23:23.# April Fools # April Fools
:23:24. > :23:25.# It wasn't many days ago we met # And I believe in every word you
:23:26. > :23:29.said