26/10/2012 Sport Wales

This programme contains strong Welcomed where here tomorrow

afternoon, Swansea City take on Manchester City. More on that later

and plenty more besides on tonight's programmes. We

investigate the level of racism in Welsh football. The higher power is

needed to do more, they should set the example. We are in a camp with

the Wales rugby league team ahead of their clash with England.

There's always a lot of passion in these games. I don't think this

will be any different. It is back to school for full-back Ben Davies.

It has been unbelievable, just to make my professional debut and get

regular games is all I could have hoped for. First, the story that

has been dominating the headlines this past week - racism in football

and the refusal of Swansea City players and other figures to wear

T-shirts supporting the campaign, kicked it out. We have been getting

the use of Welsh players who have suffered abuse as well as

uncovering some disturbing claims of racism affecting Welsh football.

This storm has been raging for 12 months ever since John Terry was

accused of racially abusing Ferdinand. He was acquitted in

court but found guilty by the FA and banned for four games. Then

really was banned for eight matches. Last week, allegations that races

is chance against Danny Rose. Then her refusal to wear the T-shirt by

some big names and to the entire Swansea's court over a perceived

lack of progress in tackling the issue, supported by some Welsh

players who suffered abuse themselves. The Higher Powers,

these other guys who should be taking notice. We want more done

about it. From the top. We have been told about the red cards and

they are worried about your socks being the same colour, all these

stupid little rules but the main things about racism - these are the

things we should focus on and the guys at the top, they are the ones

who need to show the example. anti- racism campaigners in Wales

were unhappy last week. What upset as the most was that players

couldn't differentiate between the work we do and other organisations.

We are independent charity and work with hundreds of schools across

Wales over the past few years. Thousands of kids. They don't

understand the work we do and how important it is. The organisation

told us there are frequent cases of racism at grassroots level in Wales.

This man claims he was abused on several occasions here as a player.

I had one when I was playing for Bridgend where a player shouted at

me. 18 months ago when I was playing. At half-time, walking into

the changing rooms, I had a bit of banter with some of the players on

the opposite side and the fans are all round, quite close to us. One

of the other players decided to call me a black beak. Anyone found

guilty which had been dismissed but the players are denied anyone had

abused him. They said they investigated straightaway and found

the remark was made by a supporter, not a player. Book clubs stressed

they abhor racism. I reported it to the FA hoping that something would

happen. Nothing happened at all. All players are asking for is that

something is done, at least investigated, but if we feel that

no matter what we do, it is going to be brushed under the carpet,

because nobody wants to tackle it. In response, they stressed they

have zero tolerance towards racism and said the incident was brought

to the attention of them but nobody provided evidence to support the

allegation. They say the Games in question don't have cameras to

capture the abuse but since 2007 there have been four charges of

abuse, to proven. They also said they were investigating an

allegation of abuse towards a young boy in a junior team. There seems

to be horrific abuse towards him from other clubs. There are parents

involved and dare I say it, it seems there is a possibility of

people at the clubs or players involved with the situation, so

there are instances and situations out there in real terms and they

have to be looked at and taken seriously. Far too often, things

have been swept under the carpet. We need to know what support

organisations have made. Racism allegations made last week against

Serbia, which they deny, brought back painful memories for Robert,

he was racially abused on duty in that country in nine years ago.

There are or chance about monkeys and bananas thrown. We have

experienced all that. We try to block it out but it affects you

because it is something that is so deep. The previous day, Brown was

abused while captaining the under 21s. It was supposed to be a good

occasion for me and my family but it ended up being the worst day in

my football career. I was the only black player on the pitch and every

time I got the ball, 9000 people felt that they would stand up and

do monkey signs and a chance for 90 minutes. Coming off, I rang my mum

and I cried on the phone. I was angry, hurt. If Serbia are found

guilty of these allegations, what punishment do you think they should

receive? I think they should take points off them. You should not

throw them out completely, it is not the whole of Serbia, this is

not hit against the whole of Serbia because there are international

players who are good people and they are not racists. Cardiff City

say their players will wear the T- shirts before their match against

Burnley tomorrow. This week the Professional Footballers'

Association issued a six-point plan aimed at tackling racism while

there is talk about a separate black players' association. We have

Chinese players, Korean and players, Muslims, Arabs, all these different

things so I don't think that is a good thing, that doesn't ticket

fraud. It takes it back because then you bring in more racism

because you are categorising whether you are or white people or

black people. All we want is someone to come in who has a voice,

he is not scared to voice their opinion, to let everyone else know

that you cannot just hand out fines. You're never going to kick racism

out completely, I don't think it will ever happen, but you can

minimise it so it is as small as it can be. It is a good thing that the

media has discovered this over the last few weeks because without all

the media attention, it would still be the same in 10 years' time.

Back to the big game now. Most Premiership clouds -- clubs have an

international flavour and Swansea is no exception but 19 year-old

full-back Ben Davies is from just down the road and has grabbed

chances with club and country in two short months. We went to meet

him when he visited his old school. Two months ago, Ben Davies had

never played a game of first-team rugby. This week he returned to his

old school as a Welsh international. It has been under -- unbelievable,

to make my professional debut and get ready to games, it is all I

could have hoped for. He is is just 10 miles from the home of the swans

but it is definitely oval ball country. Be it is definitely more

of a rugby school. I played more rugby definitely than any football.

People tell me you are a decent 10 as well, rugby wise? I thought I

did a job at this school although football was always my priority.

could quite easily have gone on as a rugby -- football professional.

He has been that Swansea City since he was nine years of age, by which

time he was already at fanatic. have always followed the swans. I

used to go down with my friends when I was younger and watch the

games will stop to be out on the pitch wearing that Jersey is a

dream come true. He is still under development contract that he signed

in the summer and had a modest expectations ahead of the new

season. I was hoping perhaps I would get the odd appearance here

and there but then it down the line after a terrible injury, at the

time, I first game, I had to do my best against some of the best

players in the world. Every time I see Neil Taylor, someone like that,

it is great to have him there are offering advice to make. Despite

drafting in another player, the manager has kept faith in the

youngster. What does he tell you? Just to keep doing what I am doing

and he said I will only get better from playing these games and I

think he must be happy with what he has seen so far otherwise he would

not keep including the in the team. He knows he still has a lot to

learn. Maybe too fast in three months, he knows he still has a lot

to do. That is very positive. is the better player? Michael,

100%! In what sense? The experience he has got and how well he reads

things, it is all through playing the game and you can tell he still

has so much ability. Maybe his legs gone, I would not run him around

the pitch. The 19 year-old has started every single match since

his first chance and to top it off, he made his international debut

against Scotland. The game for Wales was a great moment in my life

so far, just to be out there are singing the anthem for my country,

it was unbelievable and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

Next, the star studded line-up of Manchester City and an opportunity

to test himself against some of the best players in the world.

Unbelievable that I am competing against those kind of players. At

the end of the day, it is happening now and I have to work hard and see

what happens. I do think quite a few people fancy as to cause an

upset tomorrow. Last season and we walked away with a 1-0 win. And

besides, we got a good result against. We have a good chance

going up there, hopefully we will get a result. It will not be easy

to stay the same person because I have seen the car park and the

blink summer players wear. Off- course but I cannot see me turning

up every day like you see that footballers in the papers, I am

quite happy to live my life and be happy with what I am doing and at

the end of the day, what comes with football, I might get a few

luxuries but I don't want a change as a person and coming back to

places like this shows me who I am The I have probably enjoyed it more

than a prolonged time because the pressure is off. It is like going

back in time from before I became professional. Normally I would be

called Williams but for some reason a lot of the youngsters now are

calling me Mr shame. Great to see him enjoying Japan. This summer's

Olympics saw much debate on Wales's involvement in a Team GB football

side. But basketball authorities have now pulled the plug on

permanently linking up with England and Scotland is to form a Great

Britain team. Two-and-a-half months on from the

London 2012 closing ceremony, and the post-Olympic blow is starting

to fade. In British basketball, the harmonious outlook of the past six

years has hit the buffers. Basketball Wales had decided to opt

out of the Great Britain team, leaving England and Scotland

forming Team GB. It retains a Welsh national side but the move has not

been welcomed by the governing body. I want to be the best basketball

player and if I am the best I want to play in the best competition.

Wales has decided not to. You have to have a leap of faith, in those

matches, you have to believe this is the way forward for basketball

in your country. The for the good of Wales and

players, it wasn't the right time to sign away independent membership

and the opportunity for our players to take part in meaningful European

competition. While Great Britain finished 9th at

the Olympic Games, playing against the world's elite, earlier in the

summer, the Welsh side were 5th out at seven teams playing in the

European Championships for small countries.

The key question here is whether basketball way as a practising self

preservation or isolationism. are looking after the national team

but is that to the detriment of individual aspirations? If we were

amazed that the decision in Wales. We have a lot of support and we

don't want to be the place hated from a basketball standpoint, and

unfortunately that is what's going to happen. No disrespect to Wales

but they will never play at the top table by themselves, and it is

quite absurd that they made this decision. I actually agree with the

decision because if we had linked up with England and Scotland and

become British basketball, we would have given up our nationality is.

Although it is not such a high standard as British basketball,

there is still a level they can aspire to, and even if they --

imagine if they said they would take away the Welsh national team

because they have the Lions. There would be a hue and cry. In the last

40 years, one player has made the British under 20 team.

difference in class between this team and battered the Olympics is

so large it is practically The but they aren't about to give

that up to form Team GB. It is a pity but not a surprise, and

certainly, there are some points you can't argue. You can say, is it

better for a number of players to play in a lower division all for

one talent to play in the British game, in my view it is that one

talent. It would be better to be part of something bigger than

trying to close yourself on yourself and avoid it, hoping the

storm passes by. This storm is not negative, it is as an army of

basketball popularity, which will go through whatever one wants to

block or defend his interests, it will not stop. It will put them in

a difficult position to stay in in the long run, and the more time

goes by, the less choices they will have. The Olympics are the zenith

of the international games. Great Britain now have a seat at the top

table, but the actions of basketball Wales mean no Welsh

players will be welcomed. I would think if we are not part of it, I

would find it strange if we were allowed to play in it. We won't

give away -- we want our players to take part in European competition

and not just Friendly's. But those actions would stop someone playing

at the Olympics? It may stop one of two players from attaining, it is

highly unlikely over the next four years. We are content with the

backing and the funding to build Welsh players. The man in charge of

the Association has said there is a scenario -- Maxim army coming your

way and you would get out of the way of the unstoppable concept.

are all taking swimming lessons at this moment in time. With regard to

a wave, I have all respect for Patrick. With support and as a

nation, we can build a steady programme for our players, and the

need for the players to play in meaningful competition. To us,

divisions see is meaningful, and I don't believe we will be left in

the woods. -- division at sea. What support we can build and it will be

M -- would be remiss of us to take away that opportunity for the sake

of one or two players Max to play Something a little different for

you now: Last weekend we send former Olympic and Commonwealth 400

-- 400 metre runner Iwan Thomas to the coast to find out about an

event which mixes sport and You may think I am in sunny

California, and you would be 100 per cent wrong. I'm in Porthcawl,

but it is as beautiful a place. I am for the first ever splash up

It is a fantastic weekend down here. You are heavily involved with the

serving side of things as President of the Welsh surfing Federation.

How proud I you to see youngsters having a try out this weekend?

is marvellous. Obviously myself and the older guys have been involved

for quite a while, we have enjoyed it and been fortunate to trouble

over the world with it. Yes, it is different, but it is a good thing,

you are out in the elements, it This was the base for the surfing

events, and the Life Guards had their very own Iron man competition.

But trust me, this was tough, it involved paddling, swimming and

So, some, first event, and you are the winner. Yes. A brilliant event

put on down here. The weather has turned out really nice. You have

local knowledge because you live around here. Yes. I also run a surf

Club here for the juniors in the summer so we are here every day

coaching, so we know the place Very bizarre bumping into you

Nicole, walking along here. I didn't know you were a surf chick.

I make the most of it Wenham back. I grew up just down the road in

Wick, and the bitch -- beaches are It's nice to do other things in my

off season, and there is so much to It has been a great event, I take a

lot of hard work and planning has gone into it. We feel sport for

kids is important, so we need to make sure at there are

opportunities through the local authority to make sure kids can

take part. There was lots going on in the town and the Esplanade as

well, with plenty to keep everybody entertained, perhaps get involved.

The afternoon activities have finished, unfortunately, the serve

wasn't brilliant. We are hoping for night-time surfing, but one thing

is for certain, the atmosphere will You were going to serve tonight but

you have a damaged back. You have a nice tasker been a judge. That's

right. I will use the years of experience and see what the guys

can do in the conditions. This is the first time we have run a might

serve event in Wales. It promises to have a good future but we want

to encourage youngsters and get them to come along and get into the

Welsh surfing Federation, which is a stepping-stone for grassroots and

competitive surfing. What will it take to win it? Knowing your bra

there is one of the judges? -- your Whoever get the lucky wave will do

the business. This is really novel, I have never been asked an event

like this. It is like Grand Slams Once we started running the final,

a couple of waves came through, I thought we might be able to give

our eye on other boards, but it was just fun, enjoying serving in the

Having my the whole family judging tonight wouldn't have helped. All

good fun, the boys having a good time, and that's what it's all

about at the end of the day. serve has hardly been California

style, but you know what, I can't fault the atmosphere. Young, old,

everybody has been truly inspired by this event. The Cadet -- we cut

it. This is what it is all about. Getting young people to it get

involved in sport. Long may it continue.

It is a year until Wales kick-off their rugby league World Cup

campaign against Italy in Cardiff. This weekend, they take on England

in the second autumn Test. So will the current crop emulate the class

of 1995 and reach the World Cup final, which will be played here at

Reaching the semi-finals in 1995 was the high point of what

contributions to the World Cup. Under the flag of Great Britain,

Billy Boston and Clive Sullivan lifted the trophy. As a separate

country, Wales have played three times. A third-place finish in 75...

Semi-finalists in 95, and again in But having failed to qualify for

the World Cup in 2008, rebuilding has begun under the familiar faces

of Les -- Iestyn Harris and Lee Briers. Haris's first season in

charge saw Wales win the European Championship and qualify for the

four nations, but against the Kangaroos, Kiwis and England they

found it tough. We are about learning to play at this level of

intensity, and what we need to try and get out team prepared to do is

learn to improve and tweak and are just things. We know we are on low

budgets and we are building nation, we need to keep working hard. Once

we get success we will get more sponsorship, and until that happens,

we will be in the second year of rugby league. In June, Wales lost

to France in Wrexham. Last weekend they went down again in a physical

matches. I got there first cap -- you got the first cap out of the

way. How was that? I really enjoyed it. I was over the moon to go out

against France. Making my debut against a team like France was

really good. The Welsh Super League cyber Crusaders only lasted three

years before going out of business. Their longer term legacy is a base

of players, the squads and the 70 - - of the Seventies and Nineties

filled with union, -- converts. Last weekend's 90 man squad

contained nine home-grown players. -- 90 man. In 99 and 2000 when I

was involved, ultimately we have good players around us, but we

scratch the surface and there was nothing else coming through and no

real infrastructure in place before Wales' rugby league. What we have

tried to do over the last four or five years his book that

infrastructure in. They are coming through the systems. We have people

playing rugby league for the last three or four years, and we have

them at the top of the international season now. If they

can do that in three or four years, give it another four or five years

and the future looks good. Next year wales face is to leap -- Italy,

the USA and the Cook Islands for more cost -- at quarter finals, and

another world semi-final is a possibility. They will all be

together, 12 months older, knowing assistance to play, and we are

building, we have never had this before as the country. We have

always turned up and played but now we have a fantastic set-up as the

country deserves. Is the World Cup a big tempting thing for you guys?

It is massive for us. We are spared -- inspired. We want to be in the

top three or four in 2017. We want to be up there with the likes of

Australia and England. This time next year we will be in a position

where we have played the best four teams in the world consistently for

the last two years, which means we should be very well prepared come

the start of the World Cup. England this weekend, even without man of

sit -- man of Steel some Tomkins will be a tough prospect. Wales

having beaten them in 17 years and few would bet on it being different

tomorrow. They have world-class players in their teens, so for as

boys it will be a massive challenge. We have Boys Under 20, amateur

players, it will be a massive ask for us, but we have a lot of pride

as a side, and we will give it to them and make sure they are in the

game. There is always a lot of passion between England and Wales

games, and this will be no different. All the players in

groups -- in the group are beginning to understand what is

required of them, and part of that is to have heart and desire, so I

think we will see that in abundance this weekend. And very best of luck