News

19/02/2026 00:00, In Blog /

Welsh Athletics is pleased to announce and congratulate Newport Harriers on being awarded the insport Club Bronze award. This is a significant achievement and recognises the commitment, dedication, and sustained work the club has undertaken to develop inclusive athletics provision.

Who are Newport Harriers?

Newport Harriers is an athletics club with 350 members, based in Newport, East Wales. The club is well recognised for its role in developing athletes across a wide range of track and field disciplines. It plays an important role within the local community, providing regular training opportunities to a large and diverse membership, as well as competitive opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities.

What they have done

To achieve the insport Club Bronze award, Newport Harriers completed a substantial programme of work both internally and externally. This included reviewing and strengthening club policies and procedures to ensure they aligned with insport principles and standards, and ensuring that appropriate, qualified personnel were in place to support inclusive delivery across the club.

The club also worked closely with partners and governing bodies to improve accessibility, develop inclusive coaching practices, and create welcoming environments for athletes of all abilities. This work reflects Newport Harriers’ commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive athletics environment.

Inclusion in Action

One of the athletes benefiting from this inclusive approach is Owain Terell, proudly representing Newport Harriers in club kit. His journey reflects the welcoming and supportive culture the club has worked hard to build.

Owain Terell

Parent Perspective

Rich Terrell – Parent of a Para-Athlete

When Owain first wheeled through the doors at Newport Harriers, he was made to feel welcome from the outset. He was welcomed into the normal training session as though he had always been there. As he has progressed, the club has been supportive, and as a parent, I have found the dedication, support, and enthusiasm shown by the club’s coaches and committee in developing para-athletics fantastic.

Owain is proud to be a member of the club and always takes his ‘Harriers hoodie’ to every sporting event he competes in. With the plans for the roller room and continued support from the club, I am confident the Harriers will continue to grow into a centre of excellence for para sport in South Wales.

Coach Perspective – Rhian Loudon

Rhian Loudon, who has coached at Newport Harriers for over a decade, has seen firsthand the positive impact of developing inclusive opportunities within the club.

I’ve been a coach at Newport Harriers for over a decade. In the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with teenage frame and wheelchair athletes, and I’ve learned a great deal from the athletes and their families. It’s been a lot of fun. The most memorable was when we went to Cwmcarn Scenic Drive in monsoon-like conditions to practice for the hill at the London Mini Marathon.

More para-athletes and participants would be very welcome at Newport Harriers, so athletes can have more competition and companionship in sport.

Newport Harriers should be extremely proud of this achievement, and we look forward to supporting the club as it continues its insport journey and works towards the Silver Award.

Start Your Club’s insport Journey

Find out more about how your club can start its insport Club journey: HERE