Athletics: Uwic stars turn on the power to please Sean

Jul 21 2007 by Bob Cypher, South Wales Echo

SEVEN athletes, six finalists and two gold medals – that’s the proud record boasted by Uwic director of athletics Sean Power.

And although he has had a personal hand in some of this success, Power is quick to point out that other coaches Darrell Maynard, Scott Simpson and Gareth Lease share much of the credit for the university’s successes at the European Under-23 championships in Hungary last weekend.

“I don’t think there’s another university in the UK who can match us,” claims Power.

“Dai Greene and Gary White won gold medals with personal best performances.

“Louise Butterworth and Emma Lyons both equalled their pole vault pbs and Sharon Heveran, who was competing for Ireland, jumped higher than she has all season.”

As a result of his performance in Debrecen, White has been selected for the World University Games in Thailand starting at the beginning of August, and therefore joins Richard Hill who was chosen in the first wave of selections.

“This has to be the most outstanding all-round set of achievements for Uwic on the major championships stage in what is one of the most difficult sports in which to achieve honours,” added Power.

And he is keen to show how he and his coaching staff have improved athletes’ performances or, in some cases, encouraged them to switch sports to great effect.

“None of the six athletes featured anywhere on the national radar prior to arriving at the university,” he points out.

“For instance Gary White arrived as a lowly ranked triple jumper who had never been coached by a specialist coach – now he is European Champion.”

Power is to retire next year but feels his legacy is there for all to see, adding: “The results from last week are a real testament to the hard work of athletes and coaches alike, and what can be achieved if we are able to maintain the blessed environment of quality facilities, athletes and coaches all in the same space.

“I can only hope that this trend continues, to ensure the future is structured and resourced effectively in order to maintain these levels of excellence.”