Glyndwr Uni To Develop Netball & High Altitude Training In Lesotho

Glyndŵr University will play a major role in developing netball in Lesotho and its students will have the opportunity to spend time at a high altitude training centre under a new agreement.

The university has established an action plan for its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lesotho, signed in 2013.

As the return of the Lesotho team for the Commonwealth games became a reality, other elements of the MOU agreed in 2013 will now move forward.

The plan is centred around the development of a High Altitude Training Centre, sports science and netball in Lesotho.

A scholarship, bursary and exchange programme for Glyndŵr University and the University of Lesotho’s students will also be established.

There are also plans to roll out a Dragon Sport programme in Lesotho. The scheme, led by Sport Wales, is designed to introduce children aged 7-11 to sports including athletics, cricket, tennis and football.

Details of the MOU action plan were fleshed out when Team Lesotho were training in Wrexham last month ahead of their appearance at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Professor Michael Scott, Vice-Chancellor of Glyndŵr University, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have put in place a detailed action plan to work towards.

“It has some really exciting elements to it, which will hopefully benefit our own students and the development of sport in Lesotho.

“Everyone here at Glyndŵr University and in the town of Wrexham has really taken to the warmth and enthusiasm of Lesotho as our partnership has grown over a number of years.

“We hope that this action plan proves mutually beneficial to the development of sport at Glyndŵr University and in Lesotho.”

A 26-strong team of athletes competed for Team Lesotho at Glasgow 2014 in boxing, swimming, athletics, table tennis, road cycling and mountain biking.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Wales’ relationship with Lesotho continues to go from strength to strength. We have formed strong links through our Wales for Africa programme and in 2012 committed to help the country develop its own climate change strategy, which not only makes a difference to the lives of those in Lesotho but helps our experts study the impact of climate change.”

The MOU action plan is due to be completed by 2018.

Pic: Team Lesotho at Glyndwr University ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games