Niamh is a surfing and soccer star!

 

Niamh Mathias is a talented young sporting lady and the 14 year old is already making a name for herself in the unusual mix of girls' football and surfing.

 

She plays as a striker for Johnston and her ability to find the net at regular intervals has earned her a place as the only Pembrokeshire player in the West Wales Performance squad which is held under the auspices of Swansea City at the Elba Sports Complex in Gowerton.

 

 

But her surfing credentials are equally as impressive because Niamh has already won the British Nationals title for her age group and if she can maintain her current rate of progress has genuine aspirations to gain selection for Great Britain in the European Championships since she has another four years in the under 18 category.

 

 

On the football front, Niamh has been inspired by Angharad James and her ambition is to follow Angharad into the Welsh senior squad when she is older. She started out in football when she attended fun football sessions with Tracy Parkes at the Meads Leisure Centre and at seven joined Neyland girls. When they were disbanded she moved to Johnston, where she captained the under 14s in the season just gone by and helped them win the silverware at the tournament held in Tenby. They beat Pennar Robins Girls by 2-0 in the final and Niamh scored both goals.

 

 

Her performances earned Niamh selection for the West Wales Performance squad and it shows how committed Niamh is because her family has to take her to Gowerton every week for the Wednesday evening coaching sessions, as well as surfing almost every day of the year. She has already played against the likes of Cardiff City and Swindon Town and says that after defeat in both she now knows just how much work there is ahead for the squad!

 

Early surfing start and great success

 

Niamh started out in surfing when she joined some friends at the Masterclass Surf School in Newgale and took to it straight away - and in her first event as the only girl in the Welsh Nationals for boys and girls at under 12 level she came a very creditable third place!

 

As Niamh continued to improve she performed even better last year when she travelled to the British Nationals in New Quay, Cornwall for under 14 girls. She was really pleased when she won in her heat and even more delighted when she won her semi-final - and was absolutely thrilled when she won the final to become the British National Champion at under 14 level for girls.

 

 

The surfing competitions involve four judges on land who give marks based on balance, style, technique and special moves, and competitors have to be very fit and have had rehearsed their moves, which demands a great deal of practice. Niamh trains almost every day throughout the year, in all conditions, with total support from parents Charlotte and Matthew, who ferry her wherever there is good surf, at varying times of the day from 8 am to 8pm, like Newgale or Freshwater West, and stay near the shoreline whilst she trains hard. The immediate family is completed by brother Jack (12), who is also a keen surfer as well as being involved in rugby at Haverfordwest.

 

 

Her efforts are certainly paying off because this year saw Niamh compete in the Welsh Nationals at under 18 and despite being easily the youngest competitor reached the final at Freshwater West before coming fourth. At the same event Niamh also entered the ladies' competition and won her heat, only to be disqualified on a technicality in the semi final.

"It seemed quite harsh at the time but is all part of Niamh's learning curve,” said mum Charlotte, who is the secretary of the Pembrokeshire Coast Surf Club and a former wind surfer.

 

 

Niamh competed in the British Schools' Championships at Bude, Cornwall, and came a creditable third against older girls. She and Jack also joined Rhys Evans in representing Ysgol y Preseli in the team event and they came fifth out of 29 competing schools. Her form has meant that she has been selected for the Welsh Junior Squad and her aim is selection for the European Championships. This means accumulating points at a range of venues but Niamh is ready for the challenge and her parents are totally committed to all the travel involved.

 

So it seems that Niamh Mathias is set for success in both her sports although there might come a time when she will have to focus fully on one. It will mean a big loss for the other one but there is one thing for surer – and that is the fact that we are sure to hear a great deal more about this fantastic young sporting miss in the future because she has that potent mix of talent and commitment that is vital for real success!