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Team Announcement - Home Nations and Celtics Cross Country

UK HOME NATIONS AND CELTIC CROSS CHALLENGE.jpeg

05/02/2026 00:00, In Blog /

Congratulations to the 30 athletes selected to represent Welsh Athletics at the Home Nations and Celtic Cross Country on Saturday February 7, Parliament Hill, London.

The Home Nations and Celtics Cross Country is one of our largest teams, with athletes from the U17 age group through to seniors competing for Wales on the same day. It provides a great opportunity for some our of most promising endurance athletes to test themselves against other representative teams from across Britain and Ireland. As well as challenging our athletes to be the best in Wales, we also challenge them to be the best in Britain and internationally. This race gives a great opportunity for athletes to see where they are and where they are looking to continue to progress to. I look forward to seeing how the team does, and wish everyone representing Wales the best of luck.

 

I would also like to thank our team managers who do a brilliant job supporting our selected athletes, and without whom we would be unable to support such teams. Additionally I would like to thank our coaches who give up countless hours to support athletes to help them develop and progress to being the best athletes they can be

Steve Mitchell - National Talent Development Coordinator - Endurance

Senior Men

Athlete Club Coach
Luca Messenger-Jones The University of Edinburgh Hare and Hounds Jonny Whan
Larry Ryan Belgrave Harriers AC Self Coached
Daniel Kashi Meirionnydd Running Club Self Coached
Matthew Grantham Parc Bryn bach Running Club Rich Brady

Senior Women

Athlete Club Coach
Eden O'Dea Deeside AAC Neil Edwards
Beth Rawlinson Wolverhampton and Bilston Matthew Seddon
Mia Roberts Deeside AAC Neil Edwards
Rhiannon Paton Westbury Harriers/Oxford Uni Matthew Seddon

U23 Men

Athlete Club Coach
Cian Harold Pontypridd Roadents James Thie
Matt Benson Maldwyn Harriers Dave Peters
Ed Slaughter Swansea Harriers Marc Hobbs

U23 Women

Athlete Club Coach
Beth Rawlinson Wolverhampton and Bilston Matthew Seddon
Ceri Griffiths Newport Harriers Jonny Whab
Jessica Hyland Camarthen Harriers Carol Jones

U20 Men

Athlete Club Coach
Iwan Thomas Camarthen Harriers Neil Thomas
Rhys Pladdy Cardiff Athletics Steve Knight and Sean Price
Lewis Davies Deeside AAC Neil Edwards
Sam Griffiths Camarthen Harriers Neil Thomas

U20 Women

Athlete Club Coach
Bryony Boyce Cardiff AAC James Thie
Holly Humphreys Swansea Harriers Tony Clements
Heather Watson Deeside AAC Neil Edwards
Millie Pierce Swansea Harriers Tony Clements

U17 Men

Athlete Club Coach
Zac Campbell Deeside AAC Neil Edwards
Nate Greig Bridgend AC Dale Rixon
Jack Griffiths Swansea Harriers Tony Clements
Dylan Powell Rhymney Valley AC Deborah Howells

U17 Women

Athlete Club Coach
Sali Owen Carmarthen Harriers Carol Jones
Aimee Porter Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers Jeremy Sothcott
Eleanor Wright-Nicholas Rhymney Valley AC Deborah Howells
Esme Lewis Bridgend Athletics Steve Summers, Gina Hardman and Dale Rixon

Support Team

Name Club Role
John Messum Menai Track and Field Team Manager
 Arwel Lewis Eryri Harriers Team Manager
Bernie Jones Cheshire Dragons Team Manager
Carol Jones Carmarthen Harriers Team Manager

Good luck to all athletes competing. Keep up-to-date with their performances on our social channels.