People & Skills 

4 February 2025

UWTSD Athletes Thrive in Sport, Leadership and Community Impact

UWTSD sport Photo credit FinisherPix
Photo credit – FinisherPix

Three athletes from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) are excelling in their sporting disciplines and also making a meaningful impact in their communities through coaching and leadership.

Jordan Discombe, Bekka Pratt, and Emily Thomas have achieved remarkable success within their fields, thanks to their dedication and support from their clubs in particular. As members of UWTSD’s Academy of Sport Individual Sports Club, they represent the University at BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) competitions while continuing to inspire others through their leadership and volunteer efforts.

As the new year unfolds, Jordan, Emily, and Bekka’s stories inspire others to engage in physical activity and volunteerism, promoting health and well-being across communities.

Jordan is a final year Sports Therapy student at UWTSD, and also Chair of the Individual Sports Club for UWTSD’s Academy of Sport for the second consecutive year.

He said: 

“I joined the Academy of Sport because of the benefits of using the university’s facilities. The academy is a fantastic asset for the university, and I believe it will continue to grow and develop over time. It has allowed me to fit in training sessions while at university. Living 45 minutes away in Swansea meant I initially struggled with lost training time due to travel, but the academy facilities have made it easier to balance everything.”

An accomplished triathlete, Ironman, and runner, Jordan competes for GJ Endurance, Swansea Vale Tri, and Port Talbot Harriers. He’s currently preparing for Challenge Roth in Germany, the world’s largest long-distance triathlon, where he will swim 3.8km, cycle 180km, and run 42.2km.

His coaching achievements are equally impressive. As an Ironman Certified Coach, Level 3 Personal Trainer, and Level 2 British Triathlon Coach, he mentors 44 athletes aged 18+ as part of the GJ Endurance Coaching Team. He also organises training sessions and acts as Club Swim Coach for Port Talbot Harriers.

He added: 

“My time at the university has certainly helped enhance my coaching knowledge and practice. My biggest achievement so far is turning a hobby I love into my job and also being two years into my university degree. At the age of 35, when I started, I never thought this would be possible.”

UWTSD Sport
Emily Thomas is a second-year part-time MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition student, and an experienced international athlete. She decided to study at UWTSD, as it offered the course she was interested in with accreditation and the learning structure suited her lifestyle, meaning she could continue to work, coach and train alongside her studies.Emily competes for Cardiff Archers at long jump and is also looking forward to competing for the University at the BUCS indoor athletics in February.

She added: 

“UWTSD’s Academy of Sport is great, as individual sport athletes it makes a team environment for us. The Academy has offered loads of support to me as an athlete and being remote has always stayed in contact and assisted with my training in any way they can.”

She is a qualified Welsh Athletics Coach and coaches a jumps, sprints, and combined events development group of U15 & U17 athletes at Cardiff Archers.  Emily decided to get into coaching as she was a part of the junior programme at her club growing up and loved the idea of being a part of the younger athletes’ athletics journey and helping them fall in love with the sport like she did.

UWTSD academy of sport
Bekka is a first year Motorsport Engineering student at UWTSD. She decided to study at UWTSD as she was training with the Swansea Harriers, which allowed her to successfully juggle her university commitments side by side with her athletics. She competes in pole vault, shot, hammer, javelin, and long jump, and will also be competing for the University at the BUCS indoor athletics in February.

She recently joined the Academy of Sport, and so far found their support helpful and providing advice on strength, conditioning, and nutrition.

She is a qualified Welsh Athletics Assistant Coach and has a group of athletes aged 9-14 who she coaches at Swansea track.

She adds: 

“I decided to start my coaching journey as I thought it was time for me to pay back the club after so many years as well as the enjoyment that comes with watching younger kids have the same enthusiasm as I did at their age, eventually I will work up to becoming a fully qualified coach.”

UWTSD’s Academy of Sport Head of Individual Sport, Sharon Leech said: 

“It’s been a privilege to work alongside these athletes and keep in touch with them and I look forward to seeing how they progress, both at work/ coaching and in their athletic careers.”

For more information about UWTSD’s Academy of Sport, please visit: Academy of Sport | University of Wales Trinity Saint David

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