Weightlifting Wales is governed by a board of directors, a mixture of director and membership-appointed individuals, who work together to drive the organisation forwards.
The board members also work with sub-groups, lending their expertise to discussions surrounding governance, finance, performance, development, equality and safeguarding.
Jo Calvino, brings a wealth of experience to the board, not only as an International athlete for over 20 years but most recently Jo delivered one of the most successful international events in weightlifting in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as the Weightlifting & Para Powerlifting Competition Manager. Jo is also an IWF Catergory 1 Technical Official but also built an established career in Aquatics and the sports charitable sector, within talent, development, education and events. Jo's commented on her recent appointment: ' I am very much looking forward to supporting Welsh Weightlifting to build and develop the sport to service its members positively and promote good governance'.
My name is Catrin Jones and I have 10 years of experience of competing on the Weightlifting international stage.
I am excited to be Athlete Representative and will fulfil this position to the best of my abilities with the hope that all athletes feel that their voices are being heard and acknowledged.
After a Rugby and Athletics career, Ceri started to work in sport development working to create sporting opportunities in selected communities. Moving back to Wales in 1991 to work with the then Sports Council for Wales as a development office working with NGBs. This included Welsh Weightlifting. Having spent some time out of sport working with The Heritage Lottery Fund and The Princes Trust, Ceri realised that sport is the best industry to work in and went to work with The Amateur Swimming Association, managing the English Regions.
For the last 15 years, Ceri has have lectured and conducted research at University of Birmingham and currently University of Gloucestershire. Ceri specialises in Sports Politics. His research has focused on doping, publishing a number of papers.
Ceri has two children, both of whom have represented Wales in their respective sports.
Ross has 10 years of experience in the fitness industry and has co-owned a Crossfit facility in South Wales for the past 8 years alongside his day job as an electrician. During those 8 years, Ross has coached athletes from over 20 different sporting backgrounds, many of who have gone on to claim medals for their respective sports. Ross specialises in coaching Olympic Weight Lifting and founded SA1 Olympic Weightlifting Academy, a top Olympic Weightlifting club in Wales. He has coached an abundance of novice lifters all the way up to Commonwealth athletes, and has also been on the Weightlifting Wales coaching team at several international competitions.
Outside of Geology and his work as an Environmental Consultant, Filip has been involved in S&C training for the best part of 10 years.
Starting with rugby and then 6 years dedicated to Olympic Weightlifting. Filip has represented both Wales and GB on the platform, served as president of his University Barbell Club and gained experience as a competitor, coach and technical official.
“My ambitions as a director are to help others gain as much from weightlifting as I have, to attract newcomers to the sport, develop those already involved and to help the Governing Body provide the administration, support and mentoring that the athletes need and require.”
Sophie is a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at Bangor University and has a wealth of experience working in research and applied sport science, as well as participating in sport herself.
Sophie began weightlifting in 2017 progressing to competing at a national level in 2022, having played hockey competitively from the age of 11. Sophie is now secretary of Bangor University Weightlifting Club, as well as helping with coaching at the club and as a technical official for Welsh and British Weightlifting.
In her academic career, Sophie’s research focuses on supporting the female athlete, through which she assists sporting organisations, including Welsh Weightlifting, with managing female athlete health, in particular around the menstrual cycle. Aligning with this work, Sophie has a passion for increasing equality, diversity, and inclusivity, which is an area she hopes to contribute to through her role on the board.
"I am looking forward to supporting Welsh Weightlifting and their members to build the community, increase participation and support athletes at the highest level".
Yuk has a keen interest in weightlifting having discovered the sport through Crossfit in his late thirties. He then chose to focus solely on weightlifting and discovered the many benefits the sport has to offer for strength, fitness and mental health. He is keen to help to promote the weightlifting as something that is accessible to people of all ages, genders and abilities.
Yuk is a qualified barrister, having worked in various public bodies for over 20 years. He will provide a wealth of experience in governance, safeguarding and effective decision-making.
Sarah Jones is a double Olympian and Tokyo Games bronze medalist with 188 international caps for Great Britain and Wales in hockey. Having played for Wales in three Commonwealth Games and six EuroChampionships, Sarah is also now Head of Talent at British Fencing – focusing on forging innovative talent pathways for the fencing community in Great Britain across Olympic and Paralympics pathways. In addition to her role at British Fencing, Sarah is a committed board member to the Hockey Wales ED&I board, member of the Team Wales Athlete’s Commission and an ambassador for the EuroGames, Europe's largest LGBTQ+ multi-sport event that is set to be held in Cardiff in 2027. As such, she brings extensive experience to the Weightlifting Wales board, across performance sport, talent pathways and DE&I, and is greatly looking forward to making an impact.
