Visually-impaired cyclist, Nathan Tyrrell

Nathan Tyrrell (pictured at back of tandem) is a 16 year-old para-cycling rider from Swansea. Nathan is visually impaired, and competes in Tandem Cycling races within Paralympic Cycling. Nathan has been part of the Disability Sport Wales Academy (which houses facilities for top-level athletes with disabilities) for four years. Nathan is ranked No.1 in Great Britain in his age group and ‘visually impaired’ classification and already, at a young age, is setting times that are comparable with senior GB and World class riders, though cycling rules means only riders aged 18 years and over can compete internationally.

In August 2009 Nathan was awarded a grant via Sports Aid, a JWCT partner organisation. The £750 sponsorship provided by the JWCT will support his travel to and from training (100 miles round trip to the velodrome), strength and conditioning training locally in Swansea, and the increasing costs of equipment he needs to compete. Due to his disability, he has to be accompanied by a parent or adult everywhere he goes which makes the cost of his sport much more expensive.

Neil Smith, Performance Coach for disabled athletes in Newport said “he is ranked within the top 20 in the World, and once he’s 18 I’m sure he’ll make a significant impact on the World stage . . . He is being monitored by British Cycling on his development through the partnership between our Academy and themselves.” According to the National Coach, Nathan is on track for Paralympic standard for the Olympics in 2012.

Matt Willson, a JWCT trustee, added “we are really pleased to be helping Nathan achieve his goals with this grant, our third to promising disabled athletes via Sports Aid.”

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