The Trust team is made up of staff from Torfaen Sports Development and volunteer Trustees who work together to raise money to distribute to our talented young athletes to help them on their sporting journeys.
Our mission is to help our young athletes reach their full potential by supporting them with the increasing costs they face as they rise up the performance leagues. We want to ensure that none of our youngsters has to turn down an invitation to represent their county/country due to the costs of travel, kit, or other costs.
The Trust was set up in memory of Mic Morris, who was a police officer and brilliant British international middle distance runner from Pontypool. Sadly Mic died aged just 24 years, during a training run in 1983.
Initially, the trust fund was set up between Gwent Police and Torfaen Borough Council to raise money for Torfaen’s talented young sports people. To raise the funds needed, a Half Marathon was organised, running from Blaenafon to Cwmbran and called the 'Tour of Torfaen' Although it was a very popular event, the costs to host it became too prohibitive and it was decided to shorten the route - and the Torfaen 10k was born. This mostly downhill route has made the event the 'Fastest 10k on the planet!'
To work together within our community to support our young athletes and create an environment where they can flourish and achieve their goals.
The Trust was set up on 29 April 1986. At the time, the Mayor was Councillor David Lloyd and the other Trustees were:
The first Tour of Torfaen took place in 1988 and was organised by John Beavan, Manager of Blaenavon Recreation Centre. It changed from the half marathon to a 10k in March 2011 when it attracted just 56 entries.
The Trust was registered with the Charity Commission in 2009 with an income of £19,509.00 and the Trust has helped over 500 young people financially to achieve their sporting goals. Amongst the recipients of a grant have been three Commonwealth Games athletes and one Paralympian.
Chair
Christine joined the trust in 2013 and has an invested interest in the Trust as she trained with Mic Morris when they both ran with Coach Anne Hill at Cwmbran Stadium back in the 1970's.
Vice-Chair
I was an early entrant in the Mic Morris run, when it was a half marathon.
I was a lawyer for forty five years.
John Harris is a former Paralympic athlete from Torfaen, competing mainly in category 5 throwing events. In 1984 he became the world record holder in the discus winning gold at the Summer Paralympics, following this with silver in the discus and bronze in the Pentathlon four years later.
awaiting update
Rob is a long-standing member of the board of Trustees
Awaiting update.
Leader - TCBC
Representing Croesyceiliog & Llanyrafon Community Council
Representing Pontypool Community Council
Representing Ponthir Community Council
Representing Henllys Community Council
Representing Cwmbran Community Council