Professor Nicola Phillips named Commonwealth Games Chef de Mission for Wales
With two years to go until the 2018 Commonwealth Games, we are thrilled to announce that Richard’s Performance Director and Professor at Cardiff University Nicola Phillips has been appointed Wales’ Chef de Mission for the 2018 games.
The announcement came yesterday after a competitive application process for the prestigious post and a unanimous decision by the Board of Commonwealth Games Wales.
Professor Nicola Phillips, or the “Pocket Rocket” or “Nic” as Richard’s followers might know her, is an internationally renowned Sports Physiotherapy specialist has worked extensively with both the Welsh and British teams on 5 Olympic Games and 8 Commonwealth Games. She was Chief Physiotherapist for Team GB at the Beijing Olympics and is also a Consultant Physiotherapist for Sport Wales and the Welsh Rugby Players Association.
Nic has worked with Richard for around 15 years, from when he was playing rugby for Pontypridd. They re-connected for a Sport Relief challenge in 2012 and have been working together ever since. She is an integral part of Richard’s team, devising tailored programmes as part of conditioning for his various challenges as well as managing any injuries he develops.
Richard and Nic at the end of the Yak Attack, one of Richard's preparation events for his Antarctica Speed Record expedition.
Whilst both are away in Nepal on Richard’s latest world first expedition Project Everest Cynllun, Richard stated; “This is a great appointment for Team Wales and I am so happy for Nic. I was privileged to work under Nic in her role as Deputy Chef de Mission in Glasgow and was inspired by the culture and team that Nic helped to create.”
He added; “Nic and I have worked closely together in the development and execution of both my Antarctica Speed Record expedition and Project Everest Cynllun, so I know exactly how steadying, driven and inspirational she can be.”
Professor Phillips stated; “I’m over the moon to have been appointed, I still can't stop smiling! This is such a huge honour and I can't wait to get started. This feels a natural step and a culmination of decades of involvement with the Commonwealth Games. I've been involved with Commonwealth Games Wales for the past 30 years, and have travelled with the team to several games in various different roles. All of my professional life has been about supporting athletes in some way or other so to be awarded the top leadership role for Team Wales is absolutely amazing.”
Richard added; “Nic’s got a job to do until I get on and off the summit of Everest, but when our work is done here in Nepal I will make sure I buy her a beer or two to celebrate.”
Nic will also be bringing us the next blog from the Project Everest Cynllun team shortly.
