After 16 successful years, Gerwyn Owen will leave his position as DSW Performance Pathway Manager, to become the new Chief Executive of RYA Cymru Wales.
Gerwyn will replace Phil Braden, following his sad passing earlier this year.
Gerwyn began his career at Disability Sport Wales in 2002 as the Development Officer for Gwynedd, quickly moving in to the DSW Swimming Development Officer role a year later.
During his time as the DSW Swimming Development Officer, Gerwyn managed the successful Welsh squad as well as on several occasions being invited to be Team Manager for the British Disability Swimming Squad at overseas events.
Gerwyn has made a significant contribution to the Paralympic and disability talent pathway, as the DSW Academy Manager from 2007-2016, a period which saw tremendous medal success and an increase in the number of Welsh athletes representing Paralympics GB at the Beijing, London and Rio Games.
In his current role as Performance Pathway Manager (alongside the Performance Pathway Officers) he has led the way to the establishment of Performance Pathway Hubs, which have become the training ground for many talented potential athletes eligible for competition across a range of sports and classifications.
A passionate supporter of Team Wales, Gerwyn has been to four successive Commonwealth Games in a variety of management roles, culminating in 2018 with his appointment as Deputy Chef de Mission role out in Gold Coast. Gerwyn was particularly proud to have served at the Gold Coast in the most successful overseas Team that Wales has ever produced. Prior to Gold Coast Gerwyn also served as the Chef de Mission for the Junior Commonwealth Team Wales team in the Bahamas (2017).
He has served on the UK Sports Association of People with Learning Disability Board for many years, and was also on the Boccia UK Board, heavily involved with the Board of Welsh Sports Association for People with Learning Disability, Boccia Wales, Weightlifting Wales and has been pivotal to the formation of Wales Wheelchair Basketball Association.
Fiona Reid, CEO for Disability Sport Wales describes Gerwyn as “… part of the fabric of DSW from the very early days; he has the experience, knowledge, understanding and passion which inspires change and makes a difference and we have been really fortunate to keep that within DSW for so long. It has been a real pleasure to work with Gerwyn as part of the DSW team, and it will be a pleasure to continue to do so as he moves into his new role as CEO. We wish him every success for his future with RYA Cymru Wales”.
