Welsh Athletics role for former Great Britain hurdler Matt Elias
- From the section Wales
Former Great Britain and Wales 400m hurdler Matt Elias has been appointed Welsh Athletics national performance centre coach.
Elias, 35, who retired in 2010, will be responsible for coaching elite athletes at the centre, as well as supporting coaches and athletes elsewhere in Wales.
"I knew coaching was somewhere I wanted to go after the sport," said Elias.
"I have a massive passion for athletics."
In 2002 Elias won individual and relay Commonwealth silvers and gold as part of the Great British 4x400m relay team at the European Championships.
He says he is now motivated by giving "something back" to the sport which has been "brilliant" to him his "whole life".
| Matt Elias medals | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1998 Commonwealth Games | Bronze | 4 x 400m |
| 2002 Commonwealth Games | Silver | 4 x 400m |
| 2002 Commonwealth Games | Silver | 400m hurdles |
| 2002 European Championships | Gold | 4 x 400m |
"I want people to get the most out of their physical potential," said Elias, "and not make the same mistakes that I made in my career, and not pick up the injuries I picked up."
Former national performance coach Scott Simpson is the new head of coaching and performance as part of changes to the staffing structure.
Welsh athletics are still searching for track and field coach development managers and a performance logistics coordinator as part of the shake-up.