An 81-year-old running coach from Swansea has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours after dedicating more than 60 years of his life to coaching and supporting athletes across the city. John Leslie Stuart Griffiths, from Fforestfach, has been awarded the prestigious British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to athletics in Wales - and says his win came as a wonderful surprise and that he has no idea who nominated him!
Mr Griffiths first became involved in local athletics back in 1959 and went on to become one of the founding members of the well-known Swansea Harriers Athletics Club in 1962. He has continued to play an active part in the club ever since - and still coaches a group of young people today.
"I first became involved in athletics in 1959 through the Cockett Boys Club and about three years later the leader suggested we set up a separate athletics club. I'm one of the founding members, we set up the Swansea Harriers in 1962," Mr Griffiths told WalesOnline. "I'm still involved in coaching, I have a group of about a dozen youngsters - some of them are really talented and could go a long way, it's nice being able to help the younger generation." You can get the biggest Swansea news stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
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Over the course of the last six decades, Mr Griffiths has held various roles of responsibility within the club and has coached and supported hundreds of athletes. He has also "championed youth athletics" in the Swansea area, the club said, and has been praised for setting up the 'Gold Awards' for young Swansea Harriers, as well as the Swansea Junior Games which has attracted young athletes from across the UK.
Mr Griffiths has also been involved in "sports hall athletics," giving youngsters an introduction to running, jumping and throwing, and has been an advocate for the positive impact physical activity has on people's well-being.
A write-up about Mr Griffiths outlined his many achievements. It reads: "He is a well-respected athletics coach in the Swansea and south Wales area who has dedicated over 60 years of his life to volunteering within the sport as a coach, official and competition organiser! He was one of the co-founders of Swansea Harriers Athletics Club in 1962 and was active in all aspects of the club development and governance as it grew from a tiny collection of like-minded enthusiasts, to a club with over 800 members with over 50 different training sessions held seven days a week, all year round.
"Over the years he has held many roles within the club, including secretary, treasurer, captain and team manager and he has organised countless international and local competitions, both for fun runners and elite athletes alike.
"He is a registered official, a regular team manager and a meticulous, fiercely dedicated and supportive coach for over 60 years."
Praising Mr Griffiths for his commitment to the Harriers, Swansea Harriers committee member Ian Griffiths said: "John Griffiths has been a long-serving member of Swansea Harriers for over 60 years and he's been involved in the sport for all that time. Not only is he a good athlete, but over the years he's shown he is an outstanding coach, he's even coached one of the world's top triathletes."
"I'm delighted for him," added president of Swansea Harriers Athletics Club, Barrie Owen. "It's an honour for him and a great honour for our club!"
Mr Griffiths found out he had been awarded the BEM when he received a letter through the post last month. He says he had no idea he had been nominated for the award - and still doesn't know who put him forward.
"It was so unexpected! Someone must have put me forward, I haven't a clue who! I didn't know anything about it until the letter came in the post in May." he said. "I've had to keep it under wraps - the only person that knew was my wife because she saw me open the letter when it arrived, I haven't even told my children - I'll be ringing them this evening to tell them. It was a bit of a surprise, you just don't expect it!"
Asked how he intends to celebrate his award, Mr Griffiths says he fancies having a drink and perhaps a slice of cake.
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