Famous Ex-Dragons

By Rhys Roberts - August 27 2008
Famous Ex-Dragons

We have been fortunate at the Dragons Disabled Swimming Club to witness the formative years of many swimmers who have gone on to represent Great Britain on the big stage.

 

David Roberts MBE (25/05/1980) Llantwit Fardre

 

David was one of the original Dragons. He competed in the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Paralympics. In Sydney he won 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze. In Athens he won 4 Gold and 1 Silver. He was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2004-05 New Year’s Honour list for his services to disabled sport. He also made it onto the short list for the BBC Wales 2004 Sports Personality of the Year Awards. He is a multi IPC World Swimming Championships gold medallist and won a bronze medal for Wales at both the Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games in the EAD 100m Freestyle event. He swims for Swim Swansea and trains at the High Performance Centre at the Wales National Pool in Swansea with his coach Billy Pye. He is also currently a member of the coaching team at the Dragons Disabled Swimming Club.

 

Nyree Lewis (21/09/1980) Porth

Nyree was also one of the original members of the Dragons D.S.C. Having won 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals in her first Paralympics in Sydney 2000, Nyree won 2 Golds, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze in Athens 2004. She has also won medals at European and World Level. She now trains in Hereford with her partner and fellow GB swimmer Sascha Kindred under the coaching of Emma Patrick.

 

Gareth Duke (18/06/1986) Cwmbran

At his first Paralympics in Athens 2004 Gareth won Gold in the 100m Breaststroke (SB6) and picked up a bronze in the men’s 20 point 4x50m freestyle relay. He trains at the Swansea High Performance centre with coach Billy Pye.

 

Elizabeth Johnson (03/12/1985) Newport

Elizabeth started off swimming at the Bedwas Penguins ASTRA swimming club alongside David Roberts before joining the Dragons. At her first Paralympics in Athens 2004, Liz won Silver in the women's SB6 100m breaststroke. She has also had success at European and World level. She is also one of the many successful swimmers stewarded by Billy Pye at the Swansea High Performance Centre.

 

Rhiannon Henry (20/05/1987) Bridgend

Rhiannon moved to disabled swimming after joining the Dragons from Bridgend County swimming squad, then coached by Billy Pye. Rhiannon picked up two Bronze medals in her first Paralympics in Athens 2004. After training at the Swansea High Performance Centre, reunited with Billy Pye, she moved to Vancouver in Canada.

 

Kate Arnold (04/09/1988) Newport

Kate was a popular member at the Dragons picking up the nickname ‘smiler’ as she always has a smile on her face! She started to gain success in swimming, making some of the junior GB teams but decided to give athletics a try prior to Beijing.

 

Nathan Stephens (11/04/1988) Bridgend

Nathan has had an interesting journey since leaving the Dragons. He first moved to sledge hockey where he achieved a lot of success which led to him representing GB at the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Turin. He has concentrated on athletics since and competes in the main throwing events.