Welsh Gymnastics appoint Sonia Mason to its Board as Safe Sport NED

Welsh Gymnastics are delighted to confirm the Non-Executive Director appointment of Sonia Mason to its Board as Safe Sport Lead.

Having originally trained and worked as a nurse, midwife and health visitor, Sonia specialised in the field of child protection in 2001. She would go on to hold a number of senior safeguarding posts across the NHS until her retirement in January 2020 – after more than 35 years working in the health sector.

Her last post before retiring was as Assistant Director of Nursing for Safeguarding within Powys Teaching Health Board.

Sonia will offer support and guidance to the Welsh Gymnastics Board, as well as expertise and an objective perspective on the areas of safeguarding, athlete welfare, wellbeing and duty of care.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Board of Welsh Gymnastics as Safe Sport Non-Executive Director,” said Sonia.

“I will be drawing on my professional background, working in safeguarding, to support Welsh Gymnastics in ensuring that the safeguarding and well-being of gymnasts is at the core of every aspect of the sport.”

Bev Smith, Chair of Welsh Gymnastics, said: “We are delighted to have Sonia on board.

“She brings a vast amount of professional experience and expertise that I anticipate will be an asset to our organisation.

“In what is a pivotal moment for gymnastics, she joins at a time when huge cultural change is taking shape within the sport.

“We feel sure that her contribution will help greatly in further driving that positive change and most importantly keeping our sport safe.”