Welsh Pole Vault Association

Soaring to New Heights

About Us
The Welsh Pole Vault Association is dedicated to coaching athletes of any age and skill level who are passionate about pole vaulting. Our mission is to provide top-quality training to help athletes reach their full potential and achieve their vaulting dreams.

WPVA was founded by Ed Thompson and John Howe 25 years ago to try and coach athletes to an amazing standard.  We are a not for profit organisation that puts on the annual Vault Cardiff and uses any money we receive to buy equipment and develop athletes.  But more on that later...

Did you know?....
Did you know that Ed has bought all the Poles himself?  
Doesn't sound like much, right?
Did you know that to be a WPVA member, we ask for a mere £30 a month!  You would need to pay this every month for 3 YEARS to buy just 1 pole....? 

Pole Vault equipment is so expensive, and often takes a long time to have shipped (usually from America).  So if a pole breaks, and you don't have immediate access to another - that could be your season over!

Grip tape costs around £12 a roll, Bungs costs around £15 EACH (these go on the end of a pole and have to be in good condition).  Then there's chalk, measuring tapes, flexi bars (£25 each, you may go through 2 or 3 a year!), competition bars - and none of that includes the bed, uprights, or rental of space needed! 

The most expensive event out there, without doubt.  It is also the most complex, and Coaches should be qualified to a high standard (often having to take additional modules/assessments) or be under the watchful eye of a high-level coach.  

We don't charge for our coaching, but any monthly contributions received goes into a pot for new/replacement equipment to allow our athletes to train in the best way possible, and donations are always welcomed!
Join Our Community
Elevate Your Journey with Us

Services

Beginner Training

Our beginner training program introduces newcomers to the basics of pole vaulting, ensuring a solid foundation for future success.

Advanced Coaching

For more experienced athletes, our advanced coaching sessions focus on refining techniques and improving performance to compete at higher levels.

Personalized Plans

We offer personalized training plans tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each athlete, ensuring optimal progress and development.

Ring Swings

Ring Swings thumbnail
 
"Ring Swings", learning to hold the driving knee, swing from the hip and open up the chest, before swinging to invert.

Lead Coach

Lead Coach thumbnail
 
Lead Coach giving instruction!

Equipment

Equipment thumbnail
 
Top Class Equipment...

Rock Backs

Rock Backs thumbnail
 
"Rock Backs" on the High bar, learning to drop those shoulders as prep for inverts.

Outdoor Session

Outdoor Session thumbnail
 
First outdoor session of 2025 with Lead Coach back where he belongs... leading!  This is actually the group working as a team and looking after our bed, making sure it's all tucked up and protected from the glorious British weather!

Outdoor BUCS 2025

Outdoor BUCS 2025 thumbnail
 
Cardiff Met Athletes Cesar, Sophie and Aimie compete in outdoor BUCS.  A bit of a swirling wind for the ladies and an early start for all! Plenty to work on as there's no such thing as perfect, but, we'll get as close as we can by staying strong and working hard!

County Champs 2025

County Champs 2025 thumbnail
 
County Champs held at Aberdare and Yate saw 5 of our WPVA athletes Medal with Pb's, Sb's and sheer tenacity!   Have a look at the gallery to see our medallists!
​
It was a hot weekend but everyone did really well with some running off to other events mid way and some off the back of a full day's work.  All coaches are very proud!

Gallery

Testimonials

     

 The WPVA is a long-standing organisation with athlete development and well-being at the heart of all that it does.  For well over 20 years, Edward Thompson, has driven the growth and development of pole vaulting in Wales via the work of the WPVA.  Without his drive and determination to spearhead the association, athlete experience and opportunity would not have existed in South Wales within the pole vault discipline.  His work has supported countless athlete campaigns at all levels of the performance continuum - from grassroots introductions right through to international performers.  More recently, the work of Sam Hillier-Smith to support the WPVA in a period of ill-health for Edward has allowed the WPVA to continue to flourish.  The contribution of these two volunteer coaches to the development of the event and hundreds of athletes in Wales over the years, cannot be understated.  They are stalwarts of athlete, coach and event development for pole vault in Wales and the landscape is signifincatly boosted by their ongoing contributions.  They should be praised as such - and I would like to add my own thanks to that of many others in acknowledging just how much they sacrifce to provide services for others. 

Scott Simpson: GB Pole Vault Coach
     

 The Welsh Pole Vault Association is an outstanding organisation dedicated to the promotion and development of pole vaulting in Wales led by a passionate pole vault coach in Ed Thompson. The WPVA has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to athlete development, providing a safe, inclusive, and high-quality training environment for vaulters of all ages and abilities. Through expert coaching, well-organisation competition such as vault Cardiff, and a clear vision for the future of the sport, the association plays a vital role in nurturing both grassroots participation and elite performance. The WPVA continues to raise the profile of pole vaulting and inspire the next generation of athletes. It is clear that the Welsh Pole Vault Association is a key driver for the development of pole vault in Wales and they will continue to have a positive impact on the development of pole vault in Wales. Al 

Alan Richardson: EA Talent Pathway Manager
     

 My daughter and I have been involved with WPVA for a number of years now. We live over an hour away from Cardiff but train there whenever we can because the facilities are so good and the coaches are second to none. What I most appreciate about the set-up at WPVA is the fact that it is fun and yet intense at the same time; my daughter loves spending time with the friends she’s made there but also learns so much and takes so much away from her sessions. The coaches are approachable, knowledgeable and really supportive; it’s not just a job, they live and breathe pole vault, and you have to see it to appreciate how truly generous they are with their time. They do absolutely everything they can to help their athletes progress and mature, no matter the athlete’s level/aspirations. After you try a session at WPVA, you will see what I mean and you won’t want to go anywhere else. 

Alan Burgess: Parent of Athlete
     

 Wpva Ed took me on when I joined uni and really gave me alot that I take forward! He was strict but always fair! Taught me not just about pole vault but about working hard and being on time, one of my favourite quotes from Ed that I tell people now is “5 minutes early is on time and on time is late”. Being part of wpva really helped me get my love for pole vaulting back there was a good mixture of fun and seriouse every session was a good laugh even when it felt like I was gonna die! Ed has to be one of the most genuine coaches I have come across was always a pleasure to be coach by him! he would know what was going through my head better then I would! He always took so much care in what he was doing. Even the little things u wouldn’t think about, from him was exactly what u needed! Wpva as a group was special for me never had a decent group to train with so having people to call me out when I was being lazy although humbling was what I needed! I met some of my best friends through the group some people I hope I will still be in touch with for many years to come! 

Kurt Gilbert: Ex WPVA Athlete
  

Contact

  • NIAC, Cyncoed Road, Cardiff CF23 6XD, UK