Christ College Welcomes The Chair Of Sport Wales

Laura is also a champion of equality and diversity, and she is very keen for young people to be heard and to be involved in advocacy and decision making processes.

Following her talk, Laura answered a range of questions from the audience which included questions on the governance of Welsh Rugby, the role of sport as a remedy to specific conditions and ailments, role models in today’s society, the preparation of generalist or specialist athletes, and the success of Welsh sports teams.

The questions continued at a post-event reception attended by Laura where Sixth Form pupils and staff continued to converse with her on a range of matters. One Sixth Form pupil who attended the talk and reception described Laura as ‘inspirational’.

Laura McAllister is Professor of Governance at the University of Liverpool’s School of Management. She was educated at Bryntirion Comprehensive School, Bridgend and is a graduate of the London School of Economics and Cardiff University where she completed a PhD in politics. Laura was a member of the Richard Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements for National Assembly for Wales that reported in March 2004 and provided research advice to the Independent Panel on AMs’ Pay and Support in 2008-09. She is Honorary Visiting Professor at Cardiff University, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia and the China National School of Administration, Beijing.

A former Wales football international and national team captain with 24 caps, Laura is Chair of Sport Wales (formerly the Sports Council for Wales). She is a Board Member of UK Sport, the Government’s agency for Olympic and Paralympic sport, and the Welsh Football Trust. She is project sponsor for sport at the University of Liverpool, and chairs the Sport Liverpool Strategy Group. She is a Trustee of Stonewall UK and the Institute of Welsh Affairs, as well as a member of the Wales Advisory Committee of the British Council. Laura holds honorary degrees from the Universities of Bangor, Cardiff and Glamorgan.