Adaptive player Deryn-Bach Allen-Dyer from Merthyr has been selected as part of the Queens Baton Relay team that travels through Merthyr. Deryn is Cadet age and has competed as part of the Welsh Team in Walsall taking gold in the -57kgs Senior VI section as well as taking a Bronze at the German open in the same year. Deryn’s accolades also include Competition recorder, volunteer and judo charity fund raiser

Deryn has been committed to volunteering and doing charitable work through sport in her community from the age of 12 and now at almost 17 she has amassed an impressive CV for someone so young. Deryn’s drive and commitment not only to her sport, but engaging others through the medium of English as well as Welsh is to be admired. At 12 she helped raise thousands for the Brain tumour charity through a children’s judo competition, which brought Olympic/World an European champions together with youngsters from all walks of life in a fun filled 1980s style judo competition.

Deryn has been inspirational in involving herself in community groups and sports including volunteering for Urdd groups, the Summit Climbing Centre, local judo club, school and much much more. She’s even made an appearance as Mr Urdd himself! On Shwmae Day! Deryn worked tirelessly in order to help others. Having ASD herself she doesn’t let this hold her back, she was awarded the Diana Award in 2019 when her school Penydre nominated her.  She was also the Welsh Chair of the judging panel for the very same awards last year. She has also won the High Sheriffs Award for sports and contributions to sport and the community in 2021.

Deryn is the current VI Commonwealth senior Champion 2019 in the -57kgs category. Because of this and her other judo achievements (British Open medallist, German Open Medallist, Para-potential squad member, Welsh Int and GB Int status) she was Awarded the Disability sports Wales Emerging Athlete Award 2020/21 alongside a bursary Award. Deryn was the winner of Commonwealth Day 2020 My Team Wales Poem and is also featured in the Commonwealth Team Wales 2022 Video Campaign Rise! 

Deryn has been interviewed and also featured in numerous TV shows including S4Cs Boom Stwnsh and Heno, highlighting Girls in Sport and girls who do sports normally seen as traditionally for boys. Deryn is a #Felmerch Ambassador and she sat on this year’s Felmerch panel in the 1st International Women’s Day convention held in Cardiff Bay in March. Deryn is also part of the NLA and Youth Sports Trust Wales and volunteers for Sports Wales Youth Panel and the BJA Steering/Inclusion and Diversity panel. She has just come back from her very 1st tournament since Covid and was lucky enough to win Silver in the British School And Colleges Championships (Adaptive section -21s), losing out only to our current Adaptive Olympic/World/European Champion who is now 20. So not bad for a 16 yr old from Merthyr College. 

It is Deryn’s wish to volunteer at the Commonwealth Games 2022 as a young Volunteer and she is waiting to see what happens next. Deryn is a true Ambassador for young people, sport, her community and for Wales.