Lending a Hand

Former New Zealand All Black Wellington-born Filo Tiatia, 38, now a back-row forward and coach with the Ospreys rugby region in Wales, is backing a campaign to save Swansea’s Tennis Centre from closure. He said his children were regular users of the courts near the Liberty Stadium where he plays and coaches. Swansea council, which must find #17m, said the centre received a #120,000 annual subsidy and cost more to run per visit than any of its leisure centres. Tiatia also said it would make it harder to get the message across about the importance of exercise. “It’s a shame that we are hearing that they are trying to close this facility,” he said. “Like most of the parents I’m quite concerned about them closing it.” Before signing for the Ospreys, Tiatia played in Japan for four years with Toyota Verblitz.