Welsh Public Urged to Give Views on Sport
People in Wales are being invited to contribute their ideas to a new vision for sport as a nationwide conversation is launched.
Sarah Powell, Sport Wales chief executive
Sport Wales has launched 'My Welsh Sport - The Conversation', an opportunity for everyone in Wales to give their view on Wales' sporting future. My Welsh Sport will involve the public and stakeholders in a two-way conversation about a new vision for sport in Wales and the development of a new strategy for Sport Wales.
Lawrence Conway Chair of Sport Wales said; "As a nation, only a third of the Welsh population is physically active to the recommended levels. This, combined with increasing levels of both childhood and adult obesity, is a public health time bomb. Sport alone cannot address the issue of physical inactivity, but it must do more. This is why I was delighted to have been asked to work with people and organisations across Wales to develop a new shared vision for sport."
It comes as new research* reveals trust to be a major factor to encourage young girls to take part in sport and activity. A report from Streetgames Wales on the Us Girls Wales project - funded with £690,000 of Sport Wales investment - reveals that relationships with hard to reach young females has to start well before they have even contemplated engaging in even the most basic form of physical activity.
Taking on that talking and listening principle, My Welsh Sport will put the citizen's view at the heart of the future of Welsh sport - from community level to elite.
Sarah Powell, Sport Wales chief executive said; "People have different motivations for participating in sport - from enjoyment to wellbeing, from individual performance to becoming a top athlete for our nation. It's important that we hear from a wide spectrum of people across Wales as we work with partners and stakeholders to shape a new vision for sport."
"Sport is fun and being active is vital if we are to improve our nation's health. There are many people who are not enjoying the benefits that sport offers and, therefore, we need a new vision, rooted in the needs of the people of Wales, that ensures participating in sport becomes a reality for more and more of us."
"We want individuals and organisations to shape a new vision for sport that everyone in Wales can sign up to. Sport Wales will co-ordinate the vision - but it will not be Sport Wales's vision, it will be a vision for everyone."
People will be asked to take part in different ways, including through regional events, meetings and online.
The new vision for sport and a strategy for Sport Wales will be shaped by new and previous contributions from stakeholders, as well as key national policy documents and guidance. The vision will address sport's role in delivering the commitments set out inProsperity for Alland meeting the requirements of legislation including theWell-being and Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015.
"We have made a commitment to listen and reflect the needs of Wales so that more people can enjoy sport and be active," added Powell. "All ideas will be considered."
"Sport in Wales has made significant progress with rises in the number of young people participating and a record number of Olympic medals for Welsh athletes. We also know that many people are not active because of a number of barriers and challenges. We need to address these and find lasting solutions."
For more on My Welsh Sport, and to contribute, visit www.sport.wales/mywelshsport