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
today.
Sport Wales has launched 'My Welsh Sport - The Conversation', an
opportunity for everyone in Wales to give their view on Wales's
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 Iwas 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 theUs Girls Walesproject - 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."
Through My Welsh Sport, Sport Wales will also develop a new five
year strategy for the organisation which will set out how the
organisation will deliver its commitments in line with the new
vision that is developed and taking account of the recommendations
in the recent Ministerial Review of Sport Wales.
For more on My Welsh Sport, and to contribute, visit www.sport.wales/mywelshsport