The report, published today, was commissioned by Welsh Government to examine the activities of Sport Wales, and compiled by a panel of experts appointed by the Minister for Public Health and Social Services, Rebecca Evans AM.
It outlines 20 overarching recommendations for Welsh Government and Sport Wales in order that the national sponsored body can respond to the challenges faced by the organisation and to focus its vision, aspirations and strategic intent. As the sector body for sport and active recreation, the commitment of the Welsh Sports Association (WSA) to champion and support the work of Wales’ national governing bodies of sport is noted within the report’s findings.
Statement from Helen Humphrey, Chair of the WSA:
“We are pleased that the Ministerial Review into Sport Wales has now concluded, so that the focus can return to the continuing work of the sector in implementing improvements necessary to maintain the delivery of high quality performances and sporting opportunities for all.
The great success of our Welsh athletes at the Paralympic World Championships in recent days shows that we are once again in the midst of a fantastic summer for sport in Wales – but sport and active recreation is about much more than medals. It has a unique contribution to make in improving health and well-being, and has the potential to help solve many of the challenges currently facing our nation. We know that the way that people want to consume sport has changed in recent years, and the way that sport is financed and delivered must also change to reflect this.
On behalf of the sector, the WSA welcomes the recommendations of the Review, in particular the findings regarding the clarification of the role of WSA in leading the ‘commercialisation’ of National Governing Bodies of sport in Wales. The WSA is driving forward opportunities to assist our members in modernising their businesses and developing more diverse income streams, so we are encouraged by the recommendation that Welsh Government should provide longer term budgets for Sport Wales, in keeping with Welsh Labour’s manifesto commitment to offer three-year funding settlements to ‘give a greater degree of security and certainty to national sponsored bodies’. This will enable Sport Wales’ partners to develop their business planning more effectively, and move from traditional models to those which are more agile, efficient, and better equipped to help deliver well-being and prosperity within our communities.
A vibrant, active Wales requires a sustainable sector, so we are also pleased that the review has recognised our vital work in this field. As an ambitious organisation which is keen to reflect the appetite of the sector, we look forward to collaborating with Welsh Government and Sport Wales on how we can ‘expand the WSA’s activities to deliver the wider services required’ by our members in developing capability and resilience, resulting in a robust sporting economy in Wales which is fit for the future.
As the representative body for sport, the WSA will be listening to and engaging with our members, partners and government over the coming weeks to consider the recommendations in depth, and look forward to an early Ministerial response when the National Assembly reconvenes in the autumn.”
For further information please contact the WSA team.
MEMBERS ONLY SUMMARY OF SPORT WALES REVIEW: AN INDEPENDENT REPORT
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