{"id":7151,"date":"2016-10-11T11:42:57","date_gmt":"2016-10-11T10:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wsa.wales\/?p=7151"},"modified":"2024-01-03T16:39:43","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T16:39:43","slug":"sport-power-transform-wales-health-wealth-says-business-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wsa.wales\/cy\/sport-power-transform-wales-health-wealth-says-business-leader\/","title":{"rendered":"SPORT HAS POWER TO TRANSFORM WALES\u2019 HEALTH AND WEALTH, SAYS BUSINESS LEADER"},"content":{"rendered":"

FORMER MCDONALD\u2019S VP, FAW CEO & ARMY OFFICER TO MODERNISE SPORTS & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SECTOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

11 OCTOBER, 2016<\/p>\n

Helen Humphrey \u2013 McDonald\u2019s first ever female Vice President \u2013 has been <\/strong>appointed as Chair of the Welsh Sports Association (WSA).<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The WSA – the membership body for sport and recreation in Wales \u2013 has recently been overhauled and has set out its vision of a sustainable future for sport and recreation. Its main aim is to modernise the sports and physical activity sector in support of the Welsh Government\u2019s Programme for Government.<\/p>\n

She is joined by FAW Chief Executive Jonathan Ford and former army officer turned leadership consultant Gemma Morgan who have also been enlisted onto the WSA\u2019s board of directors.<\/p>\n

Humphrey \u2013 who started her career in McDonald\u2019s at 16 as a crew member serving and preparing food \u2013 explains:<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh obesity rates coupled with the fact that local authority funding for leisure services such as sport and physical activity isn\u2019t mandatory and is reducing all the time means the work of the WSA has never been more crucial.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot only does the WSA provide a strong, independent voice for the sector which is desperately needed but it is also required to help modernise the sector, in conjunction with Sport Wales.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoverning bodies of sport often have their own payroll systems, HR & legal support and IT support systems, meaning duplicated effort and increased core costs. Our vision is to enable them to come together using affordable shared services so they can better invest their often small budgets.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot only is sport essential for the physical and mental health of the nation, \u00a0I believe it is also paramount to the nation\u2019s future prosperity. I started my McDonald\u2019s career at 16 \u2013 growing up on a council estate in the Midlands I couldn\u2019t otherwise afford to remain in education. Everything I had learnt playing sport in school was immediately transferable to the workplace and absolutely kick-started my career \u2013 turning up on time, working in and for a team, meeting targets, learning to win and lose, developing a winning attitude – the key skills we all need to be successful in the workplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have absolute belief that sport can build a better skilled workforce for Wales.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like Humphrey, Jonathan Ford also brings a wealth of experience from multinational, blue chip companies like Coca-Cola which will now be invested into encouraging physical activity and healthy lifestyles across Wales:<\/p>\n

\u201cIn business terms, sport is still very much in its infancy,\u201d says Ford. \u00a0\u201cThe work of volunteers is incredible and sport could not happen without them but we also need to blend this with modern business practices.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former Army Officer Gemma Morgan is the Founder of Morgan Eight Ltd \u2013 a performance, coaching, leadership consultant who works with the likes of the England and Wales Cricket Board, GB Taekwondo and GB Wheelchair Tennis:<\/p>\n

\u201cSport makes such a huge contribution to people\u2019s lives and their families that I want to help sports organisations in Wales move forward. I was involved with the Invictus Games earlier this year and it was incredible to witness sport having such an impact on people\u2019s recovery and wellness post-injury. Having played lacrosse for Wales for many years, now\u2019s the time to give back.\u201d<\/p>\n

The WSA has two remaining vacancies on the board and is keen to find representatives of the diverse community it serves.<\/p>\n

Those interested in the board vacancies are encouraged to contact the WSA on 029 2033 4972 or admin@welshsports.org.uk<\/a>. www.wsa.wales<\/a> @Welshsportsassoc<\/p>\n

(ends)<\/p>\n

For more information, media should contact Jane Thomas on 07967 351 827 or <\/em>hello@janethomaspr.com<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The WSA board <\/strong><\/p>\n