WSA Sustainability in Sport Conference

Bringing Welsh sport together to create a more sustainable future

The WSA Sustainability in Sport Conference brings together people from across sport, leisure, business and government to explore how we can make Welsh sport more sustainable.

The conference is designed to be more than a conversation about climate change. It is a space for organisations to share practical ideas, learn from one another, showcase the work already happening across the sector and build partnerships that can turn ambition into action.

With sustainability becoming increasingly important to the future resilience of sport, the conference provides an opportunity for leaders, practitioners and organisations to come together and consider what more can be done – from reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency to sustainable transport, protecting nature, responsible procurement and creating positive social impact.

Our aim

The Sustainability in Sport Conference aims to bring the sport and leisure sector together to collaborate, share knowledge and accelerate sustainable action.

We want attendees to leave with:

• New ideas and practical solutions they can take back to their organisation.
• A better understanding of the sustainability challenges and opportunities facing sport.
• Examples of good practice from organisations already making progress.
• New connections and potential partners to help turn ideas into action.
• A renewed sense that sustainability is a shared responsibility across the whole sector.

The conference also provides a platform to celebrate the positive work already taking place across Welsh sport, while being honest about the challenges that remain.

A growing community

Since its launch, the conference has welcomed more than 100 delegates from across the sport and leisure sector and has continued to grow. The inaugural conference was held in November 2023 in collaboration with the Federation of Irish Sport, creating an opportunity to share learning and best practice between Wales and Ireland.

The second conference, held in November 2024, brought together more than 100 delegates at Newport’s Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, while the 2025 conference continued the event’s growth at Rodney Parade.

Across the conferences, we have welcomed representatives from national governing bodies, professional and grassroots sport, leisure organisations, government, businesses and sustainability specialists.

Speakers from across sport and beyond

One of the strengths of the conference is the breadth of experience in the room.

Previous speakers and contributors have included senior leaders and sustainability specialists from organisations including:

Football Association of Wales · Swim Wales · Canoe Wales · Wales Golf · Cardiff Dragons · Glamorgan Cricket · British Triathlon · Lawn Tennis Association · Newport Live · Transport for Wales · Cymru Football Foundation · Community Leisure UK · Business Wales · Admiral · Howden · GAA · Volleyball Ireland · European Tour Golf · BBC Sport

The 2024 and 2025 conferences have brought together speakers from organisations including Transport for Wales, British Triathlon, Cymru Football Foundation, BBC Sport, European Tour Golf, Wales Golf, Nature Positive, Hoci Cymru and FleetEV.

This mix is important to us. Sustainability in sport is not the responsibility of one organisation, one sport or one profession. Progress comes from bringing different perspectives together and learning from what others are doing.

Practical conversations. Real-world examples.

Each year, the programme explores different aspects of sustainability and what they mean for sport.

Previous discussions have covered:

• Sustainable events and lasting sporting legacies
• Sustainable leadership and governance
• Sustainable transport
• Energy and decarbonisation
• Protecting blue spaces and nature
• Sustainable partnerships and sponsorship
• Reducing, reusing and recycling sports kit and equipment
• Innovation and cross-sector collaboration
• Supporting clubs and organisations on their sustainability journey

The conference is deliberately focused on practical action – sharing what works, discussing the barriers organisations face and exploring how the sector can work together to overcome them.

Sustainability in practice

We also aim to make the conference itself an example of more sustainable event delivery.

Previous conferences have included initiatives such as encouraging public transport, providing personalised low-carbon travel information, offering vegan catering and creating opportunities for delegates to engage with sustainability-focused partners and projects. In 2024, for example, we set a target for at least 90% of attendees to travel by public transport.

The conference has also been a platform for significant developments in Welsh sport. In 2024, WSA partner Admiral announced a £100,000 Community Green Fund to support sustainability projects within Welsh sport and leisure.

When is the conference?

The WSA Sustainability in Sport Conference has traditionally taken place in November, providing a regular annual opportunity for the sector to come together towards the end of the year.

Dates and venues are announced ahead of each conference, alongside details of the programme, speakers and how to register.

Want to be part of the next Sustainability in Sport Conference?

Keep an eye on the WSA website and our social media channels for announcements about the next event, including the date, venue, speakers and registration details.

Whether you’re already well on your sustainability journey or you’re just starting to think about what your organisation can do, we’d love to see you there.

Together, we can make Welsh sport more sustainable.