Fascinating discussions at the 2024 Sustainability in Sport Conference
The Welsh Sports Association (WSA) was delighted to welcome members, partners and key stakeholders on Tuesday 12 November, for a successful second edition of the WSA Sustainability in Sport Conference, presented by Admiral.
The event brought together innovators and individuals passionate about driving forward sustainability in the sport and leisure sector.
Kicked off by host Lauren Jenkins’ welcome, the room heard from Jack Sargeant MS as the Minster for Culture, Skills and Partnership attended one of his first public engagements since coming into office, discussing the importance of collaboration as we head into the future.
Headline Partner Admiral’s Michelle Leavesley then took to the floor as the organisation’s Chief Sustainability Officer revealed big news for the sector.
Amid financially troubling times for many organisations in sport and leisure, the WSA was proud to be able to reveal the Community Green Fund at the Conference – seed funding worth a total of £100,000 to support sustainability in Welsh sport and leisure, courtesy of Admiral.
More detail about the Community Green Fund will be revealed soon.
Following this, Lauren Jenkins interviewed two-times Olympic open-water swimmer Hector Pardoe, who talked about his journey through sport as well as life, and how a passion for the climate has been a central theme throughout both.
Championing sustainability as he goes, Hector aims to become the first person to conquer the Three Lakes Challenge, swimming the lengths of Loch Lomond, Lake Windermere, and Lake Bala in a 24-hour period, raising awareness of clean water as he goes.
The first panel of the day subsequently took to the stage, hosted by Hector, as Canoe Wales CEO Alistair Dickson, Triathlon Cymru CEO Catherine Roberts, and RYA Cymru CEO James Stuart announced a Clean Water Sports Alliance for Wales, with Welsh Rowing having recently joined too.
The three shared their emotive thoughts on the threat to water sports, and how it is vital to work together to act to maintain the opportunities that currently exist. The Clean Water Sports Alliance is an example of this, combining the power of the NGBs to create a community of around 50,000 people striving for cleaner water.
That day, the Welsh Government and the UK Government launched a joint consultation on amending the rules around bathing waters to take in more sporting activities – to which the WSA and the Clean Water Sports Alliance in Wales will respond.
Hugh James’ Mark Loosemore then hosted a panel with Cymru Football Foundation Chair Kelly Davies, Glamorgan Cricket CEO Dan Cherry, and British Triathlon’s Head of Social Impact Eve Joseph who discussed sustainable leadership and governance.
The theme of balance in leadership and objectives was key in the discussion of how an organisation can act towards combatting climate change.
With the sector so brilliantly demonstrating its power for social impact over recent years, panellists described how environmental issues can be given as much importance in governance to allow organisation to really make progress, while overcoming fear will also drive change.
Following a coffee break, we were joined by Executive Board Member of Modeshift Jon Foley, as well as CEO of the WSA’s most recent partner, You. Smart. Thing., Chris Thompson, to discuss sustainable travel, passionately hosted by Beicio Cymru’s Robbie George.
Discussions revolved around the user experience, and how enabling efficient and sustainable travel is as key a factor as the sporting spectacle itself for a spectator.
The panel talked about how significant travel is in the sport and leisure sector’s environmental impact, and therefore how important it is to take it into consideration.
Chris concluded the panel with a grand reveal of the Conference’s attendees’ travel intentions for the day, telling the room how over half had used the You. Smart. Thing. Platform to plan out a route using public transport, with 14% of attendees cycling to Newport’s Riverfront Theatre.
During lunch, Robbie George, one of the aforementioned cyclists, organised a litter pick for some delegates to join in with. Picking up rubbish along the banks of the River Usk, the litter-pickers returned to the venue having filled four rubbish bags, earning a round of applause but also demonstrating the importance and necessity of the values shared at the WSA Sustainability in Sport Conference.
After this, Cymru Football Foundation Director Aled Lewis, Bute Energy’s Recreation & Health Lead Richard Lawrence, Director of 2buy2 EV Charging Limited Jonathan Morgan, and Alex Madden, a Partner at Hugh James, talked about green energy.
The panel focused on the multi-faceted benefits of sustainable practises within a club or organisation, both operationally and financially as well as for the local community.
The Goodwash Company Co-Founder and CEO Mandy Powell, the Celtic Collection’s Energy & Sustainability Manager Fitzroy Hutchinson, Senior Associate in Climate Risk & Resilience at Howden Erin Owain, and Dr Sarah Gore, Decarbonisation Advisor at Business Wales, then shared insights from their respective sectors.
A common theme throughout this discussion proved to be sharing, with panellists urging sporting bodies to collaborate and be open-minded to what others are doing as well as supporting others to do what you are doing.
This was said to be key to succeed in sustainability, with the issue and best practises continuously evolving.
The event was brought to a close by Kate Strong, a multi-world record-holding cyclist, ex-World champion triathlete, climate activist and author.
Kate spoke with great passion about her efforts and ambitions around advocating for change, championing sustainability in whatever she does. She finished by announcing her latest world record attempt, urging everyone to join her as she tries to achieve the biggest river clean ever.
Coined the Taff Tidy, the attempt requires as many people as possible to clean at any point on the River Taff at the same time on the same day. This will take place on Friday 21 March 2025.
The WSA would like to thank everyone who attended the Conference, our fascinating panellists, the panel moderators, our valued partners, the day’s host Lauren Jenkins, and Newport Live for a fantastic venue and hospitality.
It was yet another successful and insightful WSA Sustainability in Sport Conference, but also another stark reminder that there is a lot to do, and quickly, if we are to harness the power of sport in driving change for the good of the planet.
Photo credit: Kirsten McTernan
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