Plas y Brenin join WSA as Full Members
The Welsh Sports Association (WSA) is thrilled to announce the arrival of Plas y Brenin, National Outdoor Centre, to our membership base.
It was built in 1798 by Lord Penrhyn as the Capel Curig Inn. It provided accommodation for several royals, including Queen Victoria, before being appropriately renamed the Royal Hotel in 1870.
Aside from a few years of use as a mountain warfare training centre during World War II, the building has remained in continual use as a hotel for more than 150 years. In keeping with its royal theme, in 1955, The Central Council for Physical Recreation acquired the site for use as a national recreation centre, with funding from King George VI’s memorial fund. The centre was once again renamed, becoming Plas y Brenin, meaning ‘The King’s Place’, in his honour.
Ever since, it has been at the forefront of skills training and instruction for outdoor activities including mountaineering, hiking, climbing, paddlesports and mountain biking. It offers courses for everyone, from families and beginners to professionals looking to progress their careers in the outdoors.
As a National Outdoor Centre, Plas y Brenin trains and develops the people that further the outdoor sector – from instructors to centre managers, expedition leaders to NGB officers and policymakers. This includes developing inspiring coaches, instructors and leaders in adventure sport, be they volunteers or working professionally in the sector, to better support people, from all backgrounds, to feel safe and confident when being active in the outdoors.
The Centre brings together experts in the sector from across the UK and beyond to share learning, transfer good practice and raise and set industry-wide standards. This inspirational venue, with a world-class reputation, is also committed to helping individuals nurture their skills and confidence for independent adventures.
Find out more about the centre and its work by visiting the Plas y Brenin website.
As members, Plas y Brenin will utilise our advocacy support, take advantage of independent insurance audit and sign up for the WSA’s popular DBS checking service.
Plas y Brenin CEO Ruth Hall said:
“With Snowdonia being the beloved home of Plas y Brenin and North Wales being its wider classroom, we’re very proud to be a new member of the Wales Sports Association.
“As a leader in outdoor activities training and professional development, we want to encourage as many people as possible to experience the benefits of the outdoors, safely and responsibly. We understand the importance of collaborating with partners and experts across the sector in order to further this objective, and we look forward to being an active member of the association and its community.”
To see the full range of support offered by the WSA, visit our Member Benefits page.
And to find out how to sign up for membership, check out our Become a Member page.
