Sport Wales announces new Chair, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
The Welsh Sports Association (WSA) would like to congratulate Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, DL on her appointment as Chair of Sport Wales.
It was announced on Tuesday, by Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden, that the former Paralympic athlete would be taking up the mantle as current Chair Lawrence Conway steps down following five years in the role.
Baroness Grey-Thompson is renowned for her sporting achievements. A Cardiff native, she started wheelchair racing at the age of 12 – a path that would see her become a multi-gold medallist as she competed in five Paralympic games, a World and Commonwealth champion, and a holder of over 35 world records.
Having studied at Loughborough University, she holds a BA (Hons) degree in Politics and Social Administration and, since ending her sporting career, has gone on to become a cross-bencher in the House of Lords courtesy of a life peerage.
Baroness Grey-Thompson is also a trustee of the Commonwealth Sports Foundation, an ambassador for UNICEF, and will finish in he current role as Chair of UK Active once assuming her new position at Sport Wales.
On her appointment, she remarked (via the Welsh Government website):
“I am both delighted and excited by this chance to support people to become active and to lead healthy lifestyles. I firmly believe that had I not been born and raised in Wales, I would not have experienced the opportunities that came my way.
“On a personal level, this appointment completes a circle. Sport Wales (and Elite Cymru) was the first board I joined while I was still a competing athlete – it gave me a real insight into how the sports system works from both perspectives. It is a real privilege to be offered this opportunity.”
The Welsh Sports Association are very much looking forward to working with Baroness Grey-Thompson in her new role, as the WSA and Sport Wales continue to work collaboratively for the sector.
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