Torfaen Leisure Trust WSA Membership Testimonial

Angharad Collins, CEO, Torfaen Leisure Trust

“We simply wouldn’t exist without WSA’s support over the last year”.

Torfaen Leisure Trust has been a WSA member since 2015 and Angharad Collins has been its CEO for the last three years. 

“Our WSA membership is the first membership we renew each year; it’s never in doubt.”

“The WSA has really come to the forefront for us during the Covid-19 pandemic. Vicky and Matt and the rest of the team have worked tirelessly and stood up for the sector when we needed it the most.  As we work on our recovery, the WSA has proved how invaluable it is to organisations like ours by listening to each and every word our sector told them and ensured that Welsh Government understood the pressures we’re facing today and in the future. Without this level of support, I’m confident that we wouldn’t have had the necessary recovery funding packages so quickly.”

“The team at WSA are far too modest; they do so much for us, and they lead it all with passion and authority. They identified and set up different groups to help combat the challenges of the sector during the difficult times of the pandemic, and we have been able to approach them with any question, however big or small and feel listened to at all times. 

“The policy and advocacy services provided by WSA to members is second-to-none. The information we receive before it’s made public is invaluable to our planning. The quality of the political support has allowed us all to become more politically minded too which is crucial to our own roles and gives us the confidence to be more proactive as we have a much clearer understanding of the landscape and the opportunities.

“The networking is also a key benefit to members; the opportunities to collaborate as a sector is critical for our wider success. Partnership working with others, from different backgrounds allows us to work more succinctly together and plan for positive change within areas like procurement, energy consumption, and travel. By doing so will only make the sector more sustainable for the future and make significant cost-savings along the way which we can then re-invest accordingly. 

“The membership has also made positive impacts on me personally. Vicky has instilled a level of confidence in me that I wasn’t even sure I had. When asked to chair the WSA’s Facilities group (as part of the Phased Return to Sport Planning Groups), I honestly didn’t think I was the right person for it or even capable of it. But her level of confidence in me has enhanced my own leadership skills and qualities and I look to add to this further with my new Non-Executive Director role with the WSA too.

“In order to be on top of political and business continuity perspectives, the membership is crucial and worth every penny.”

“I honestly have fewer worries as a CEO thanks to the WSA.  As an organisation, they’ve been our voice across Wales, and I recommend getting in touch with the team.”