This International Day of Charity, the Welsh Sports Foundation (WSF) is proud to share the positive strides we are making in our mission to harness the power of sport and physical activity to change lives.
Founded by the Welsh Sports Association (WSA) as part of its Strategic Plan, the WSF is committed to tackling inequality and creating life-changing opportunities for individuals and families across Wales. With the WSA’s continued support in administration and fundraising, the WSF can focus on delivering projects that make a real difference in communities most in need. One of our key priorities is tackling child poverty by removing financial barriers to participation in sport. Through partnerships with local agencies, we are providing vouchers for club subscriptions and lessons, redeemable directly with activity deliverers. Following a successful pilot in North Wales and Cardiff, this project is now being scaled up to support even more children across communities throughout Wales.
A highlight of this year has been the success of our Child Poverty Grant application, which secured £100,000 to support children and families living in poverty. This funding was generously match-funded by the Moondance Foundation, bringing the total to £200,000. With this vital support, the WSF is delivering a pilot project across Cardiff, North Wales, Blaenau Gwent, and Merthyr. The pilot works by engaging local referral agents to connect families with opportunities in sport and physical activity, breaking down barriers to participation and fostering healthier, more connected communities.
But this is just the beginning. As we look ahead, we are eager to expand our network of referral partners, including Housing Associations, Family Liaison Officers, and Food Banks, so we can reach even more people across the targeted geographical areas who will benefit from sport’s positive impact on wellbeing, resilience, and social connection.
The generosity of supporters also plays a vital role in our success. In June, the WSF hosted its inaugural Charity Golf Day at the Glamorganshire Golf Club. On a beautiful afternoon, the event raised over £1,000, an early milestone in our fundraising journey that reflects the strength of the sporting community in Wales. The next fundraising Golf Day is already confirmed for Friday 26th June 2026 at the same venue.
On this International Day of Charity, the WSF celebrates the partnerships and supporters that make our work possible. Together, we can ensure that sport continues to be a force for good, helping families, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for all.