The Welsh Sports Foundation (WSF) is committed to breaking down barriers to physical activity and ensuring that all young people in Wales can participate in sports and recreational activities.
The Foundation’s potential – and the need for its work – was evident as its initial pilot project took place last year.
The charity’s ground-breaking sports voucher system, covered costs such as sports lessons, club subscriptions, and activity fees across the pilot project, demonstrating a significant and urgent need for its support in fostering inclusivity and accessibility.
Working with referral agents in Gwynedd and Cardiff, the WSF’s pilot project facilitated access to nine different sports and activities, with many beneficiaries being at risk of dropping out of their sports due to financial or personal circumstances.
The pilot not only enabled continued participation but also unearthed compelling stories that underline the necessity of WSF’s work.
Choosing Between Two Children
One grant was awarded to a young girl whose parents were struggling financially. They faced an impossible decision: to support only one of their two children in sport. While they chose to prioritise their son due to sport’s role in keeping him away from anti-social behaviour, WSF stepped in to fund their daughter’s opportunity, ensuring she too could continue her passion.
Respite for a Young Carer
One young carer, responsible for her disabled parent and three younger siblings, risked losing the only personal time she had each week. Thanks to WSF’s support, she could maintain her participation in sport, providing much-needed physical and mental respite.
Enabling Equal Opportunities
Some families expressed relief that they could offer their child something that they were worried they could not provide, and their child would no longer miss out on things and feel different from their friends.
Keeping Family Together
Two social workers hoped that provision from the WSF would help a family in a way which could potentially prevent children coming into care.
Building Life Skills
One mother expressed that she was grateful that the award meant they could go swimming as a family, benefitting her child’s health. This mother also noted that prolonged periods in hospital meant her child had missed out on swimming lessons in school and that there was now a chance that she could catch up, helping her self-esteem.
Positive Outlets
One family expressed their gratitude for the provision as it allowed their child to focus their energy positively, and that this was the only tangible support anyone could have provided to them in their time of crises.
The Welsh Sports Foundation Pilot Project has provided invaluable insights into the potential of the charity to transform lives through sport.
Looking ahead, the WSF will deliver another pilot project, this time supporting approximately 700 children across Welsh communities with support from a Welsh Government Child Poverty grant. This scheme will be extended to include the local authorities of Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil.