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Sport Partnerships

Sport Partnerships are aiming to be a game changer for future generations, transforming the way community sport is created, delivered, led, and funded.

Designed to overcome ongoing and stubborn inequalities in participation in sport and physical activity, these partnerships will help transform Wales into an active nation where everyone can have a lifelong enjoyment of sport.

What is a Sport Partnership?

Five areas in Wales make up the nation’s Sport Partnerships. These partnerships are new, purposely set up regional entities that will provide strategic leadership, planning and commissioning for sport and physical activity within the area.

Why do things need to change?

We want Wales to be an active nation where everyone has the opportunity to have a lifelong enjoyment of sport. For some this is already the case, but despite the very best efforts of many people, others are still unable to access the same level of opportunities to take part and enjoy being physically active.

In Wales, taking part in physical activity at least 3 times a week is recognised as a national wellbeing indicator. Alarmingly, around half of all young people who identify as Black, Asian or from minority ethnic groups; more than half of all young people with a disability; almost 6 in 10 young people from the most deprived communities; and over half of all girls, are still participating less frequently than this.

However, a staggering 96% of young people have said that they would like to do more sport, showing a huge level of opportunity if the sporting offer is right.

How will Sport Partnerships help?

There are numerous potential benefits of Sport Partnerships, which will differ in different areas depending on each partnership and what suits them best. 

Sport Partnerships will:

  • Address inequalities in sport participation across Wales.
  • Increase the diversity of strategic partners and delivery mechanisms within the regions.
  • Assist us in ensuring there is the right support and opportunities in place for those who are not regularly physically active – with a clear focus on removing barriers for those who need the most help.
  • Help us take steps to meet the high demand from those who are active but want to do much more.
  • Enable a collective strength, from combining resources, learnings and expertise across each region.
  • Give each region the ability to target resources toward those with the greatest need.

Where will the Sport Partnerships be based?

The five Sport Partnership areas are:

 

A map displaying the five Sport Partnership regions. North Wales consists of Anglesay, Gwynedd, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy and Wrexham. Mid Wales consists of Ceridigion and Powys. West Wales consists of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. Central South consists of Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Gwent consists of Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent.

North Wales’ Sport Partnership, Actif North Wales, was established in 2021-22. As part of their new ten-year strategy, they launched their Innovation Fund in September 2023, supporting projects, initiatives and partnerships that will enable more people to take part in physical activity and sport. 

Read Actif North Wales’ strategy

West Wales’ Sport Partnership, West Wales Sports Partnership, was incorporated in September 2023. West Wales Sport Partnership will operate as a company limited by guarantee (with the potential to adopt a charitable status at the right time), within a robust and transparent governance framework. At its heart will be a balanced, inclusive, diverse, and skilled Board which shall be focused on our strategic direction.