WSA launches its Welsh Champions for Sport Campaign

Paul Dancey on 05/10/2012

To build on the excitement and interest generated by the Olympics and Paralympics and to assist with achieving a lasting Welsh legacy, the Welsh Sports Association has launched its Champions for Sport campaign.

The campaign aims to increase awareness of the positive benefits that participating in sport and outdoor recreation can have on the health, fitness, education and well being of our nation, and through that increased awareness, move sport up the Welsh political agenda.

The Welsh Sports Association has therefore invited Assembly Members to become Welsh Champions of Sport and sign the following pledge:

"I recognise the significance of sport, outdoor pursuits and physical recreation in Welsh life across a wide range of agendas.

I will act as a Welsh Sporting Champion by (in as far as I am reasonably able to do so whenever appropriate) extolling the virtues and importance of sport, outdoor pursuits and physical recreation to the people of Wales - and where possible seeking to address sporting concerns within my constituency in particular and within Wales in general."

The initial response to this invitation has been encouraging, and Assembly members who have already signed up include:
Alun Davies (Blaenau Gwent)
Darren Millar (Clwyd West)
Gwyn Price (Islwyn)
Jane Hutt (VOG)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy)
Julie James (Swansea West)
Ken Skates (Clwyd South)
Mark Isherwood (North Wales)
Michael Hedges (Swansea East)
Mohammad Asghur (South Wales East)
Russell George (Montygomeryshire)
William Graham (South Wales East)

With 6,800 sports or recreation clubs or groups in Wales, there are estimated to be more than half a million individuals participating in sport, outdoor pursuits or physical recreation in Wales each year, making this one of the greatest social movements in Wales.

From our elite sportsmen and women putting Wales on the map through performance at large sporting events to encouraging confidence and participation at a grass-roots level, sport impacts on the lives of everyone in Wales. The benefits and impact of sport are wide.

The WSA therefore believes it's essential that the true benefits of sport are widely understood and taken fully into account when difficult decisions have to be taken in this new age of austerity.

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