Sport and active recreation

Sport and physical activity are vital in promoting health and making people feel good about themselves and as a nation.

Sport and physical activity can bring people together, binding and regenerating communities. 

The Welsh Government aims to:

• Through Sport Wales, widen participation in sport and programmes targeted at increasing physical activity.
• Increase the number of sport coaches and elite athletes in Wales.
• Work with national, UK and international sports federations to ensure that more major sporting events are held in Wales in the future.
• Work with Cardiff County Council to look at the feasibility of bidding to host the 2016 Commonwealth Games.
• Extend our free swimming scheme to veterans and serving armed forces personnel on leave.

Sport Wales

Its vision is to 'Unite a proud sporting nation, where every child is hooked on sport for life and where Wales is a nation of champions'.

The Welsh team at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man recently finished fifth in the medal tables. 31 athletes brought home 26 medals. There is more information about this achievement on the Sport Wales website.

Youth Commonwealth Games success on Sport Wales website (external link)

Grants and funding

Welsh Government funding for sport is channelled through Sport Wales. Sport Wales is the national organization that promotes sport and active lifestyles. It has a number of grants schemes to increase levels of physical activity and sport. For more information about these schemes and how to apply for funding, visit the Grants and Funding pages of the Sport Wales website.

Sport Wales website (external link)