Our latest post in a series of blogs on Community Sport comes from Dot Davies. Dot is an S4C and BBC presenter – she’s a huge sports fan and mother of two young boys.
Someone told me recently that New Zealand kids believe they can walk on water, whereas Welsh kids will ask for their wellies. True? Not sure. But it made me think. Putting aside ideas of an inferiority complex as a nation, where can we begin to instill that 'anything is possible' attitude in our children?
Community Sport. Perhaps I feel even more strongly about this since becoming a parent. Almost without even thinking about it, we have imagined from the day they were born how sport would and should shape them as people with individuals from within our community becoming their mentors, their confidantes, their friends. My children are only four and three yet already involved in rugby and gymnastics allowing them to make friends, teaching them communication and social skills, not to mention the social benefits for myself and the other parents we've met.
A passion for sport is what I truly want for my boys. To want to do their best and to enjoy what comes with that. All this in the hope that sport and the community it thrives within, will help shape mine and all our children as individuals providing not only health, but social benefits.
Who's to say that mine or next door's children aren't capable of being world class footballers, athletes, rowers, cyclists? Anything they want to be. They do however need to be given the opportunity and the encouragement to strive to be the best they can be.
I look around my peers and each one has a story of how this running club and that netball team helped them through their teens. I took it for granted. I'd like to think there will be a wider community who will look out for my children and want the best for them. Sport helps us to achieve that. Community Sport can only be a good thing. Wouldn't it be great if our children feared nothing and left their wellies by the door.
Follow Dot on Twitter @dotdavies1
This blog was written in conjunction with the launch of a strategy for Community Sport in Wales. If you’d like your say, get involved in the debate on twitter – using the hashtag #communitysport and you can mention us @sport_wales
Monday, 23 April 2012
Top tips for setting up your sports business
Our latest Community Sport blog is written by Becky Johnson, General Manager and Head Gymnastics Coach of Planet Gymnastics. She set up her private, family-run enterprise in 2008 and here shares her top tips for setting up a new sports business.
• Be prepared for long hours and late nights
When I first set up Planet Gymnastics, I was working 14 hour days – coming in at 8am and often not leaving before 10pm. But it is all worth it. Get a good support team behind you – staff, partners, parents, whoever – and remember that it will be worth those sleepless nights!
• Persevere even when things get tough
Lots of things happen all the time with a new business. In the first year we were burgled twice, had the loos flooded several times and came up against several expenses which we did not account for. At times it felt that it wasnt worth it but with the support of family, friends staff and even customers we cleaned up and carried on.
• If your business involves something you love its easier to work hard
• Be prepared to keep adapting to your customer base
We send our customers regular feedback forms (especially for the after school club) and newsletters. We hold open days for parents to view classes and give us their feedback. We look at numbers in all classes and change classes if numbers are low for something new. The aim is to make every hour of the timetable work. We have a Facebook page where we share news with members. When we started we thought mother and toddler sessions would generate income for us in the day but there was too much competition in the local area. We now offer after school club and a nursery wraparound service instead to utilise the space in the day.
• Our business runs like a family
We treat all customers as individuals whether they come for one hour a week or 20 hours a week.
Providing gymnastics and dance tuition for all ages, from babies to adult, Planet Gymnastics has ensured a sustainable income from CSSIW registered after school club care. After-school care includes school pick ups and a gymnastics lesson in a fully equipped Gymnastics and Dance centre.
Planet Gymnastics’ classes include Teen Gym, Cheerleading, Street Cheer, Tumbling, Parkour, Artistic Gymnastics, Adult Gymnastics and Pre-school and toddler gymnastics.
Find out more at: http://www.planetgymnastics.co.uk/
This blog was written in conjunction with the launch of a strategy for Community Sport in Wales. If you’d like your say, get involved in the debate on twitter – using the hashtag #communitysport and you can mention us @sport_wales
• Be prepared for long hours and late nights
When I first set up Planet Gymnastics, I was working 14 hour days – coming in at 8am and often not leaving before 10pm. But it is all worth it. Get a good support team behind you – staff, partners, parents, whoever – and remember that it will be worth those sleepless nights!
• Persevere even when things get tough
Lots of things happen all the time with a new business. In the first year we were burgled twice, had the loos flooded several times and came up against several expenses which we did not account for. At times it felt that it wasnt worth it but with the support of family, friends staff and even customers we cleaned up and carried on.
• If your business involves something you love its easier to work hard
• Be prepared to keep adapting to your customer base
We send our customers regular feedback forms (especially for the after school club) and newsletters. We hold open days for parents to view classes and give us their feedback. We look at numbers in all classes and change classes if numbers are low for something new. The aim is to make every hour of the timetable work. We have a Facebook page where we share news with members. When we started we thought mother and toddler sessions would generate income for us in the day but there was too much competition in the local area. We now offer after school club and a nursery wraparound service instead to utilise the space in the day.
• Our business runs like a family
We treat all customers as individuals whether they come for one hour a week or 20 hours a week.
Providing gymnastics and dance tuition for all ages, from babies to adult, Planet Gymnastics has ensured a sustainable income from CSSIW registered after school club care. After-school care includes school pick ups and a gymnastics lesson in a fully equipped Gymnastics and Dance centre.
Planet Gymnastics’ classes include Teen Gym, Cheerleading, Street Cheer, Tumbling, Parkour, Artistic Gymnastics, Adult Gymnastics and Pre-school and toddler gymnastics.
Find out more at: http://www.planetgymnastics.co.uk/
This blog was written in conjunction with the launch of a strategy for Community Sport in Wales. If you’d like your say, get involved in the debate on twitter – using the hashtag #communitysport and you can mention us @sport_wales
Saturday, 21 April 2012
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Friday, 20 April 2012
#communitysport blog - Simon Harding, Thundercat Racing Wales
Our latest Community Sport blog is written by Simon Harding, aged 35, from Neyland in Pembrokeshire, who races powerboats as part of the UK Thundercat Series and has been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in Norway in August. Here, he tells us how he got into this very different sport.
When I left school I worked in Newmarket backing and breaking race horses for Sheikh Mohammed. But after three years I had an accident when a two year-old colt fell back, rolled over on me and broke my pelvis in three places.
I came back to Pembrokeshire and as part of the healing process I started to do some water sports.
I did kayaking and surfing to build some strength in my lower body and got into it that much I managed to get on a course with Pembrokeshire County Council and Waterford Council in Ireland to promote water sports. I became an instructor, got a good few qualifications, and worked for Pembrokeshire water sports for six years and then as a freelance instructor.
I did a lot of work for a very good friend called Ceri Davies, who owns Swansea Water Sports, who got me into power boating and jet skiing. We did demos at the south and north Wales boats shows and I got my first blast in a thundercat and loved every minute. It was a love at first throttle turn!
I did this for few years and bought my first cat. After a year I bought a brand new one and began racing last year. I had a great season and the people involved are so great - if anyone has any problems with their boat or needs anything then everyone helps out. It’s something I really want to be involved in.
I had a very mixed year with some great results but then some very bad luck as well with two weekends with engine problems. This year is looking to be a great season with a new co-pilot in Tom Hamilton, who is a natural in the boat with his experience in racing yachts. We’ve been preparing the boat together.
We are both looking forward to going to the World Championships in Grimsted in Norway in August. We are only the second Welsh boat to ever to make it to the GB team so great news for Welsh sport.
We are also the first boat in the UK championships to become carbon neutral. We are racing but want to think of the environment as well.
When I was young it was just horses and more horses. Some of my friends were into water sports like waterskiing and kayaking and used to do bits in the summer.
I did some work for the Princes Trust as an instructor and found there are so many positive effects on young people when you get them out on the water. If it was out in a boat or kayaking or coasteering or surfing, you just don't know if you are introducing the next World champion of the sport to the water.
Follow Thundercat Racing Wales on Facebook.
This blog was written in conjunction with the launch of a strategy for Community Sport in Wales. If you’d like your say, get involved in the debate on twitter – using the hashtag #communitysport and you can mention us @sport_wales
 |
| UK Thundercat Series racer - Simon Harding |
I came back to Pembrokeshire and as part of the healing process I started to do some water sports.
I did kayaking and surfing to build some strength in my lower body and got into it that much I managed to get on a course with Pembrokeshire County Council and Waterford Council in Ireland to promote water sports. I became an instructor, got a good few qualifications, and worked for Pembrokeshire water sports for six years and then as a freelance instructor.
I did a lot of work for a very good friend called Ceri Davies, who owns Swansea Water Sports, who got me into power boating and jet skiing. We did demos at the south and north Wales boats shows and I got my first blast in a thundercat and loved every minute. It was a love at first throttle turn!
I did this for few years and bought my first cat. After a year I bought a brand new one and began racing last year. I had a great season and the people involved are so great - if anyone has any problems with their boat or needs anything then everyone helps out. It’s something I really want to be involved in.
I had a very mixed year with some great results but then some very bad luck as well with two weekends with engine problems. This year is looking to be a great season with a new co-pilot in Tom Hamilton, who is a natural in the boat with his experience in racing yachts. We’ve been preparing the boat together.
We are both looking forward to going to the World Championships in Grimsted in Norway in August. We are only the second Welsh boat to ever to make it to the GB team so great news for Welsh sport.
We are also the first boat in the UK championships to become carbon neutral. We are racing but want to think of the environment as well.
When I was young it was just horses and more horses. Some of my friends were into water sports like waterskiing and kayaking and used to do bits in the summer.
I did some work for the Princes Trust as an instructor and found there are so many positive effects on young people when you get them out on the water. If it was out in a boat or kayaking or coasteering or surfing, you just don't know if you are introducing the next World champion of the sport to the water.
Follow Thundercat Racing Wales on Facebook.
This blog was written in conjunction with the launch of a strategy for Community Sport in Wales. If you’d like your say, get involved in the debate on twitter – using the hashtag #communitysport and you can mention us @sport_wales
blog #chwaraeoncymunedol - Gary Lewis, Urdd Gobaith Cymru
Mae ein blog diweddaraf am Chwaraeon Cymunedol yn dod gan Gary Lewis, Cyfarwyddwr Chwaraeon Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Mae Adran Chwaraeon yr Urdd yn cyflwyno ystod o glybiau a gweithgareddau chwaraeon yn wythnosol drwy gydol y flwyddyn er mwyn annog plant a phobl ifanc ar hyd a lled Cymru i gael hwyl, cystadlu a pherfformio drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, neu fel dysgwyr Cymraeg.
Prif ffocws yr adran a’i staff yw gweithio gyda chymunedau ar hyd a lled Cymru, gan weithio ar bob lefel, o lawr gwlad i bartneriaethau ag Ysgolion Cynradd ac Uwchradd a hefyd datblygu strwythurau cymunedol er mwyn sicrhau bod plant a phobl ifanc ar hyd a lled Cymru’n cael digon o gyfle i gymryd rhan mewn pecyn amrywiol a chynhwysfawr o weithgareddau cysylltiedig â chwaraeon.
Cyfranogiad yw prif nod Adran Chwaraeon yr Urdd – cael merched a bechgyn ifanc i fod yn egnïol a’u denu at chwaraeon a rhoi diddordebau iddyn nhw y tu allan i’r ysgol. Un elfen sylfaenol o’n gwaith ni yw’r newid hwnnw o gymryd rhan ar gae chwarae’r ysgol i gymryd rhan yn y gymuned. Mae’n hanfodol bod plant a phobl ifanc yn teimlo’n berchen ar eu gweithgareddau er mwyn iddyn nhw deimlo’n rhan o’r clwb cymunedol maen nhw’n ei fynychu ac, yn bwysicach na dim, er mwyn eu cael i gymryd rhan yn egnïol wythnos ar ôl wythnos.
Mae nifer fawr o’n clybiau ni’n cael eu cynnal nawr gan bobl ifanc sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn ystod y 10-15 mlynedd diwethaf. Maen nhw’n cael profiad aruthrol yn cynnal y sesiynau hyn ac mae eu gweld yn cyflwyno’r sesiynau yn ffantastig. Maen nhw’n esiampl ragorol i’r genhedlaeth iau.
Y broses yw ein bod ni’n cyflwyno sesiynau blasu mewn ysgolion i ddechrau, i greu diddordeb yn y gweithgareddau rydyn ni’n eu cynnig yn y gymuned. Rydyn ni’n cyflwyno’r rhain mewn partneriaeth â Champau’r Ddraig, 5x60 a hefyd Adrannau Chwaraeon Awdurdodau Lleol ac yna’n darparu llwybr cynnydd i’n strwythur cymunedol.
Un esiampl dda o’r gwaith rydyn ni’n ei gyflwyno yw ein gweithgarwch ni yng Ngwent ar hyn o bryd.
Dim ond un ysgol gyfun (cyfrwng Cymraeg) sydd yng Ngwent gyfan ar hyn o bryd, ond rydyn ni’n gweithio ar draws tair sir yn rhanbarth Gwent – Casnewydd, Blaenau Gwent a hefyd Sir Fynwy – ac rydyn ni’yn gwneud yn siŵr ein bod ni’n cyfeirio disgyblion o Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw i weithio fel gwirfoddolwyr ym mhob ardal yng Ngwent . Rydyn ni’n dileu’r ffiniau er mwyn gwneud yn siŵr bod pobl yn cael cymryd rhan ble maen nhw’n byw.
Chwaraeon cymunedol yw’r man cychwyn – dyna darddiad chwaraeon. Os edrychwch chi’n gyffredinol ar bethau, mae gan unrhyw gamp sy’n llwyddiannus strwythur chwaraeon mawr ar lawr gwlad. Y cyfle cyntaf i bobl ifanc gymryd rhan mewn chwaraeon yw yn y gymuned. Mae’n gyfrwng mor bwysig i gael plant i fod yn egnïol y tu allan i amgylchedd yr ysgol.
Os oes gennych chi strwythur chwaraeon cymunedol cryf, mae’n cynnig cyfle i blant a phobl ifanc gymryd rhan o oedran ifanc. Yn bwysicach na hynny, os yw’r llwybr hwnnw wedi’i gysylltu â Chorff Rheoli Cenedlaethol, a chlybiau cymunedol eraill, yna mae gennych chi lwybrau cynnydd i fynd â phlant mor bell ag y maent yn dymuno.
Daw’r rhan fwyaf o’n llwyddiannau ni o adeiladu sylfaen gref o oedran ifanc. Yr unig ffordd i wneud hynny yw drwy ddechrau ar y lefel sylfaen; dysgu sgiliau sylfaenol i blant ar gyfer chwaraeon, i roi cychwyn da iddyn nhw ar gyfer pa gamp bynnag maen nhw eisiau cymryd rhan ynddi wrth iddyn nhw ddatblygu a thyfu. Er enghraifft, byddwn ni nawr yn sefydlu ein datblygiad cymunedol yng Nghyfnod Allweddol 1, ble byddwn yn dysgu i’n plant ni i gyd y sgiliau SYLFAENOL y mae arnyn nhw eu hangen er mwyn datblygu a chymryd rhan mewn chwaraeon. Mae gan yr Urdd lwybr clir i bob camp gymunedol ac yna llwybr cystadlu o lefel leol i Gemau Cymru.
Mae’n bwysig rhoi cyfle i blant ddatblygu eu sgiliau iaith y tu allan i amgylchedd yr ysgol a’u datblygu drwy chwaraeon. Rydyn ni wedi gweld bod chwaraeon yn gyfrwng ffantastig ar gyfer hyn, nid yn unig ar gyfer datblygu’r iaith ond hefyd i ddatblygu chwaraeon cymunedol a datblygu plant ifanc a’u cadw nhw’n egnïol. Rydyn ni’n defnyddio model syml; rydyn ni’n datblygu hyfforddwyr, yn dod o hyd i bobl ifanc i weithio gyda hwy ac yna’n creu gweithgareddau hwyliog a chynaliadwy. Mae’n fodel syml sy’n gweithio’n ffantastig ac mae’r iaith yn elfen allweddol o’r llwyddiant hwn.
Mae’n rhoi cyfle i blant fwynhau gweithgareddau cymunedol lleol gan wneud yn siŵr bod yr hyn a gynigir o safon uchel, gydag arweinwyr a gwirfoddolwyr o safon uchel, a gefnogir yn dda iawn, ac sy’n cyflawni i ni. Os yw’r sylfaen yn iawn, yna mae pob math o bethau’n bosib yn fy marn i, i Gymru ac wrth ddatblygu sêr chwaraeon y dyfodol.
Ysgrifennwyd y blog hwn i gyd-fynd â lansiad strategaeth ar gyfer Chwaraeon Cymunedol yng Nghymru. Os hoffech chi ddweud eich barn, byddwch yn rhan o’r drafodaeth ar twitter – gan ddefnyddio’r hashtag #communitysport a gallwch ein crybwyll ni ar @sport_wales
Cyfranogiad yw prif nod Adran Chwaraeon yr Urdd – cael merched a bechgyn ifanc i fod yn egnïol a’u denu at chwaraeon a rhoi diddordebau iddyn nhw y tu allan i’r ysgol. Un elfen sylfaenol o’n gwaith ni yw’r newid hwnnw o gymryd rhan ar gae chwarae’r ysgol i gymryd rhan yn y gymuned. Mae’n hanfodol bod plant a phobl ifanc yn teimlo’n berchen ar eu gweithgareddau er mwyn iddyn nhw deimlo’n rhan o’r clwb cymunedol maen nhw’n ei fynychu ac, yn bwysicach na dim, er mwyn eu cael i gymryd rhan yn egnïol wythnos ar ôl wythnos.
Mae nifer fawr o’n clybiau ni’n cael eu cynnal nawr gan bobl ifanc sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn ystod y 10-15 mlynedd diwethaf. Maen nhw’n cael profiad aruthrol yn cynnal y sesiynau hyn ac mae eu gweld yn cyflwyno’r sesiynau yn ffantastig. Maen nhw’n esiampl ragorol i’r genhedlaeth iau.
Y broses yw ein bod ni’n cyflwyno sesiynau blasu mewn ysgolion i ddechrau, i greu diddordeb yn y gweithgareddau rydyn ni’n eu cynnig yn y gymuned. Rydyn ni’n cyflwyno’r rhain mewn partneriaeth â Champau’r Ddraig, 5x60 a hefyd Adrannau Chwaraeon Awdurdodau Lleol ac yna’n darparu llwybr cynnydd i’n strwythur cymunedol.
Un esiampl dda o’r gwaith rydyn ni’n ei gyflwyno yw ein gweithgarwch ni yng Ngwent ar hyn o bryd.
Dim ond un ysgol gyfun (cyfrwng Cymraeg) sydd yng Ngwent gyfan ar hyn o bryd, ond rydyn ni’n gweithio ar draws tair sir yn rhanbarth Gwent – Casnewydd, Blaenau Gwent a hefyd Sir Fynwy – ac rydyn ni’yn gwneud yn siŵr ein bod ni’n cyfeirio disgyblion o Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw i weithio fel gwirfoddolwyr ym mhob ardal yng Ngwent . Rydyn ni’n dileu’r ffiniau er mwyn gwneud yn siŵr bod pobl yn cael cymryd rhan ble maen nhw’n byw.
Chwaraeon cymunedol yw’r man cychwyn – dyna darddiad chwaraeon. Os edrychwch chi’n gyffredinol ar bethau, mae gan unrhyw gamp sy’n llwyddiannus strwythur chwaraeon mawr ar lawr gwlad. Y cyfle cyntaf i bobl ifanc gymryd rhan mewn chwaraeon yw yn y gymuned. Mae’n gyfrwng mor bwysig i gael plant i fod yn egnïol y tu allan i amgylchedd yr ysgol.
Os oes gennych chi strwythur chwaraeon cymunedol cryf, mae’n cynnig cyfle i blant a phobl ifanc gymryd rhan o oedran ifanc. Yn bwysicach na hynny, os yw’r llwybr hwnnw wedi’i gysylltu â Chorff Rheoli Cenedlaethol, a chlybiau cymunedol eraill, yna mae gennych chi lwybrau cynnydd i fynd â phlant mor bell ag y maent yn dymuno.
Daw’r rhan fwyaf o’n llwyddiannau ni o adeiladu sylfaen gref o oedran ifanc. Yr unig ffordd i wneud hynny yw drwy ddechrau ar y lefel sylfaen; dysgu sgiliau sylfaenol i blant ar gyfer chwaraeon, i roi cychwyn da iddyn nhw ar gyfer pa gamp bynnag maen nhw eisiau cymryd rhan ynddi wrth iddyn nhw ddatblygu a thyfu. Er enghraifft, byddwn ni nawr yn sefydlu ein datblygiad cymunedol yng Nghyfnod Allweddol 1, ble byddwn yn dysgu i’n plant ni i gyd y sgiliau SYLFAENOL y mae arnyn nhw eu hangen er mwyn datblygu a chymryd rhan mewn chwaraeon. Mae gan yr Urdd lwybr clir i bob camp gymunedol ac yna llwybr cystadlu o lefel leol i Gemau Cymru.
Mae’n bwysig rhoi cyfle i blant ddatblygu eu sgiliau iaith y tu allan i amgylchedd yr ysgol a’u datblygu drwy chwaraeon. Rydyn ni wedi gweld bod chwaraeon yn gyfrwng ffantastig ar gyfer hyn, nid yn unig ar gyfer datblygu’r iaith ond hefyd i ddatblygu chwaraeon cymunedol a datblygu plant ifanc a’u cadw nhw’n egnïol. Rydyn ni’n defnyddio model syml; rydyn ni’n datblygu hyfforddwyr, yn dod o hyd i bobl ifanc i weithio gyda hwy ac yna’n creu gweithgareddau hwyliog a chynaliadwy. Mae’n fodel syml sy’n gweithio’n ffantastig ac mae’r iaith yn elfen allweddol o’r llwyddiant hwn.
Mae’n rhoi cyfle i blant fwynhau gweithgareddau cymunedol lleol gan wneud yn siŵr bod yr hyn a gynigir o safon uchel, gydag arweinwyr a gwirfoddolwyr o safon uchel, a gefnogir yn dda iawn, ac sy’n cyflawni i ni. Os yw’r sylfaen yn iawn, yna mae pob math o bethau’n bosib yn fy marn i, i Gymru ac wrth ddatblygu sêr chwaraeon y dyfodol.
Ysgrifennwyd y blog hwn i gyd-fynd â lansiad strategaeth ar gyfer Chwaraeon Cymunedol yng Nghymru. Os hoffech chi ddweud eich barn, byddwch yn rhan o’r drafodaeth ar twitter – gan ddefnyddio’r hashtag #communitysport a gallwch ein crybwyll ni ar @sport_wales
#communitysport blog – Gary Lewis, Urdd Gobaith Cymru
Our latest Community Sport blog is written by Gary Lewis, Sports Director of Urdd Gobaith Cymru. The Urdd Sports Department delivers a range of clubs and sports activities on a weekly basis throughout the year to encourage children and young people across Wales to have fun, compete and perform through the medium of Welsh or as Welsh learners.
The department and it’s staff‘s main focus is to engage with communities across Wales working at all levels from grassroots, to Junior and Secondary Schools partneships and also developing community structures in order to ensure that children and young people across Wales have plenty of opportunity to participate in a varied and comprenensive package of sport related activities.
Participation is the Urdd Sports Department's main objective – getting young girls and boys active and getting them into sport and giving them interests outside of the school. A fundemental part of our work is that transition from school playground into the community. It’s vital that children and Young people have ownership of their activities in order for them to feel part of the community club which they attend and most importantly to get them actively involved week in week out.
A large number of our clubs are now being run by young people who have participated in clubs over the past 10-15 years. They gain tremendous experience in running these sessions and seeing them actually delivering the sessions is fantastic. They are great role models to the younger generation.
The Process is that we initially deliver taster sessions in schools, to create an interest for what activities we’re offering in the community. We deliver this in partnerhip with Dragon Sport, 5x60, as well as Local Authority Sports departments and then provide an exit route into our community structure.
A good example of the work that we deliver is the work that we’re doing in Gwent at the moment.
Currenty there is only one (Welsh language) comprehensive school covering the whole of Gwent but we are working across three counties in Gwent – Newport, Blaenau Gwent and also Monmouthshire – and we’re making sure that we signpost pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw to work as volunteers to all areas of Gwent. We’re taking the boundaries away to make sure that people can take part wherever they live.
Community sport is where it all starts – that is the root of sport. I think if you look generally across the board any sport that is succesful have got a big, strong structure at grassroots level. The first opportunity for young people to play a sport is within the community. It’s such an important vehicle to get children active outside of the school environment.
If you’ve got a strong community sport structure it gives children and young people the opportunity to participate from a young age. Most importantly if you’ve got that pathway linked in to National Governing Bodies, and other community clubs, then you’ve got exit routes to take children as far as they want to go.
Most of our success comes from building a strong foundation at a young age. The only way you can do this is to start at the foundation level; giving children fundamental basic skills for sports that gives them a really good start in whatever sport they want to particpate in as they develop and grow. For instance, we will now start our community development at Key Stage 1, where we will give all our children the BASIC skills needed to develop and play sport. The Urdd have a clear pathway for all community sports and a competition pathway from the local level to Gemau Cymru.
It’s important to give children the opportunity to develop their language skills outside the school environment and to develop it through sport. We’ve found through sport, by the numbers that have participated, it’s been a fantastic vehicle. Not only for developing the language but for developing community sport and developing young children and keeping them active. It’s a simple model that we use; we develop coaches, we find young people to work with and then create fun, sustainable activities. It’s a simple model that works fantastically well and the language is a key element to this success product.
It’s just giving children the opportunity to access local community activites and to make sure that what is on offer is of a high quality, with high quality leaders and volunteers, who are being supported really well and are delivering it for us. I think if that foundation is right the world is our oyster for Wales and for developing future stars.
This blog was written in conjunction with the launch of a strategy for Community Sport in Wales. If you’d like your say, get involved in the debate on twitter – using the hashtag #communitysport and you can mention us @sport_wales
The department and it’s staff‘s main focus is to engage with communities across Wales working at all levels from grassroots, to Junior and Secondary Schools partneships and also developing community structures in order to ensure that children and young people across Wales have plenty of opportunity to participate in a varied and comprenensive package of sport related activities.A large number of our clubs are now being run by young people who have participated in clubs over the past 10-15 years. They gain tremendous experience in running these sessions and seeing them actually delivering the sessions is fantastic. They are great role models to the younger generation.
The Process is that we initially deliver taster sessions in schools, to create an interest for what activities we’re offering in the community. We deliver this in partnerhip with Dragon Sport, 5x60, as well as Local Authority Sports departments and then provide an exit route into our community structure.
A good example of the work that we deliver is the work that we’re doing in Gwent at the moment.
Currenty there is only one (Welsh language) comprehensive school covering the whole of Gwent but we are working across three counties in Gwent – Newport, Blaenau Gwent and also Monmouthshire – and we’re making sure that we signpost pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw to work as volunteers to all areas of Gwent. We’re taking the boundaries away to make sure that people can take part wherever they live.
Community sport is where it all starts – that is the root of sport. I think if you look generally across the board any sport that is succesful have got a big, strong structure at grassroots level. The first opportunity for young people to play a sport is within the community. It’s such an important vehicle to get children active outside of the school environment.
If you’ve got a strong community sport structure it gives children and young people the opportunity to participate from a young age. Most importantly if you’ve got that pathway linked in to National Governing Bodies, and other community clubs, then you’ve got exit routes to take children as far as they want to go.
Most of our success comes from building a strong foundation at a young age. The only way you can do this is to start at the foundation level; giving children fundamental basic skills for sports that gives them a really good start in whatever sport they want to particpate in as they develop and grow. For instance, we will now start our community development at Key Stage 1, where we will give all our children the BASIC skills needed to develop and play sport. The Urdd have a clear pathway for all community sports and a competition pathway from the local level to Gemau Cymru.
It’s important to give children the opportunity to develop their language skills outside the school environment and to develop it through sport. We’ve found through sport, by the numbers that have participated, it’s been a fantastic vehicle. Not only for developing the language but for developing community sport and developing young children and keeping them active. It’s a simple model that we use; we develop coaches, we find young people to work with and then create fun, sustainable activities. It’s a simple model that works fantastically well and the language is a key element to this success product.
It’s just giving children the opportunity to access local community activites and to make sure that what is on offer is of a high quality, with high quality leaders and volunteers, who are being supported really well and are delivering it for us. I think if that foundation is right the world is our oyster for Wales and for developing future stars.
This blog was written in conjunction with the launch of a strategy for Community Sport in Wales. If you’d like your say, get involved in the debate on twitter – using the hashtag #communitysport and you can mention us @sport_wales
Thursday, 19 April 2012
#communitysport – South Wales Police
Our latest Community Sport blog is written by South Wales Police’ Divisional Commander of Eastern BCU Chief Superintendent Alun Thomas.
HERE in Cardiff we are extremely fortunate to have the very first event of the 2012 Olympics.
A number of events are being held in Cardiff, athletes will be based here, and of course the Torch will be passing through.
This presents a fantastic opportunity to encourage our young people to get involved in sport.
As a police force we see the positive impact sport can have in bringing communities together and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.
Sport teaches young people discipline, respect and team spirit which benefit not only themselves as individuals but the wider community.
Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams regularly organise local sporting events from football tournaments to skating sessions which help take young people off the streets where they can become victims or perpetrators of crime and disorder.
These events also encourage positive contact between young people from different parts of the city, therefore improving community cohesion.
Crime is at a 25-year low in South Wales but we cannot become complacent.
Achieving an even safer capital is a team-effort in which sport has a part to play.
With the Olympics right here on our doorstep, there is no better time to become part of this winning team.
This blog was written in conjunction with the launch of a strategy for Community Sport in Wales. If you’d like your say, get involved in the debate on twitter – using the hashtag #communitysport
HERE in Cardiff we are extremely fortunate to have the very first event of the 2012 Olympics.
A number of events are being held in Cardiff, athletes will be based here, and of course the Torch will be passing through.
This presents a fantastic opportunity to encourage our young people to get involved in sport.
As a police force we see the positive impact sport can have in bringing communities together and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.
Sport teaches young people discipline, respect and team spirit which benefit not only themselves as individuals but the wider community.
Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams regularly organise local sporting events from football tournaments to skating sessions which help take young people off the streets where they can become victims or perpetrators of crime and disorder.
These events also encourage positive contact between young people from different parts of the city, therefore improving community cohesion.
Crime is at a 25-year low in South Wales but we cannot become complacent.
Achieving an even safer capital is a team-effort in which sport has a part to play.
With the Olympics right here on our doorstep, there is no better time to become part of this winning team.
This blog was written in conjunction with the launch of a strategy for Community Sport in Wales. If you’d like your say, get involved in the debate on twitter – using the hashtag #communitysport
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