Gweithio mewn Partneriaeth â’r Urdd - Kathryn Thomas

Mae Chwaraeon Cymru wedi lawnsio £250,000 o byddsoddiad i mewn i'r Urdd i sicrhau bod miloedd mwy o blant a phobol ifanc yn gwirioni ar chwaraon am oes. Dyma agwedd Uwch Swyddog Chwaraeon Cymru, Kathryn Thomas, sydd yn gweithio'n agos gyda Adran Chwaraeon yr Urdd.  

Yr Urdd yw’r mudiad ieuenctid mwyaf yng Nghymru gyda mwy na 50,000 o aelodau. Mae Chwaraeon Cymru wedi gweithio mewn partneriaeth â’r Urdd ers nifer o flynyddoedd ar ei raglen chwaraeon cymunedol. Mae wedi cael canlyniadau rhagorol ac wedi tynnu sylw at y galw cynyddol am ddarparu cyfleoedd chwaraeon drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg.

Yng ngoleuni hyn, a gyda lansiad diweddar Strategaeth Chwaraeon Cymunedol y sector, sydd ag amcan o gael pob plentyn i wirioni ar chwaraeon am oes, mae Chwaraeon Cymru yn credu’n gryf bod yr Urdd yn bartner arwyddocaol wrth iddo geisio cyrraedd y nod hwn. Gyda’i rwydwaith cynyddol o Swyddogion Datblygu Chwaraeon, hyfforddwyr a gwirfoddolwyr, yn ystod y flwyddyn sydd i ddod bydd cyfleoedd ar lefelau amrywiol yn cael eu cynnig ym mhob un o’r 22 awdurdod lleol ledled Cymru.  

Y nod yw darparu cyfleoedd mewn amrywiaeth o chwaraeon yn yr holl grwpiau oedran. Bydd safon y sesiynau a’r clybiau’n amrywio er mwyn darparu ar gyfer pob gallu, a bydd cyswllt cynyddol â Chyrff Rheoli Cenedlaethol yn sicrhau bod cyfleoedd i blant symud ymlaen ar hyd y llwybr chwaraeon.                      

Mae’r targedau sydd wedi’u gosod yn uchelgeisiol iawn - 1300 o wirfoddolwyr a hyfforddwyr i sefydlu clybiau newydd a datblygu adrannau newydd mewn clybiau presennol; sefydlu 60 o glybiau newydd yn cynnig chwaraeon penodol a 68 o glybiau aml-chwaraeon newydd – a bydd y rhain i gyd ar wahân i gynnal a chadw’r clybiau presennol y ceir bron i 100 ohonynt mewn pocedi bychain ar hyd a lled Cymru. Ceir hefyd y 42,000 o blant a phobl ifanc y mae’r Urdd am eu cynnwys drwy gyfrwng ei strwythur cystadlu.     

Fel y swyddog sy’n gweithio gyda’r Urdd, rydw i wedi gweld yn uniongyrchol sut mae’r Urdd yn gweithio ag ysgolion, timau datblygu chwaraeon yr awdurdodau lleol a Chyrff Rheoli Cenedlaethol er mwyn creu cyfleoedd newydd nad oedd yn bodoli o’r blaen. Mae rhai’n ystyried gwaith yr Urdd fel dyblygiad ond, gyda clybiau’n llawn a cheisiadau aml am sesiynau ychwanegol, mae’n amlwg bod galw heb ei fodloni’n bod.

Mae’r targedau sydd wedi’u gosod ar gyfer y flwyddyn sydd i ddod yn uchelgeisiol a dweud y lleiaf, ond gyda brand cryf, enw da am gyflwyno, profiad, angerdd a gwybodaeth y staff, a’r galw cynyddol am yr iaith Gymraeg, maen nhw’n siŵr o gael eu cyrraedd.

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Working in Partnership with the Urdd - Kathryn Thomas

Sport Wales has today announced a landmark £250,000 investment into the Welsh language youth organisation, the Urdd, to ensure thousands more children and young people get hooked on sport for life. We hear from Sport Wales Senior Officer, Kathryn Thomas, who works closely with the Urdd's Sport Department.

The Urdd is the largest youth organisation in Wales with a growing membership of over 50,000. Sport Wales has worked in partnership with the Urdd over a number of years on their community sports programme, which has demonstrated excellent results and has highlighted the growing demand for sporting opportunities to be provided through the medium of Welsh.

In light of this, and with the recent launch of the sectors Community Sport Strategy with the aim of getting every child hooked on sport for life, Sport Wales strongly believe the Urdd is a significant partner in striving to achieve this end goal. With their growing network of Sports Development Officers, coaches and volunteers, over the forthcoming year opportunities of varying levels will be offered in each of the 22 local authorities across Wales.

The aim is to provide opportunities in a range of sports across all age groups. Sessions and clubs will be of varying standards to cater for all abilities, and the increased links with National Governing Bodies will ensure there are opportunities for youngsters to progress through the sporting pathway.

The targets set are very ambitious - 1300 volunteers and coaches to start up new clubs and develop new sections within existing clubs; the establishment of 60 new sport specific clubs and 68 new multi sport clubs – all of which are separate to the maintenance and sustainability of the existing clubs of which there is close to 100 in small pockets across Wales. There is also the 42,000 children and young people the Urdd want to engage through their competition structure.

As the officer working with the Urdd, I have seen first-hand how the Urdd works collaboratively with schools, local authority sports development teams and National Governing Bodies to create new opportunities that previously didn’t exist. Some consider the work of the Urdd as duplication however with clubs at capacity and frequent requests for additional sessions, there is clearly unmet demand.

The targets set for the forthcoming year are ambitious to say the least, but with the strong brand, the reputation to deliver, the experience, passion and knowledge of the staff, and the growing demand for the Welsh language they are sure to be achieved.

50 FAMILY TIPS TO GET ACTIVE - DAY 5

Every day this week, Sport Wales has been on hand with top tips to encourage you to get active with your family…

London 2012 is just around the corner and while you might not fancy yourself as the next sporting great, there’s no better time to be inspired to get involved.

41.       Organise your own family Opening and Closing Ceremony dance routines - all that fancy footwork will burn off some energy and stop the kids getting bored in the school holidays.

42.       And talking of Opening and Closing Ceremonies, get younger children and their friends together to make flags and march around the garden or park. They can each adopt a nation.

43.       Make a big medal table and display it in the house. Update the results for everyone involved in your sporty challenges to keep everyone motivated

44.       Hula hoops are often overlooked. But they’re cheap, fun to use and there’s so much you can do with them. From seeing how long they can keep it going round their waist, to rolling and catching it before it falls, skipping with it, to throwing it. rab a hoop and join in!

45.       It’s important to showcase that sport is for all, no matter what challenges you face. Encourage your children to watch the Paralympics and they are sure to be inspired! For more information on opportunities for the disabled, contact the friendly folk at Disability Sport Wales.

46.        Haven’t got tickets for the Games? Then opt for sporting events in Wales like the Welsh Athletics International on July 18th at Cardiff International Sport Stadium.

47.       Wales has a strong history of producing first class sprinters like Christian Malcolm. So celebrate by inviting the neighbours over and running relay races.

48.       Dig out and dust off the rollerblades – they provide a great workout!

49.       For the first time ever, Wales is sending two boxers to the Olympics – try out boxercise in the garden. You’ll soon all be burning the calories!

50.   Or maybe you prefer to get your kicks out of judo? Find your nearest club here

And remember to look out for Come and Try sport sessions within your local authority or why not go along to your local sports club. For more information, just contact the sport of your choice!

Remember to check out our other blogs this week for all 50 tips!

50 FAMILY TIPS TO GET ACTIVE - DAY 4

Every day this week until Friday, Sport Wales will be on hand with top tips to encourage you to get active with your family…

London 2012 is just around the corner and while you might not fancy yourself as the next sporting great, there’s no better time to be inspired to get involved.

31.        Make like Andy Murray and organise a family tennis tournament. Remember to reward yourselves with some strawberries afterwards


32.       If you have family members with disabilities, there’s no reason why you can’t undertake activities together. There’s an increasing number of clubs offering inclusive opportunities – contact Disability Sport Wales for more information

33.       Croquets sets are often to be found on the supermarket shelves at this time of year. It’s perfect for a spot of garden fun

34.       Inspired by Usain Bolt, then set up a finishing line and get racing! Record times with a stopwatch to encourage the kids to beat their personal best

35.       Beach Volleyball is a relatively young Olympic sport, making its full debut in Atlanta 1996. Since then its popularity has rocketed and it looks to be a crowd favourite at London 2012. Get yourself a net and pack it in the car for beach trips!

36.       Wales’ rhythmic gymnast Frankie Jones is set to compete in Wembley Arena from 9 August. Encourage your family to watch and cheer her on. Make sure there are hula hoops and ribbons on standby – they’ll be revved up to have a go themselves

37.       Come London 2012, prepare to be dazzled by the athletes in the trampolining. Trampolines are a firm fixture many a garden these days. The family will be keen to show off their acrobatic excellence! To fin your nearest club, contact Welsh Gymnastics.

38.       Expose your children to a wide variety of sports this summer. Watching different sports – whether it’s hockey, sailing or badminton or something else – your children will be inspired by an activity. Capture their interest and get in touch with the sport’s governing body to find your nearest club!

39.       Why not set up a garden treasure hunt? Make a map and lead clues to the treasure. Or design an obstacle course – they could weave through buckets, limbo under a pole and leap over a sandpit. Give it a London 2012 theme and make medals the treasure

40.   A fun family activity for toddlers and younger school children is animal magic - see who can hop like a bunny, walk like a spider, stretch like a cat or run like a monkey.

And remember to look out for Come and Try sport sessions within your local authority or why not go along to your local sports club. For more information, just contact the sport of your choice!

50 FAMILY TIPS TO GET ACTIVE - DAY 3

Every day this week until Friday, Sport Wales will be on hand with top tips to encourage you to get active with your family…

London 2012 is just around the corner and while you might not fancy yourself as the next sporting great, there’s no better time to be inspired to get involved.

21.       Children aged between 3 and 7 should be introduced to games and activities that make them huff and puff! There are loads of games and ideas on the Sport Wales Play to Learn website to get you off to a flying start

22.       Suggest family and friends adopt an athlete or a nation to help them take an interest in all things London 2012

23.       Cricket might not be in the Olympics or Paralympics yet but don’t let that stop you! Kwik-cricket is perfect for sunny days

24.       Little ones love storytime, but they’re not just for bedtime or quiet time. Get them acting out the actions to stories. Going on a Bear Hunt is perfect for this and Sport Wales have even developed stories that contain plenty of opportunities to develop movement skills like hopping, crawling and jumping. Interactive versions of the stories are available on www.playtolearn.org.uk  or you can buy the specially designed books at www.sportwales.org.uk/shop

25.       Organise fun days out that involve exercise. Try family bike rides or trips to the swimming pool. If you’re looking for something a bit different, find your nearest ice rink or climbing wall

26.       Five out of the 12-strong British table tennis Paralympic team are Welsh! So why not try your hand at counter-smashes and drop shots. It’s a great family-friendly sport http://www.ttaw.co.uk/

27.       A large pavement-type area is ideal for an outdoor obstacle course. Together, chalk out imaginative obstacles such as hurdles, rowing boats and Olympic rings to form an obstacle course for your children. The first person to successfully make it entirely through the course is the winner.

28.       Celebrate the fact that Olympic football will be coming to the Millennium Stadium and challenge the kids to a ‘keepy-uppy’ competition or to a penalty shoot-out

29.      Organise a beach trip or barbecue at the park and incorporate a trek into the trip

 30.   Pack a Frisbee in your picnic hamper

And remember to look out for Come and Try sport sessions within your local authority or why not go along to your local sports club. For more information, just contact the sport of your choice!

50 FAMILY TIPS TO GET ACTIVE - DAY 2

50 DAYS TO GO BLOG – 50 WAYS TO GET INSPIRED BY LONDON 2012 AND GET ACTIVE

Every day this week until Friday, Sport Wales will be on hand with top tips to encourage you to get active with your family…

London 2012 is just around the corner and while you might not fancy yourself as the next sporting great, there’s no better time to be inspired to get involved.

11. Organise a beach trip or barbecue at the park and incorporate a trek into the trip

12.   Recreate old school sports days with sack races, three legged races and egg and spoon

13.   As we venture into days gone past, why not revive old sing-a-long skipping games like High, Low, Dolly, Pepper

14.   Grab yourself some chalk and sketch out hopscotch on the yard or your pavement  - and get hopping!

15.   Put Saturday 4 August in your diary now! Helen Jenkins is set to compete in the triathlon. Celebrate and cheer her on by staging a mini triathlon of swimming, a bike ride and a run. You can stage it over a weekend if it’s all too much for one day.

16.   Rounders is a great way to while away the hours and get the competitive juices flowing. You don’t need to be too strict with the rules either – just have fun!

17.   Take inspiration from Geraint Thomas, Mark Colbourne and Nicole Cooke. Get on your bike with the family in tow and set out to discover some stunning parts of the Welsh countryside.

18.   If you fancy going a little further afield you could negotiate Wales’ coastal paths and cycle trails and discover all that Wales has to offer – beautiful scenery, lakes, mountains and coastline make it a captivating place to tour.

19.   Make your sporting challenges fun and mix it up for variety – let your children come up with ideas too

20.   Praise and support – if they get the basic movement skills right at an early age, children are more likely to be physically active and to enjoy sport later in life

And remember to look out for Come and Try sport sessions within your local authority or why not go along to your local sports club. For more information, just contact the sport of your choice!