Travelling around West Wales, our Sport Diversity Cymru team has been providing a listening ear to organisations that want to make sport more inclusive.
Over two days, Sport Diversity Cymru hit the road across West Wales, meeting community groups, clubs, and organisations. From Swansea to Llanelli, Pembrokeshire, and Haverfordwest, we connected with passionate people making a difference – but also heard firsthand about the challenges they face in making sport accessible and inclusive for all.
SWANSEA: BREAKING BARRIERS
Our first stop was Swansea, where we met with the African Community Centre, SCVS, and the Centre for African Entrepreneurship. Each organisation highlighted common barriers – lack of space, rising costs, transport issues, and difficulty accessing funding.
We discussed practical solutions, offering advice on funding portals, signposting to relevant partners, and sharing details about our upcoming West Wales event and Sport Diversity Cymru Staff Network. The network is a supportive space for ethnic minority staff and volunteers in Welsh sport. It offers peer support, networking, and a platform to discuss challenges, share experiences, and drive change in the sector. Register your attendance for our next meeting on Wednesday 16 April 2025.
LLANELLI: CHAMPIONING REFUGEES AND TACKLING RACISM
In Llanelli, we had an inspiring meeting with Sion and Delyth from Llanelli Town Council, who are doing fantastic work supporting Syrian refugees. Sion spoke passionately about the challenges of tackling racial abuse and poverty.
We connected him with key contacts, including the Sport Wales investment team, to explore funding opportunities. To support a more inclusive and informed community, we also shared resources on race and cultural awareness modules, along with details of our Ramadan seminar, aimed at fostering greater understanding and engagement across cultures.
PEMBROKESHIRE: ENGAGING DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGH SPORT
At Pembroke Rugby Club, we joined a coffee morning group eager to make their club more inclusive. Their main challenge? Engaging with diverse communities.
We brainstormed ideas and connected them with local cricket initiatives, recognising the sport’s popularity among underrepresented groups. We also shared funding opportunities – from environmental grants to help improve facilities, to race and inclusion training modules to support their diversity journey.
HAVERFORDWEST: EMPOWERING WOMEN AND CHILDREN AT THE MOSQUE
At Haverfordwest Mosque, we had an insightful conversation with Afia about the strong demand from women to engage in sports and physical activity. Despite this enthusiasm, many women face cultural and practical barriers that make it difficult to participate. There’s a clear appetite for more opportunities, and we’re committed to supporting the mosque in creating inclusive, accessible sessions for women and children to get active and stay connected.
We explored ideas for women-only sessions tailored to their needs, such as fitness classes, walking groups, or even social activities with a physical element.
In contrast to Swansea, here they have ample space as the community have fund-raised to purchase an old derelict former Tax office building.
Additionally, we explored sustainable solutions including funding for solar panels. This will help ease the mosque’s rising heating costs across its three buildings. Lowering these costs could free up resources to reinvest in activities for the community, creating a lasting positive impact.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: LISTENING, LEARNING, AND LEADING CHANGE
This road trip wasn’t just about offering solutions – it was about listening. Each visit reinforced the urgent need for tailored support, better access to facilities, and cultural understanding to ensure sport feels truly inclusive for everyone.
WEST WALES COMMUNITY AND SPORT ENGAGEMENT EVENT
Our next step is to bring everyone together – local diverse communities and sports organisations – to network, share best practices, tackle challenges, and learn from one another. Our upcoming event is all about building connections, fostering collaboration, and exploring how we can create a more inclusive, thriving sports environment for everyone in the West Wales region.
Join us for this exciting West Wales Community and Sport Engagement Event in Swansea at the EYST drop-in centre on Thursday 8 May 2025.
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