The Impact of the Welsh Sports Foundation Pilot Project
The Welsh Sports Foundation (WSF) is committed to breaking down barriers to physical activity and ensuring that all young people in Wales can participate in sports and recreational activities. The initial Pilot Project of the charity’s ground-breaking initiative has already highlighted a significant and urgent need for its support in fostering inclusivity and accessibility.
Empowering Access Through Collaboration
Between May and September 2024, WSF worked with referral agents to identify individuals facing financial or social barriers to participation. Through its innovative sports voucher system, £2,000 worth of funding was allocated to 13 beneficiaries, covering costs such as sports lessons, club subscriptions, or activity fees.
The vouchers, designed to provide either partial or full funding, were a key component of the pilot’s goal: to test the feasibility and real-world impact of this system.
Insights from the Pilot
The pilot project partnered with two referral agents: Y Bont in Gwynedd and ACE in Cardiff. Together, they facilitated access to nine different sports and activities, including:
- Gym and Fitness
- Swimming
- Boxing
- Climbing
- Tennis
- Sports Camps
- Basketball
- Gymnastics
- Football
While most beneficiaries were already involved in their chosen activities, many were at risk of dropping out due to financial or personal circumstances. The pilot not only enabled continued participation but also unearthed compelling stories that underline the necessity of WSF’s work.
Transformative Stories of Support
- Choosing Between Two Children
One grant was awarded to a young girl whose parents were struggling financially. They faced an impossible decision: to support only one of their two children in sport. While they chose to prioritize their son due to its role in keeping him away from anti-social behavior, WSF stepped in to fund their daughter’s opportunity, ensuring she too could continue her passion.
- Volunteering in Return
A single mother, unable to afford her daughter’s club fees despite a discretionary discount, found relief through WSF’s support. In return, she began volunteering at the club, giving back to the community that embraced her family.
- Respite for a Young Carer
One young carer, responsible for her disabled parent and three younger siblings, risked losing the only personal time she had each week. Thanks to WSF’s support, she could maintain her participation in sport, providing much-needed physical and mental respite.
Building Partnerships for Greater Reach
The pilot underscored the power of collaboration. By partnering with the Football Association of Wales’ PAWB Fund, WSF referred applicants to the FAW’s hardship program. This not only raised awareness of additional resources but also increased WSF’s available funds by 30%.
Feedback from referral agents further highlighted the program’s critical role. One agent shared:
“One family expressed their gratitude, stating this was the only tangible support anyone could provide in their time of crisis. It gave them hope that their child’s energy would be focused positively.”
Another noted:
“One mother expressed that she was grateful that the award meant they could go swimming as a family and that this would benefit the child’s health. This mother also noted that prolonged periods in hospital meant her child had missed out on swimming lessons in school and that there was now a chance that she could catch up and that this would help her self-esteem.”
Looking Ahead
The Welsh Sports Foundation Pilot Project has provided invaluable insights into the potential of the Welsh Sports Foundation to transform lives through sport. By directly paying vouchers to delivery agents, the initiative ensured transparency and ease of access for beneficiaries.
Learn all about the Welsh Sports Foundation here.
