Sport: A level playing field

The Welsh Language Commissioner has worked with many of the national governing bodies of sport by sharing information on how to increase their Welsh medium provision.

According to the 2011 Census results the age group with the highest percentage of Welsh speakers is 10 -14 year olds, of which 42.2% speak Welsh.  

There has been a steady increase in the percentage of 3-4 year olds who speak Welsh and experts believe that this figure should increase again by the next census.

With the number of young people with Welsh language skills increasing it’s possible that there will be a greater demand for Welsh medium services. 

The advantages of offering Welsh medium services:

¢  Offering services in Welsh is a way of giving your members a comprehensive service.

¢  It’s a way of showing pride in your Welsh identity.

¢  It can help you to reach new audiences through gaining coverage in Welsh language media.

¢  It can help you to increase membership and gain new volunteers

¢  Offering Welsh medium services can be a grant condition.


Where to start?

¢  Conduct an audit of your staff, trainers and volunteers’ Welsh language skills.

¢  Assess your current Welsh medium provision.

¢  Identify any gap in your current provision and identify opportunities to fill those gaps.

¢  Encourage your athletes, trainers and members to use their Welsh language skills.

¢  Ensure that you include Welsh language content in your marketing materials.

¢  Ensure that you include Welsh medium provision in your planning from the outset; it’s much easier than trying to translate or to recruit Welsh speaking volunteers at the last minute. 

What can the Welsh Language Commissioner offer you?
We can offer you tailored support on how to increase your Welsh medium provision.

Free proofreading service, up to a 1,000 words – if you can prepare the text in Welsh we can get it proof-read by a professional translator. 

 Training on Welsh language awareness and practical guidance on how to develop Welsh medium services.

Guidance on how to recruit Welsh speaking volunteers

If you would like further information on how the Commissioner may be able to offer guidance contact:

post@WelshLanguageCommissioner.org

0845 6033 221

Creating an elite sporting environment

Way before Kylie joined the Welsh team at the closing ceremony (it wasn't a private gig unfortunately!) to celebrate their fantastic medal haul, back at Sport Wales HQ we were already busy putting plans in place for their return.

 

We wanted to ensure we were shouting their success from the rooftops. And what better place to celebrate than the home of Welsh sport? Our Marketing Manager Adam Fairbank explains more about the importance of creating an inspiring elite sporting environment.

 

Marketing Manager Adam Fairbank

 

   

Why is the environment so important?

Sport inspires. At Sport Wales it is our role to not only work with current sporting superstars such as Aled Davies, Frankie Jones and Natalie Powell but also inspire the next generation of Welsh athletes who will follow in their footsteps.

Frankie Jones outside 'her' window

 

How many young gymnasts will feel inspired to train harder after seeing Frankie Jones on the front windows of the Sport Wales National Centre?

 

Well here's one for starters...

 

Gymnast inspired by golden girl Frankie Jones

 

But it’s not just about inspiring the athletes who use the centre. Everyone here will have their own personal podium. Being surrounded by success, breeds success and the elite brand messaging and imagery of medal success motivates individuals to be the best they can be, whatever their goal.

 

The physical environment also provides us with a fantastic tool in our armoury to communicate our organisational attitude and the culture we want to create. We expect success. Team Wales' performance in Glasgow showed the sporting world just how strong a sporting nation we are. We no longer punch above our weight, we are a force to be reckoned with and we are not afraid to shout loud and proud.

 

 

We're passionate about sport, we believe in the difference that sport can make at so many levels of Welsh society and we are not shy in communicating the difference we make. The Sport Wales National Centre provides us with a perfect canvas on which to do this.

 

We also wanted to create a stronger link between the athletes and those people who work in the centre. Each of the athletes who won a medal in Glasgow will have an intrinsic link to the fantastic team at Sport Wales. Our grants team may have awarded a grant to their club or our housekeeping team has ensured they get the best night’s sleep when they stay at the centre. Maybe they have eaten in our Hwb cafeteria or they have spent the day with our sport science and medicine team. We are all part of Team Wales. We have all played a pivotal role in the success and we shouldn't be afraid to pat ourselves on the back.

 

There's still plenty of work to do - plenty more wall space to fill and much more sporting success to come I am sure.  So next time your near Sophia Gardens, why not pop in and see for yourself.