02-07-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
New fund to get women and girls active in West Wales
The West Wales Sports Partnership, supported by funding from the National Lottery and Sport Wales, has launched an Innovation Fund aimed at reimagining how sport and physical activity are delivered across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.
A key focus of the fund is increasing participation among women and girls.
Jamie Rewbridge, CEO of the West Wales Sports Partnership, said: "The Innovation Fund is not just about funding projects—it represents a new way of working, built on collaboration, co-creation, and shared learning."
Six projects have been funded, involving more than 35 partners.
One of the projects, Hooked, will use boxing-inspired activities to engage young women in areas of socioeconomic deprivation, while Tri Together: Your Time to Tri will deliver a triathlon-style programme co-designed by women, for women.
Equity in Action will work with young women at a local mosque to co-create activities.
Another project will see young women trained as peer researchers to identify barriers and opportunities for participation, with their findings informing future schemes.
Dr Sue Barnes, chair of the West Wales Sports Partnership, said: "This is a huge milestone for West Wales, and the Sports Partnership.
"We know that being physically active has significant benefits physically and mentally – yet we also know that, for many, becoming physically active has challenges.
"For our first Innovation Funding Round we chose to prioritise women and girls – as we know this is an area where participation is highly variable and many are missing out on the opportunity to improve their health and wellbeing."
The partnership extended thanks to the Centre for Health, Activity and Wellbeing Research (CAWR) at Cardiff Met for their guidance in shaping the programme, and to the Welsh Institute of Physical Activity, Health & Sport (WIPAHS), which is leading monitoring and evaluation.
Mr Rewbridge said: "This collective effort lays the foundation for a more connected, inclusive, and responsive approach to sport and physical activity in our communities.
"We look forward to learning and evolving alongside our partners as we bring these ambitious ideas to life."
