Sport and leisure matter to people in Wales. Through participating in physical activity, people develop skills and technical ability, interact with others and express their individuality.
Local authorities are responsible for providing leisure facilities and services for its communities, from leisure centres and village halls to parks and open spaces. They also provide a wide range of sporting and physical activities for people of all ages within the locality.
Promoting and increasing physical activity is a key issue within the health agenda at the moment and local authorities are continually looking for ways to increase participation in sport and active recreation within their communities to strive towards a healthier Wales.
The WLGA has contributed to the development of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Free Swimming Initiative, which provides children and young people aged 16 and people aged 60+ with access to free swimming at their local public swimming pools. The WLGA works closely with Chief Leisure Officers from Local Authorities and also works in partnership with the Sports Council of Wales to move the leisure agenda forward in Wales.
The Welsh Assembly Government’s strategy for sport and active recreation, Climbing Higher, sets out key targets to be achieved within this policy area until 2023, and with the advent of the London 2012 Olympics, physical activity is set to play an increasingly important role in our lives.
For more information contact: Heledd Bebb