The reason that the women enjoy the session and keep coming back is because it is full of people from their community. They see familiar faces and they don’t feel judged for wanting to cover up in the pool. For women of an ethnic background, it can take a lot of time to build trust and to integrate.
Local authorities, sport governing bodies and national partners applied for a share of this ‘capital funding’. Sport Wales prioritised applications that:
- Improve energy efficiency and sustainability
- Make sport more inclusive for everyone
- Support the development of talented athletes
What type of projects have received funding?
We found that a lot of girls love the gym but can be anxious because they don’t know what they’re doing. That’s why at every session, we bring in our gym instructors so they get to know them.
You have to see it to be it. One in four adults in Wales say that watching or attending a women’s sport or physical activity event in the past three months has inspired them to be more active. (Wales Activity Tracker, April 2025.)
Which is why we are loving this bumper summer of women’s sport… From Fishlock and co making football history at the Euros to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in August, plus top-notch swimming, golf, cricket and tennis, you don’t have to look far for inspiration.
Why the funding matters?
Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part – athletes, coaches, or parents – whether on centre stage or behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there’s something wrong – no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential.
- Pay for maintenance of existing equipment to keep everything in top condition.
- Train Alex as a volunteer run leader to help local parents challenge themselves safely.
- Buy six new running buggies, removing cost barriers for parents.
For some women, being active is more of a challenge for religious and cultural reasons. But in Newport, local charity, KidCare4U, is offering women-only swimming sessions with a helping hand from the Be Active Wales Fund.
All women are welcome yet it’s mainly Muslim women that come, reassured by a safe space with female lifeguards and free of judgement for women who want to cover their arms, legs and heads in a burkini.
