Sport
1m want to do more sport in Wales
More sport: 1m people in Wales want to be more active
SPORT WALES’ latest Active Adults survey shows the potential to get more adults hooked on sport and volunteering while figures of those already hooked buck the trend seen across the UK.
The number of adults hooked on sport – participating three times a week or more – in Wales is up (41%) according to the official Active Adults Survey, released today by Sport Wales.
After speaking to more than 8,000 people in Wales aged 15 and over, the latest results show an increase since 2012 (39%), building on the rise in Welsh sport participation seen since 2008 (29%) and sustaining participation since the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
The survey reveals: B67% of those not already ‘hooked on sport’ (taking part 3 times a week or more) would like to do more sport – that’s 1 million more people in Wales.
There are still gaps in participation between males (46%) and females (35%), disabled (29%) and non-disabled (48%) and those from Wales’ most deprived areas are less likely to be hooked (39%).
While the proportion of volunteers has decreased slightly from 10% (2012) to 9% of the adult population, we still have 235,000 volunteers giving an average of 10 hours to sport a month, up from 8 hours a month in 2012 – that’s a 25% increase in hours volunteered and double the number of volunteers from 2008 (113,000).
The increase in voluntary hours means the economic value of sport volunteering in Wales is nearly£300 million- the equivalent of15,000 full-time employees.
20% of those who do not currently volunteer in sport say they would like to in the future – that equates to over470,000 people in Wales.
Sports volunteers are also reaping the benefits off the field as the figures show they are 82% more likely to say they have good or very good health.
The most popular sporting activities for adults include cycling, swimming and running.
Sport Wales CEO, Sarah Powell said:
“What these results show is that we have been successful in sustaining the incredible swell in numbers of volunteers and participants which followed the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. I’m proud of this. We worked hard to ensure a lasting legacy and we’ve successfully bucked the trends seen across the rest of the UK, which has seen levels fluctuate in the past few years.
“There’s huge potential to engage more people and I’m thrilled to see the appetite for doing more sport and volunteering so high in Wales. The challenge now is for us and the sport sector to grow an offer that meets the needs of those people who want to try more sport. We’ve seen really successful initiatives in recent years such as Parkrun and the Breeze cycling network which have engaged people who previously thought sport wasn’t for them. Both these schemes have done this through working closely with communities to develop an offer that meets the needs of the participant locally.
“You don’t have to be an elite athlete to be a Welsh sportsperson. The dad playing football on a Wednesday night, the family running the Parkrun on a Saturday morning and the mums meeting to do circuits in the park before the school run – these are our Welsh sportspeople and they are the future of Welsh community sport. They have found their thing and we want to make sure we create more opportunities for that 1 million who want to do more sport, to find theirs. Whether that is to discover new activities, meet new people or achieve personal goals, we need to entice them into being active. Imagine the impact on the health and well-being of our nation if we were successful!”
Other noteworthy results in the survey included that:
If you believe you lack fitness you are significantly less likely to be hooked on sport.
Those people who believe they lack confidence are significantly less likely to be hooked on sport. However, if you believe your general sporting ability is better than most you are nine times more likely to be hooked.
If your friends and family take part you are more than twice as likely to be hooked on sport.
Powell added: “We have shown sport in Wales has the tools to be successful.
“However, while we’ve managed to sustain participation and grow it at school sport level, this survey demonstrates that we are not yet seeing this translate into a significant increase in adult community participation and stubborn participation gaps between men and women and disabled and non-disabled still exist. So we will have to continue to evolve our approach to ensure a Welsh sporting offer that meets their needs.
“Just as in children, adults also like to feel they have the skills and confidence to participate in sport. It provides the motivation to take part. Enjoyable opportunities, good quality competition or social sporting opportunities and the support of friends and family are all aspects that make sport a key part of someone’s life and we need to tap into this when we deliver sport.”
Pembrokeshire sailor Micky Beckett has once again cemented his place among the sport’s elite, securing his fourth consecutive victory in the ILCA 7 men’s dinghy class at the prestigious Trofeo Princesa Sofia regatta.
Hailing from the coastal village of Solva, Beckett sealed the title with a day to spare — a remarkable feat that underscores his dominance on the international circuit and sends a strong signal ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic campaign.
His win was one of nine medals earned by the British Sailing Team in Mallorca, with Great Britain finishing top of the medal table ahead of Australia and China.
Beckett, who has steadily climbed the ranks in recent years, is now one of the standout figures in British sailing. Known for his consistency and calm approach on the water, the 29-year-old has made the ILCA 7 fleet his own, and his continued success reflects the strength of both his individual talent and the support around him.
“If this week is anything to go by, the future is bright for the British Sailing Team,” said performance director Mark Robinson — a nod to Beckett’s influence and the broader success of the squad.
While Beckett led the charge, fellow Brit Emma Wilson also delivered a standout performance. The two-time Olympic bronze medallist won 14 of 21 races in the iQFOiL foiling windsurfing class, earning her the prestigious Princess Sofia Trophy — the event’s top honour.
“It’s crazy – I wasn’t expecting it at all,” said Wilson, 25. “There are names on this trophy like Ben Ainslie, people I’ve looked up to since I was a kid. To have my name on there now is pretty cool.”
The British team also took home gold in the 49erFX (Saskia Tidey and Freya Black), 470 (Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris), and Nacra 17 (John Gimson and Anna Burnet). There were silver medals for Lily Young (Formula Kite) and Elliot Hanson (ILCA 7), while Ellie Aldridge (Formula Kite) and Daisy Collingridge (ILCA 6) each claimed bronze.
Kilgetty 0 – Goodwick United 3
GOODWICK United are just one game away from completing a flawless league campaign after a dominant 3-0 victory away at Kilgetty.
Nathan Greene opened the scoring with a thumping header on 13 minutes, meeting Will Haworth’s pinpoint corner. Haworth then turned scorer just before half-time, glancing in Luke Hayward’s free-kick to double the lead.
Rhys Jones wrapped things up from the penalty spot after Rhys Dalling was brought down in the box.
Manager Chris O’Sullivan now turns his attention to the final fixture at Phoenix Park against Tenby, where his side will aim to complete an unbeaten league season.
Pennar Robins stay in top-four hunt
Pennar Robins 3 – Clarbeston Road 1
PENNAR Robins kept their hopes of a top-three finish alive with a solid 3-1 win over Clarbeston Road at Bush Camp.
Ben Adams struck twice, either side of a Jamie Wilkes goal, to seal the win. Adams and Wilkes gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break, but Richard Bevan pulled one back for the visitors in the second half.
Adams netted his second in the 88th minute to put the result beyond doubt and keep Pennar in touching distance of Monkton Swifts, with two matches left to play.
Swifts confirm Milford relegation
Milford United 0 – Monkton Swifts 4
MILFORD United’s relegation from Division One was confirmed on Saturday as Monkton Swifts cruised to a 4-0 win at Marble Hall.
Paul Miller was instrumental for the visitors, assisting goals for Billy Davis and Liam Butland before scoring one himself. Jack Clarke added a fourth after the break, converting from Ben Steele’s cross.
Monkton remain third, just ahead of Pennar Robins, with both sides battling for a top-three finish in the final weeks.
Milford now turn their attention to the Senior Cup Final against Hakin United.
Wizards and Vikings share derby spoils
Merlins Bridge 0 – Hakin United 0
A TIGHT and tense derby between Merlins Bridge and Hakin United ended in a goalless draw at the Pembrokeshire Sports Ground.
Both teams had opportunities, with Mark Jones going close for Hakin and Mason Dolling striking the side netting. For the Wizards, substitute Ben Davies had the ball in the net, only for the flag to go up for offside.
Hakin now shift focus to the Senior Cup Final against Milford United, while Merlins Bridge can take heart from a resilient defensive performance.
Narberth Athletic 61 – Llangwm 10
NARBERTH Athletic delivered a dominant display to defeat Llangwm 61-10 in their latest Division Four (West) fixture.
Llangwm showed promise in the early exchanges, particularly at scrum time, where their front row of Ieuan Power, Ben Elrick, and Matthew Rees competed well. However, it was the home side who controlled the scoreboard.
Narberth opened the scoring after 31 minutes with a converted try from prop Shay Norcross. That breakthrough was followed by a blistering five-minute spell in which captain Harry Phillips crossed three times, all converted by Shane Rossiter, giving the hosts a commanding 28-0 lead. Llangwm responded before the break with a penalty from Breig Matthews.
In the second half, Narberth extended their lead with tries from Brad Cramb and Stephen J Brown, the latter again converted by Rossiter. Llangwm briefly rallied with a converted try from No 8 Matthew Rees, but Narberth’s bench provided a strong finish. Will Davies touched down twice, while Rossiter added another try and two further conversions, finishing the match with a personal haul of 21 points.
St Davids 31 – Pembroke 24
ST DAVIDS sealed a league double over Pembroke with a thrilling 31-24 home win, a match that also marked the unveiling of the John James Memorial Scoreboard, in honour of a much-loved club stalwart.
The visitors struck first through a penalty from Jarred Sharratt, but St Davids hit back with a try from captain Nathan Foster, converted by Bob Froy. Pembroke regained the lead when Barry Alderman-John crossed for a try in his final game, also converted by Sharratt.
St Davids responded before the interval through player-coach Morgan Griffiths, who scored his first try of the afternoon, again converted by Froy.
The second half saw the momentum swing back and forth. Evan Davies put Pembroke back in front with a try, before a Froy penalty levelled the scores. A converted try from Fraser James gave Pembroke the lead once more, but Griffiths proved the difference, completing his hat-trick with two more tries—both converted by Froy—to secure victory for the Saints.
The win also saw St Davids lift the Willington Slate, an annual trophy contested between the two clubs.
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