Wales Deaf Sport New Strategy Launch!

Dignitaries, officials and athletes across the sporting landscape came together for a very special event last Thursday 29th September, 2022 held at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff for the launch of Wales Deaf Sports’ new strategy, with a vision to continue to create an inclusive nation in which deaf people are active and living healthier, happier and confident lives with the focus on the following:

 Engaging more deaf people to participate in sport

 Enabling partners to be able to deliver inclusive opportunities

 Ensuring deaf people connect with key delivery partners

 Wales Deaf Sports to lead on the change and strive for continuous improvement

Gwynne Griffiths, Chair WDS said: “The first Wales Deaf Sports strategy is being launched not only to ensure that the 500,000 Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Wales have the opportunity to participate in sport and exercise to support their health and wellbeing but also that the pathways are identified for those who wish to represent Wales and the UK.”

“Wales Deaf Sports was set up in 1946 for this purpose and over the years there have been many Community and International Events which have been organised by the Deaf Sports and Social Clubs across Wales and by the Wales Deaf Teams who have competed in World and European Events.” “The range of Deaf Sports has grown significantly and the Deaflympics with 14 Events is the leading World Deaf Event. The Pathway to this and the many other World and European Events now needs to be clear. There is also the need to better connect the Home Nations into critical UK partners like UK Deaf Sport, so that we can work collaboratively to gain recognition at funding level for Deaf athletes.”

“Our thanks to Sinsir Consulting and Nurture Consulting who worked collaboratively alongside partners and the Deaf and hard of hearing communities in Wales, the UK and internationally to ensure this exciting new strategy leads us to collectively ensure: “Dim Rwstro - No Barriers!”

To mark the occasion, pupils from St Cyres School in Penarth took part in various sporting activities while amongst those in attendance was Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, Chair of Sport Wales and Dawn Bowden MS, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport and Chief Whip.

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden said: “Everyone should have the opportunity to take part in sport. I welcome this first strategy from Wales Deaf Sports and look forward to working with them and Disability Sport Wales in its delivery which will engage more deaf people in sport.”