Give young people free gym access, say Welsh Tories

Young people in Wales should be given free access to gyms and leisure centres, according to proposals being put forward by the Welsh Conservatives.

The party called for measures to boost participation in sport, with Covid having had a detrimental impact.

The Conservatives are also calling for a 'Welsh Talent Sporting Fund' to help support elite athletes.

Deputy sport minister Dawn Bowden said the Welsh government was investing in more facilities.

Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities in Wales were forced to close for much of the pandemic, but have been allowed to reopen since 3 May.

The Welsh Conservatives spokesperson for sport, Tom Giffard, said that sports clubs were often "the backbone of Welsh communities", but that many now needed help to recover in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

"It's vital Labour ministers now help them get back on their feet, starting with a 'Community Sport Bounce Back Fund' to boost participation and get young and old back on the sporting fields and facilities of Wales," he said.

"We also want to see greater investment in grassroots facilities, including a larger network of 3G and 4G synthetic turf pitches across the country, to ensure rain doesn't stop play even in the depths of a Welsh winter".

Tory Senedd members triggered a vote on their calls in the Welsh Parliament for Wednesday afternoon, although it was defeated by 40 to 16.

An amendment put forward by the Welsh Government, pledging to invest in new sports facilities like 3G artificial pitches, was passed with 42 votes in favour.

The outcome of the vote is not binding on government ministers.

In the debate Plaid Cymru's Heledd Fychan said she "would like to see the Senedd working in a cross-party way on this issue in order to secure the necessary investment so that everyone in Wales has the opportunity to participate in sport".

Ms Bowden said: "Sport Wales already runs a network of sports ambassadors through the ambassadors programme, which involves developing ideas and creating sporting opportunities, so that more young people have the chance to experience the benefits of an active lifestyle.

"This government's ambition for sport in Wales is to build on our sporting achievements and continually strive for greater opportunities for everyone across Wales to take part in sport, to be physically active, regardless of their background."

The Welsh government currently subsidises exercise sessions for people with or at risk of chronic conditions through The National Exercise Referral Scheme.

Research from the market research company, Statista, carried out in 2019, showed around 16% of adults in Wales used gyms or fitness classes at least once a month.

The government has pledged to invest in new sports facilities in Wales, such as 3G artificial pitches, and to promote equal access to sports.