Exploring the Economic Power of Sport in Wales 

A New Voice for Wales’ Sporting Economy

Business News Wales has launched Sport Business, a new editorial section developed with partners including Glamorgan Cricket, the WRU, the FAW, and the Cardiff City FC Community Foundation. Sport contributes more than £1 billion annually to Wales’ GDP, yet its role as a driver of employment, tourism, infrastructure, skills, and regeneration is often underrepresented in business and policy debate.

Through podcasts, thought leadership, and in-depth features, Sport Business will highlight sport’s strategic importance to Wales’ economy, covering professional sport, grassroots investment, business tourism, infrastructure, and the growing intersection of sport, technology, and enterprise. By providing a dedicated platform for collaboration between business, government, and the sporting ecosystem, this new section will position sport not only as a cultural cornerstone but as one of Wales’ most valuable economic assets.

The Business Case for Supporting Grassroots Sport 

Delivering Measurable Social Impact

This editorial theme will explore the powerful connection between sport and social value, and how businesses that engage with and support grassroots sport can deliver measurable community benefits while strengthening their own commercial advantage. 

In an era where procurement success increasingly depends on demonstrating social impact, sport offers companies a natural and authentic route to align their brand values with public good.

Our coverage will highlight how investment in grassroots clubs, community coaching, inclusive programmes, and local facilities goes far beyond sponsorship, it creates healthier, more resilient communities, fosters diversity and inclusion, develops skills among young people, and builds pride and identity in local areas. For businesses, this translates into tangible benefits: improved reputation, stronger employee engagement, and enhanced performance in tenders where social value is a decisive factor.

We will also examine the frameworks and measurement tools that help organisations evidence their impact, ensuring that their support for sport is recognised within procurement scoring systems.

How Sport Can Help Transform Wales’ Public Services 

Exploring How Elite Sport’s Leadership and Teamwork Principles can Improve Public Service Outcomes

This editorial theme will explore how the principles of elite sport, leadership, discipline, resilience, and teamwork can be translated into the public sector to improve performance, efficiency, and outcomes. Wales is home to world-class sporting organisations and professionals who operate in high-pressure environments where results matter, and where success depends on collaboration, clarity of vision, and the ability to adapt quickly. These same qualities are increasingly needed in our public services as they respond to rising demand, budget pressures, and complex social challenges.

Our coverage will examine how lessons from sport can help leaders in government, healthcare, education, and local authorities build stronger teams, foster a performance-driven culture, and maintain focus on outcomes.

Prevention Through Participation 

Making the Case for Sport as a Frontline Tool in Public Health

This editorial theme will explore the crucial role sport plays in shaping a healthier Wales, highlighting its impact on prevention, wellbeing, and long-term healthcare costs.
 
While the NHS remains under unprecedented pressure from rising demand and funding constraints, evidence shows that regular participation in sport and physical activity is one of the most effective ways to prevent chronic illness, improve mental health, and extend healthy life expectancy. A healthier population not only reduces NHS costs but also strengthens workforce resilience and productivity, delivering benefits for the wider economy as well as public services.

Our coverage will bring together voices from sport, healthcare, government, and business to examine how grassroots clubs, community initiatives, and elite sporting organisations can be leveraged as powerful tools for prevention. We will investigate how increased collaboration between sport and the health system could ease pressure on hospitals, reduce waiting lists, and improve outcomes in areas such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health.