A Sports Ambassador Programme originally launched in Neath Port Talbot in preparation for the London 2012 Olympic Games has now reached its 10th year in operation.

The programme encourages children and young people from the County Borough to become the voices for sport in their school and community, promoting physical activity and sports opportunities.

There are Bronze Ambassadors in primary schools, Silver in comprehensive schools and Gold in Neath Port Talbot College.

Ambassadors receive sports leadership training and many deliver weekly sessions for younger children in their school, community or college. In the 10 years the programme has been running many ambassadors have come through the leadership pathway and have been employed by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Physical Activity and Sport Service (PASS) to run activity and sport sessions.

Bronze Ambassadors from Cwmnedd Primary School recently featured on a 10 year celebration video which has been seen nationally. The school is leading the way in terms of ambassador delivery, having multiple sports and activity sessions a week.

Neath Port Talbot College Gold Ambassadors are also running weekly sessions for students with an inclusive ethos that has been held up as an example of good practice across the country.

The scheme continues to grow with more training for Bronze Ambassadors planned for January 2020. Schools which have not yet accessed the scheme can contact PASS for more information via e-mail on [email protected] or by telephone on 01639861143.

Cllr Peter Rees, Neath Port Talbot Council Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture said:

“Sport and physical activity play a huge part in the well-being of young people and adults and it’s good to see this valuable programme going from strength to strength 10 years after it started.”

Mark Napieralla, Active Young People (AYP) Co-ordinator for Neath Port Talbot added:

”The ambassador programme here in Neath Port Talbot is thriving, the children are gaining valuable leadership skills while also increasing sports participation, the future of coaching sports in Neath Port Talbot looks very positive and we are already seeing this effect after 10 years of this fantastic programme.”