CIMSPA are excited to announce a new partnership with Sported Wales aimed at transforming grassroots sport through collaboration, innovation, and professional development.
As Wales’ largest network of community sport groups, Sported supports organisations that use sport to tackle inequality, improve wellbeing, and create opportunities for young people and underrepresented communities. This partnership combines Sported’s deep connection and trusted relationships with grassroots organisations with CIMSPA’s expertise in professional standards, workforce development, and training, creating a forward thinking, collaborative approach to tackling sector challenges and co-producing solutions.
A lasting impact
As part of their work, Sported Wales delivers free resources and programmes to a network of community groups including services such as volunteer consultants providing governance, HR, business planning and funding options, a range of education and training programmes and insight through research and policy papers.
CIMSPA’s work around professional recognition through the introduction of professional status, and their education and training resources combines harmoniously with Sported’s extensive expertise and experience in community sport. The charities will work together to strengthen the support offered across Wales, equipping the heroes and heroines running grassroots clubs with even more tools, networks, and insights, helping them continue to thrive and create lasting impact in their communities.
Sported Wales is committed to ensuring that the sector is more accessible, sustainable and impactful through their strategic innovation and collaborations. Their projects aim to reduce inequality, reaching marginalised groups and introducing socio-economically deprived areas to sport’s ability to provide life-changing benefits. They also aim to improve health and wellbeing through local sports projects, with their recent research showing participation is proven to improve mental health in areas such as self-esteem and resilience.
Connecting with the community
Sported Wales will offer CIMSPA the opportunity to deepen its impact in grassroots sport, connect with community leaders, and influence the sector where it matters most. Together, the organisations will build new pathways to strengthen the grassroots workforce, creating meaningful opportunities for communities and develop a skilled, resilient, and impactful sport and physical activity sector across Wales.
Polly Crook, Partnerships Manager, Sported Wales, said:
“We are thrilled to be partnering with CIMSPA in what is a truly innovative, sector leading collaboration. By bringing together CIMSPA’s professional expertise and our deep connections to grassroots communities, we are able to co-create solutions, strengthen the workforce, and set new standards for impact across grassroots sport in Wales.”
How the partnership will make a difference
Together, Sported Wales and CIMSPA will:
- Equip Sported staff and volunteer consultants with professional recognition, training, and development—so they can better support grassroots clubs and their communities
- Empower grassroots club leaders and volunteers with practical tools, guidance, and networks to thrive and grow their impact
- Develop fresh, practical approaches to help grassroots clubs thrive and adapt in a rapidly changing world
- Build the skills and confidence of volunteers, so more people can step up and drive change in sport
- Amplify the impact of community sport across Wales, ensuring that local clubs continue to transform lives and strengthen communities
Robyn Lock, Lead Workforce Development Manager, CIMSPA, said:
“Working with the Sported team in Wales provides a great opportunity for both organisations. The team within Sported are dedicated to providing local support to grassroot clubs across Wales and CIMSPA is now in a position to support the team that drives this change with workforce development analysis and sector related training to help them with their continued professional development.
“By providing CIMSPA professional recognition to the managerial team and their group of consultant volunteers, Sported are letting the sector know that their workforce are quality, competent, knowledgeable and committed to impacting the sector.”