The Wales Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (WEDSA) were established to address a longstanding visibility gap in Welsh sport. When the awards launched in 2023, founder Rajma Begum, National Sports Diversity Manager at WCVA – made clear that the need to spotlight and celebrate the contributions of ethnically diverse individuals, clubs, and communities across Wales who were using sport and physical activity to inspire, lead, and break down barriers was paramount.
As Rajma highlighted at the time, “You can’t be what you can’t see,” while Rehnaz Khan – who was named Inspiring Individual of the Year at the inaugural awards in 2023 – exposed how ethnicity, disability, and gender could compound exclusion within sport.
Rajma giving her opening remarks at WEDSA 2025
From the outset, WEDSA was conceived as more than just an awards night – it acted as a challenge to sporting institutions across Wales to put representation at the very top of their agendas. Two years on, the awards have grown into a barometer of progress, a tool for recognition, and a healthy reminder that the push for greater diversity and inclusion in Welsh sport still has a long way to go.
WEDSA 2025 saw the introduction of two new awards: the Gamechanger in Sport – brought in to celebrate an individual who transformed sport in Wales through innovation and leadership, and Rising Star of the Year, which recognised an exceptional individual under the age of 18 who demonstrated outstanding dedication, resilience, and achievement in sport over the last two years.
The winners and finalists recognised at the awards
The 2025 edition also saw the awards hosted at a new venue. ICC Wales was the stage on which sporting achievements from ethnically diverse communities in Wales were celebrated. As was the case with the inaugural awards in 2023, the 360-photo booth was back. However, those in attendance were also treated to an outstanding dhol performance, a stunning Indian dance performance, and a fabulous display of Brazilian martial arts, acrobatics, and dance by Capoeira Casnewydd.
India Dance Wales put on an incredible show
WEDSA is so much more than merely handing out awards. It’s about culture, celebration, and bringing people together to recognise the rich, ethnically diverse communities flourishing in Wales through sport. Despite what many may think, Wales has always had a rich history of cultural diversity, which can be traced back not just to the Windrush Generation but as far back as pre-World War I, when Cardiff’s Black and Asian population was the second largest in the UK, behind only London.
Long before Vanessa O’Brien and Wendy Reilly ever stepped onto a football field, long before Mark Brown and Glen Webbe ever stepped onto a rugby pitch, long before Steve Robinson and Nigel Walker ever laced up their boxing gloves and spikes, people of mixed heritage always had a significant presence in Wales. The continuation of WEDSA is crucial to ensure diverse communities continue to be platformed and celebrated through sport.
There wasn’t a single empty seat in the house on the night
Noel Mooney, Chief Executive Officer of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) – the lead sponsor of WEDSA 2025 – reiterated the importance of the awards on the night. “The Wales Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards are a powerful celebration of talent, resilience, and representation. They shine a light on the individuals and communities who make Welsh sport stronger, more creative, and more inclusive,” he said.
Mr Mooney then expanded on this further: “Sport has the power to unite, to inspire, and to transform lives. When every voice is heard, and every community is represented, innovation flourishes and our shared future becomes brighter,” he explained. “The athletes, coaches, and volunteers recognised at these awards are not just role models within sport; they are leaders shaping a modern, progressive, and inclusive Cymru.
Together, we can build a sporting movement that reflects all of us – a movement that continues to break down barriers, celebrate diversity, and make Cymru a place where everyone belongs.”
Evelyn James and Bablu Shikdar, the WEDSA 2025 hosts
Breaking down barriers is of utmost importance, as the demand from people from ethnic minority backgrounds to engage in sport and physical activity is undoubtedly there. According to Sport Wales’ State of the Nation Report 2024–25, 58% of adults who reported their ethnicity as ‘White’ participated in sport and physical activity, while those who reported their ethnicity as ‘White Other’ and ‘Any Other Ethnic Group’ (which included Black, Asian, and Mixed adults) both had participation rates of 67%.
When it came to adults who had participated in sport and physical activity three or more times per week, the participation rate was 35% for those who identified as ‘White’, 39 per cent for those who identified as ‘White Other’, and 36% for adults who fell under ‘Any Other Ethnic Group’.
The numbers show there is a universal desire among many people in Wales to engage in sport and physical activity. The nominees, finalists, and award winners who were recognised at WEDSA 2025 were clear evidence of this, as Dr Lindsay Cordery-Bruce, Chief Executive Officer of Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), highlighted in her opening remarks.
Dr Lindsay Cordery-Bruce making her remarks at WEDSA
“Tonight is a chance to celebrate our glorious diversity in Wales and recognise the groundbreaking work of ethnically diverse individuals and communities,” she said. Dr Cordery-Bruce continued, “The change you are making through your involvement in Welsh sport is awesome. Whether that’s breaking down barriers, championing equality and inclusion, or simply being a role model and showing people just what can be achieved.
You change lives and perspectives every day, and I hope that being here tonight, whether you are a nominee, finalist, or winner, you get a glimpse of how your actions have transformed lives.”
WEDSA will not be going anywhere anytime soon. Nor will the groundbreaking work of ethnically diverse individuals and communities in Wales who continue to make a positive impact through sport. The countdown to the next edition in 2027 has already begun, by which point we all hope to be that bit closer to becoming a more active, inclusive nation.
