Laying the foundations for a sustainable framework that supports grassroots community organisations in creating accessible and appropriate sporting activities for their members.
BME Sport Cymru
BME Sport Cymru was a two-year project funded by Sport Wales and led by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA). The project aimed to make a sustainable, long-term difference in the inclusion of under-represented ethnically diverse communities in sport and physical activity.
Objectives
01
Enhancing the capacity of grassroots community organisations to deliver and sustain sporting activities.
02
Working with partners to establish a strategic framework to sustainably increase sports and physical activities among ethnically diverse communities across Wales.
03
Our outcomes
Increased participation
Engagement
Engaged over 2,800 individuals across Wales in regular sports and physical activities, achieving a nearly 50/50 gender split.
New sessions
Developed and delivered over 50 new regular sessions in partnership with community groups, aiding sustainability and resource sharing.
Event organisation
Organised over 50 events where Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community members tried various sports, increasing awareness of local facilities.
Inclusive approach
Adopted the ‘five rights’ method (right place, right time, right price, right style, and right person) from Street Games Wales, addressing barriers faced by ethnically diverse communities.
Health benefits
Many participants reported physical and mental health improvements, corroborated by an evaluation conducted by UKRCS.
Building capacity
Community support
Supported 66 community groups in capacity development, governance strengthening, and accessing funding.
Grant funding:
Secured £36,000 in additional grant funding through 24 successful community chest applications, supporting the sustainability of activities.
Volunteer development
Supported 147 volunteers from diverse backgrounds with regular volunteering roles and training opportunities, both accredited and non-accredited.
Forums and collaboration
Held 21 ethnically diverse sports forums with over 120 organisations, facilitating collaboration and sharing of funding, training, and volunteering opportunities.
Tackling inequality
Partnerships
Established 88 effective partnerships with sporting organisations, NGBs, and non-traditional bodies like Gwent Police and schools.
Cultural change
Promoted cultural change within organisations through senior management buy-in.
Education and support
Educated and supported NGBs in making sports more inclusive for the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, fostering sustainability.
Impact on participation
Enabled diverse communities to participate in sports, reducing future barriers to entry.
Independent use
Increased independent use of sports facilities by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals, boosting confidence and awareness of mainstream services.
