To view this newsletter in Cymraeg, click here. 

National Update: Regional Gold/Platinum Young Ambassador Conferences 2024

      

In November 2024, we hosted our annual Regional Gold and Platinum Young Ambassador Conferences at Coleg Sir Gar, Coleg Menai and The College Merthyr Tydfil, which were attended by over 200 Young Ambassadors and 45 staff members. All three conferences were expertly delivered by our National Young Ambassador panel with support from our FE Young Ambassadors. To showcase the activities delivered at the conference, Osian and Rhodri, who are students on the creative media production course at Coleg Sir Gar, captured footage from the day their college hosted and created a fantastic short film, which you can view here.

Finally, a big thank you to all the colleges who hosted the conferences this year, it was a pleasure to use your brilliant facilities and include your students in the delivery of the events! 

Local Authority Spotlight: Cardiff Met Sport
This term, Cardiff Met Sport delivered their first Bronze Young Ambassador training since covid, which was delivered to 30 children from a variety of primary schools across the capital by their HE Young Ambassadors. To capture the day's events, check out this film which was created by Cardiff Met University BSc Sports Media student, Ellie Place.

College Spotlight: Coleg Cambria: Girls Active Leaders Day
Coleg Cambria’s Young Ambassadors have been using our six Girls Active principles to help get more females on campus healthy and active, by breaking down barriers and challenges to participation. If you are looking to do something similar, check out the case study of their approach here. Find out more about our Girls Active programme here.  

Young Ambassador Spotlight – Emily Thompson: BBC Radio Wales 

Wales Young Ambassador panel member, Emily Thompson, recently had the opportunity to provide a youth voice perspective on why female coaching levels across the UK are on the decline in an interview on BBC Radio Wales. When asked about the future of female coaching, Emily shared “if you can’t see it, you can’t be it”, emphasising the importance of female role models in sport and specifically coaching. Thank you, Sport Wales and BBC Radio Wales, for providing Emily with the opportunity to advocate for female coaching and share her story. 

Alumni Success
Congratulations to Lily Morgan on winning ‘Young Activist of the Year’ award at the Youth Sport Trust Changemaker Awards. Click here to learn more about Lily’s Journey. 

Congratulations also to Guto Thomas-Young, who after supporting the NSPCC Safeguarding Sport Forum in Wales, has now been invited to join Sport Wales’ Effective Coaching Focus Group.

Youth Sport Trust Conference 2025
The Youth Sport Trust Conference returns on Wednesday 26 March 2025 at the Telford International Centre. This year’s theme focuses on the refreshed pillars of the Well Schools movement, highlighting how collaboration can create the happiest, healthiest generation of young learners and inspire active, thriving schools nationwide.

We will be joined by two incredible keynote speakers, Youth Sport Trust founder and former director of Women’s Football at the FA, Baroness Sue Campbell will deliver the morning keynote focussing on Leading Well with 'Courage, Conviction, and Compassion'. The afternoon keynote on ‘The Active Advantage – how to build better brains through movement’ will be delivered by performance scientist Dr. James Hewitt. Plus, enjoy engaging workshops, excellent networking opportunities and an interactive exhibition with over 80 stands and live demonstrations.  

Together let's shape a brighter future for young people – book your tickets now.

National School Sports Week 2025
National School Sports Week, 16-22 June, is an annual campaign by the Youth Sport Trust, dedicated to celebrating the power of PE, sport and play to build brighter futures for young people. Powered by Sports Direct and Under Armour, the 2025 campaign marks the 30th Anniversary of the Youth Sport Trust and calls on schools across the UK to join during the week to host the UK’s biggest-ever sports day and embrace an Always Active approach – championing 60 minutes a day of PE, sport and play for every child. Resources will be available in Welsh, find out more here.

DSW Free Inclusion training Until April 2025
Disability Sport Wales is providing free Level 1 Disability Inclusion Training to all coaches, volunteers, teachers and education staff until April 2025. The content covers effective communication, the activity inclusion model, creating a person-centred approach, the functional model of disability and the STEP framework. To find out more visit here. 

Children of Wales Awards 2025


Nominations are now open to vote for the Children of Wales awards. Categories include Young Leader, Young Sporting Hero, and Community Champion of the Year, which we think all Young Ambassadors would be worthy nominees for! Nominations will close on Monday 9 June, with the awards being held on Friday 12 September in Swansea. Here is the link to nominate.

Free Resources
Looking for inspiration to more young people healthier and more active? If so, check out the resources below:

Diary Dates
Below is a list of national events and initiatives that Young Ambassadors can use to influence, lead and inspire others to take an active part in this academic year: 

  • 31 January-15 March: Rugby Six Nations (Men) 2025
  • 6 March: World Book Day 
  • 8-16 March: Special Olympics World Winter Games (Italy) 
  • 17 March: Kabaddi World Cup 2025 West Midlands, England
  • 22 March: Butterfly (Swimming) Welsh National Championships 2025
  • 22 March- 26 April: Rugby Six Nations (Women) 2025

If you or your organisation plan and deliver any YA-led projects or activities around these or other initiatives, then please tag your stories, pictures and/or videos to our social media pages using #YACymru.

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