6. Welsh Conservatives Debate: Sport

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:12 pm on 16 June 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 3:12, 16 June 2021

At the outset, I'd like to wish the Wales men's football team the very best of luck for the game this evening against Turkey. Turkey may have close to a home crowd, but the hopes from our home nation are behind you, boys. Whatever happens, we know you'll do us proud. Pob lwc i chi i gyd.

It's electric how these huge tournaments can lift people's mood, can give us all something to feel joyful about, and what happens on pitches across the world when so many millions are watching can have other impacts too here in Wales. I was so pleased to support a statement of opinion that was put down this week by Sam Kurtz that was arguing for defibrillators to be available in sports grounds in Wales, learning from the shocking scenes involving Christian Eriksen over the weekend. Thank goodness that the paramedics were there, that the right kit was there to help save his life. And in spite of the ugly and ghoulish decisions of broadcasters to show distressing footage, if one good thing can come from that event, it should be that more young people involved in sports can please learn about CPR, and that more lives in future can be saved, because sport is something that can bind us all together. It was precisely because of the power and the potential of sport that so many of us were dismayed about the FAW's handling of the women's game in Wales and the recent restructuring that saw Abergavenny Women FC and Cascade Ladies in my region being cut from the top league, and Coed Duon Women FC drop to the third tier. I still call on FAW to reconsider this decision, because of the impact it will have not just on fans, not just on the players, but on future players. It will likely lead to a loss of motivation amongst young women who might have chosen to pursue football. I'm also concerned about the impact that that decision will have on players' mental health and I'd welcome any news from the Minister about any conversations that the Government could have, any support that could be made available to these clubs, which are going through such a really difficult period. I will leave it there, Llywydd. I'm trying to keep this brief because of the game, so I will just say one more time: