10. Short Debate: Sport in North Wales: Ensuring opportunity for all

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:37 pm on 5 October 2022.

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Photo of Gareth Davies Gareth Davies Conservative 5:37, 5 October 2022

I’d like to start by declaring an interest as a full member of Rhyl and District Rugby Football Club. I’d like to thank my colleague Sam Rowlands for tabling and discussing this important subject today. It’s quite right that we should be doing all we can to get people into exercise and sport, as it increases their physical and mental resilience, and is something we should all aspire to achieve.

I’d like to give one quick example, like Carolyn touched on, which is in Rhyl, which has a thriving rugby club on Tynewydd Road. Based right in the heart of the community, it offers girls, boys, men and women of all ages the opportunity to engage with the sport, and is proven to increase discipline and teamwork. And it’s not just a rugby club; it’s also a pub, function room, playground and community hub, which, combined together, has endless benefits for the people of Rhyl, of all ages, to socialise and engage with sport, which is a key component for increasing people’s self-esteem and mental health. But, sadly, there aren’t enough examples of this in north Wales, and anyone looking for inspiration can look to Rhyl rugby club to see an example of how it should be done.

I’d like to quickly just thank Rhyl and district rugby club for all the work they do in the community on a daily basis, and wish them the very best for the future, and encourage anyone who is interested in sport to contact their local club, group or association. Thank you.