BACKING NEWPORT: Sporting chances in city brimming with facilities

This summer, in the build-up to the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio, Team GB spent several weeks at the Wales National Velodrome in Newport’s International Sports Village.

Local people were able to see stars such as Mark Cavendish, Becky James, Jody Cundy and their peers in action.

And seeing some of Britain’s most renowned Olympians galvanised several people into getting involved with grassroots sport.

Many of the youngsters who went to see the Olympic training sessions could be found just weeks later having a go on the steep banks of the velodrome themselves as Welsh Cycling put on two days of free taster sessions for children to enjoy.

The effect of having big names come to Newport is not lost on the people at Newport Live, who run sports development programmes throughout the city.

Karl Reed, Newport Live sports development officer, said: “This year we have had the Team GB cyclists here, we have had Manchester City train at the Wales National Football Development Centre and these things are perfect for getting people more interested in sport.

“It is vital that we do get as many young people in sport as possible, as it’s a way of keeping kids off the street, keeping them healthy with obesity being a continuing concern as well as a tool to educate them.”

Newport Live receives various streams of funding, from the Welsh Government, Newport City Council and the Gwent police and crime commissioner, which is used to help engage with as many youngsters as possible. With their team of 19 development officers, they run between 30 to 40 community sport sessions each week with each one involving anywhere between 10 to 60 people.

A number of these sessions are also specifically run on a Friday evening until around 9pm in order to keep teenagers away from the streets and potential crime.

Mr Reed added: “In some ways there are more activities going on now but it’s a circle effect, many of the things we are putting on cover what’s sports clubs would previously have done. More and more we are seeing local clubs see their funding cut or in need of volunteers, so there is more importance put on what we do.

“There are gyms popping up all over the city and people are more conscious of keeping fit. However, you would have had social clubs linked to the old steel works doing a similar job years ago, so what we have seen is a change in society which we need to continue to work with.”

Having infrastructure used by national teams gives local people in the city a connection to their success, and the Wales football team’s success at the European championships in France has led to clubs across the city seeing such a vast increase in numbers that many are currently seeking more volunteers.

Newport councillor Debbie Harvey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said the council was committed in providing the highest level of sport and leisure activities across the city as well as for all ages.

She said: “Newport is very much on the up and it’s fantastic to show our support in backing the city. It’s my home and what we have been doing over the years for the people is to make a real difference.

“More and more people are getting active in their leisure time and becoming aware of the different types of activities and exercises that we cater for. Energi is a recent example of where people can engage with a new sport and it’s incredibly important that there is an A-to-Z range of sports for people to choose from.”

The new Energi Trampoline Park opened up earlier this month on Seven Stiles Avenue and is the national company’s first site in Wales.

The 20,000-square-foot site hosts an extensive range of trampolines, including those at an Olympic standard while the centre also includes a foam pit, climbing walls, basket-ball hoops, dodge-ball arenas and other attractions.

Simon Maycock, Energi’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be open in Newport, the site is already a well-known leisure destination. It is our first site in Wales, we have picked Newport because it has the right credentials to help us as we aim to provide the best trampoline experience in South Wales.”

The big thing for Newportonians is that sport across the city no longer just the domain of football and rugby but there is a variety depending on a person’s interest.