The National Centre for Learning Welsh will launch a new Learn Welsh scheme for the Sporting sector at the National Eisteddfod at 3.00pm on Saturday 1 August 2026.
Developed in partnership with Sport Wales, the scheme aims to support sports organisations across Wales to develop Welsh language skills among their workforces, volunteers and supporters, encouraging and normalising the use of Welsh across the sector.
The scheme will help meet the ambitions of the Welsh Government, the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities and the Welsh Language Commissioner's Five-Year Report, all of which recognise the important role sport can play in supporting health and wellbeing, community life, identity, and the use of the Welsh language.
The programme will include a range of training opportunities, including digital learning resources and flexible courses tailored for different sporting communities. Tutors will be appointed to work with the sector, and residential courses will be available for community officers.
The scheme builds on the National Centre's successful partnerships within the sector, including collaborations with the Football Association of Wales, Wrexham AFC and the Welsh Rugby Union.
It also reinforces the National Centre's work with young people. The Centre already supports young people taking part in Urdd expeditions to develop their Welsh language skills, and will now expand its work with Further and Higher Education colleges, and Apprentices in the context of sport.
One element of the scheme will focus on Welsh speakers, with the National Centre providing specialist support for sports presenters on Welsh-language radio and television on how to support players who are learning Welsh or building confidence to use the language.
Heledd Fychan, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Sport, said:
"Sport brings people together in communities across Wales and is an important part of our national identity. It also provides opportunities to use Welsh naturally beyond school and the workplace.
"I welcome the National Centre's new initiative, which builds on its previous work in this area, creating even more opportunities for coaches, volunteers, players and supporters to use and enjoy the Welsh language."
Brian Davies, Chief Executive of Sport Wales, said:
"This scheme builds on the long-term ambition to ensure people can take part in sport through the language of their choice. It will create practical opportunities across our sporting communities – across all sorts of sports – for people to develop their Welsh language skills and use Welsh with greater confidence.
"We’re delighted to be partnering with the National Centre for Learning Welsh and look forward to continuing our collaboration as we promote and implement the scheme."
Dona Lewis, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, added:
"We know that sport provides opportunities for people to use Welsh within their communities and in social settings. As a result, the sector has the potential to reach wide audiences and positively influence the use of Welsh in everyday life.
"It has been a pleasure to work with Sport Wales and our other partners to develop this dedicated scheme, which builds on our existing work in the sector. We also look forward to supporting the Welsh Government as it develops further plans for the sporting sector."
