Monmouthshire County Council Sport Development Team has been identified as a beacon of good practice to organisations across the UK and has recently gained a Sport Leaders UK award for its outstanding work. The Sports Leaders UK Leadership Academy is a scheme to reward and recognise some of its best Approved Assessment Centres who go beyond the call of duty.

Monmouthshire Sports Development team has been commended for initiatives that encourage children and young people to participate in sport. One of the initiatives, Sports 4 life volunteering programme offers a pathway for young people to get involved in maximising their potential and become leaders for sport in their schools and communities. Young people are encouraged to volunteer as leaders in the many programmes including The Monmouthshire Games the authority’s half term Sports Camps, 5x 60 after school clubs and Primary School Festivals.

The Primary School Festivals take place all year round. Since September 2016 2,000 pupils have attended the festivals. More are planned in coming months. A further 1,300 children are anticipated to attend summer multi skills festivals. The festival supports transition from primary to secondary school, encourage participation and most importantly pupils have fun!

All leadership programmes are fully inclusive for all abilities and supported by Mark Foster, Disability Inclusion Officer. From September 2017 disability specific leadership course will be available in conjunction with disability inclusion projects being run in Monmouthshire.

The prestigious award was presented to MCC Chairman Councillor Jim Higginson and the Sports Development team by Rob Guy, Sports Leaders UK Partnership Manager.

Rob Guy said, "Monmouthshire has so many fantastic examples of best practice, from inspiring pupils in Goytre Fawr Primary school to get their whole school fit and active to empowering and enabling volunteer Dan Jonesy to overcome adversity and follow his dream to become a trainer in his local leisure centre. The team and the communities they work with are a credit to the county. They have gone over and above the standard requirements to become Sports Leaders. "

Councillor Jim Higginson, Chairman of the Council said, “This award shows how hard our Sports Development teams work to encourage so many children and young people to get involved sport in Monmouthshire. The help they provide now is instilled into adulthood which is vital for the health and wellbeing of our future generations’.