Welsh Sport Needs WAG Audit - Burnham

2.05.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Oct 2006

Eleanor Burnham AM in yesterday's sport debate again challenged Minister Alan Pugh over his claims that the government's sport policy has been a success for the young and old across Wales.

Ms Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Sport, responded to Mr Pugh's self congratulatory speech by highlighting the limitations of the government's strategies, including Free Swimming for the Under-16s and locally based sport and activity coaching.

Ms Burnham said: "Despite all that the Minister has claimed to have achieved, we still do not see the improvements to sport facilities the Welsh public deserve. Such funds have been blown on short term gimmicks such as Free Swimming for Under-16s, instead of a proper attempt by the government to meet the diverse needs of the people of Wales.

"Investment in coaching is even lower on the Minister's list of priorities. I held a meeting today with the Welsh Sport Association and they agree with me that far too little has been done to encourage grassroots coaching in Wales.

"I'd like to see the government make a real effort to audit all the sport and leisure facilities in North Wales so that they can identify where money really needs to be invested. In Wrexham and Flintshire there is nearly 11m worth of backlogged repairs within our facilities that must be addressed if the government wants to make good its coaching and training promises.