Young Sports Ambassadors programme

This September, Actif Communities is proud to continue it’s successful launch Young Sports Ambassadors programme in schools throughout the county. The programme is designed to equip young people with the skills, confidence, and experience to become impactful volunteers and the next generation of community leaders in sport and physical activity.

Over the past month, more than 323 young people aged 10/11 from 90% of the county’s primary schools, have taken the first step, becoming Bronze Young Sports Ambassadors. Support has been given by the Actif Communities Team through training and ongoing support to enable the pupils to deliver physical activity sessions in extra-curricular time and to be the voice of pe and school sport at their school.

Young Sports Ambassadors was created as a legacy to the London 2012 Olympics and is still inspiring young to be active for life, and it has already made a powerful impact. Participants have contributed 1,000+ volunteer hours, helped organise school events, led peer mentoring sessions, and developed campaigns in schools to promote community clubs.

The next phase is to recruit Silver and Gold Young Sports Ambassadors in secondary schools.

"This programme is about giving young people a voice and unlocking potential," said Lyn Brodrick, Active Young People Officer at Carmarthenshire County Council. "We believe in the power of young people to lead, to inspire, and to create change. Young Sports Ambassadors gives them the tools, opportunity, and experiences they need to do just that."

Participants receive training in leadership, communication, teamwork, and delivering safe and purposeful activities — skills that are not only vital to their roles as ambassadors, but also invaluable for their future careers and personal growth. Many ambassadors of the programme have already gone on to take up leadership roles in their secondary schools as Gold Ambassadors, coaches in community clubs, and leaders of physical activity opportunities.

One participant, Sophie Regan, shared their experience: "Being part of young sports ambassadors has changed my life. I've learned how to speak up, take initiative, and make a difference. It’s shown me that I can be a leader — not just in the future, but right now."

As Actif Communities looks ahead, the success of young sports ambassadors is a promising sign of what’s possible when young people are given the opportunity to lead. Plans are already in motion to expand the programme to reach even more young people in Carmarthenshire over the next year.

Actif Communities invites community clubs and national governing bodies of sport to join in providing more opportunities for these incredible young leaders and to invest in the future by supporting the continued growth of the programme.

For more information about young sports ambassadors, how to get involved, or to support the initiative through sponsorship, please contact - Actifconmunities@carmarthenshire.gov.uk