The State of the Region review, commissioned by Activate West Wales (formerly West Wales Sports Partnership), marks a significant step towards building a more connected, data‑driven approach to sport and physical activity across West Wales.
Activate West Wales (AWW) aim to reduce inequalities in physical activity so that everyone in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot can live healthier, more active lives.
This partnership brings together local authorities, health boards, national governing bodies, universities, community organisations and professional sports clubs, all working towards a more active West Wales.
Neath Port Talbot Sport and Physical Activity Service (NPT PASS) is one of several partners supported by the AWW to create more inclusive physical activity opportunities locally. The support NPT PASS receives from AWW helps to increase early years physical activity, strengthen community sport for adults and families and tackle local barriers to physical activity.
Supporting active lives from early years to adulthood
Within this regional landscape, the Neath Port Talbot Sport and Physical Activity Service provides a strong example of how local delivery can translate insight into meaningful action that focuses on early years development and inclusive community sport.
Creche Sessions and Tots Camps
NPT PASS is tackling inactivity by delivering targeted, community‑based Creche Sessions and Tots Camps that build confidence, develop fundamental movement skills, and create positive early experiences of physical activity. Funded by AWW investment, these programmes directly address regional challenges highlighted in the State of the Region review, including low activity levels among young children and high rates of sedentary behaviour.
Working with the Council’s Play Team, the NPT PASS team deliver physical activity sessions in six‑week blocks for under 3s in creche and children aged 4 to 6 in Tots Camps across Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe.
Resources such as Early Years Activity Booklets with games, ideas and guidance along with equipment are also provided to help creche workers learn how to deliver fun games, balance and coordination activities, listening skills and free play independently.
This approach leaves a lasting legacy where creche workers gain the confidence and practical tools to continue delivering high‑quality physical activity long after the programme ends.
From September to December 2025,a total of 209 children participated in 57 activity sessions across 19 creches. Feedback from creche workers highlight increased confidence and new ideas for play, while parents report positive experiences and children asking to attend more sessions. Many children progress into the popular Tots Camps, which run during school holidays and regularly reach full capacity.
Foundations for Sport Club Workshops
To strengthen wider community sports, NPT PASS also delivers Foundations for Sport Club Workshops. These events bring together local clubs, Sport Wales, Community Voluntary Services (CVS) and other partners to promote inclusive practice, share information and build new collaborations. The first workshop engaged 22 clubs, with further sessions planned to expand reach and support over the coming months.
Their programmes are supported by Foundations Framework Wales, a national good‑practice guide for anyone making sport and physical activity happen for children aged 3 to 11yrs.
The Foundation Framework Wales highlights several challenges:
- Just 22% of 8 to11-year-olds meet physical activity guidelines.
- 1 in 4 children aged 4 to 5 (27.1%) in Wales are obese or overweight.
- 1 in 3 pupils (31%) in Wales are not confident trying new sports.
NPT PASS responds directly to challenges highlighted by the Foundations Framework and the State of the Region review by supporting community clubs and other partner organisations to create positive experiences for young children and widening access to inclusive opportunities.
Staying active
NPT PASS demonstrates how local action and regional insight can create lasting change. Their early years programmes build confidence and enjoyment from the earliest stages of life for young children, while their sport club workshops strengthen community sport for adults and families. Together, these initiatives contribute to AWW’s vision of a healthier, more active West Wales, turning insight into action and building towards positive, long‑term impact.
