words hamish stuart pictures Steve Pope
Cardiff iS a SERIOUS
CiTY of SPorT

Everyone knows liverpool is the “It was a three day visit,” he said. “We took Part of all the development is aimed
current Capital of Culture, complete them around the venues where there has at feeding a broader outlook from the
with sniggering as it was launched been investment, 17 schools with a new traditionally narrow sporting choice of rugby,
by ringo Starr, but there is no astroturf, gym or dance studio, all with an football and cricket, etc.
laughing matter as Cardiff prepares investment in community development for
to become britain’s City of Sport. those facilities. “Kids want to have a go at different sports
and there has been a shift in emphasis
The European award means the Welsh capital “We took them to the Cardiff Blues where towards the more extreme sports such
is preparing to succeed Leicester as Britain’s they did a presentation on the Future Blues as BMX, mountain bikes and surfing, partly
top sporting City, with a host of special events community programme, with the links because of 2012,” explained Morris.
lined up to go with Cardiff’s ever-growing list between Cardiff Council, the Welsh Rugby
of sporting facilities. Union and the Blues. “We are also planning a Welsh sports
conference in 2009, which could well become
After all there is a pretty unique mix of top a British or European conference to compare
facilities and teams across a whole host of ”...a new ice house and notes and learn from each other.
sporting disciplines – with a new ice house
and kayaking artificial river in Cardiff Bay soon kayaking artificial river in “Along with Newport and Swansea, we will
to add to the variety. be hosting the British Schools Championships
Cardiff bay soon to add which will be the biggest event Cardiff will
The award is not just a sign of European host next year with around 2,000 children.
recognition, there is also £10 million Euros to the variety...”
available for the likes of Cardiff, Madrid and “It will be the biggest multi-sport event in
Warsaw to bid for as the respective cities of “There are 16 rugby clubs in Cardiff and they Cardiff since the Empire Games in 1958.
sport for their countries. all fit into that programme – that was one of
the parts which most impressed the judges. “There is an enormous amount going on, it is
Cardiff sport development manager Steve just awesome.”
Morris explained, “There is an organisation “We went to UWIC with the facilities there,
called ACES which is recognised by the including the National Indoor Athletics Preparing for the 2009 is serious business,
European Commission in Brussells as the Centre (NIAC), where we have a partnership but it will be chance to showcase Cardiff and
leading body to drive sport across Europe. based round coaching and coaching Wales sport on the European stage.
development for their students.
“There is a whole list of things you have to
fulfil, but the start was being nominated by “There is Dragons Sport with 100 classes
Leicester, the 2008 City of Sport, and then round Cardiff, so UWIC provide a lot of
having to satisfy the judges from across those coaches and volunteers which also
Europe. helps the students in their three year sports
degree.
“They want to see capital investment, an
events programme and structure, grass “There is the Welsh Institute of Sport, the
roots development, engagement with the new swimming pool, the SWALEC Stadium,
community with a focus on children and the new football ground and athletics track
young people and disability sport. – all of international standard which will be
important to being one of the support cities
“There is no doubt that Cardiff punches well for the 2012 Olympics.
above its weight in these respects.”
City of Sport
“We have just put the first spade in the
Morris is obviously deeply embedded in the ground for the Kayaking centre and it is
sporting initiatives within Cardiff, but when even possible that could become an Olympic
SW
he pulled absolutely everything together for venue if there are further problems with the
44
the visit of the ACES judges even he was planned Kayaking course in Essex.” Steve Morris
surprised by the full list.
sportingwales
issue4twothousand&eight
SW_Issue4.indd 44 9/10/08 15:33:55
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