ACTIVE NEWPORT - Support for Sport and Recreation groups
- Dan Coast
- Mar 6
- 3 min read
This page has been created to help you and your Recreation/ Sport group have access to all the support GAVO has to offer your group and to accompany the event on 6th March 20206, entry is free to all groups on the day with no booking required, just arrive any time between 10-2pm.
What are the challenges sporting groups face in Newport?
The Active Newport Report, brings together feedback from grassroots sports clubs, community groups and local stakeholders to understand the challenges and opportunities facing sport in Newport. Based on survey responses from a wide range of activities—including football, rugby, dance, athletics, swimming and more—the report highlights concerns around limited facilities, structural barriers to participation, and a strong feeling that Newport does not receive its fair share of funding or support.
Many groups reported difficulties accessing affordable, well‑maintained pitches and indoor spaces, with winter conditions placing additional pressure on already stretched resources.
Drawing on this evidence, the report sets out six key recommendations to help create a more active, healthy and accessible Newport. These include prioritising investment in new and improved facilities, strengthening collaboration between sports groups, widening community use of school grounds, and ensuring more equitable access and funding across all sports. The report also calls for stronger links between local clubs and the health board, recognising the vital role sport plays in prevention, wellbeing and community development—particularly in Newport’s most deprived areas. All of which GAVO can help with, click the link below to see the report in full or continue to read on to find out how GAVO can help
About GAVO
Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations is nearly 100 years old and has been supporting local community clubs and groups to continue to provide the service you do for the local community.
We provide this support for Recreation and Sports groups through the following ways:
Community Development
We provide support & advice to the Third Sector in Newport, including Community and Voluntary Groups as well as individuals who are interested in helping and supporting their community. This could include things such as Funding applications for equipment, coach development or support with venue costs and facility developments even help with an asset transfer.
Our Community Development Officer, Dan Coast (pictured, right) has 20 years previous experience supporting sports clubs across Wales through his previous work with both British and Welsh Cycling is on hand to help you.
Dan Coast - Community Development Officer
📱- 07908481263
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Volunteering
We provide support, advice, guidance and recognition across Newport for all things Volunteering!
Becoming a Volunteer allows you to make a difference in your community, our team of Sam & Kelly can help you to attract and retain volunteers needed to maintain and grow your group.
Sam Sims - Volunteering Officer (26+)
📱- 07376023365
Rachelle Pawley - Youth Volunteering Officer
(14 -26 Year olds)
📱- 07483128078
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Health & Wellbeing
GAVO’s Health, Social Care & Wellbeing Partnership Officer, Susanne Maddax are here to support partnership working between your group and other providers of health, social care and wellbeing services across Newport.
Susanne Maddax - Health, Social Care & Wellbeing Partnership Officer
📱- 07376022929
Zoë Paterson - Health, Social Care & Wellbeing Partnership Officer
📱- 07301575631
What funding is available for my group?
There are a number of schemes available and open throughout the year on a rolling basis to support groups and clubs such as the National Lottery's Community fund which has grants from £300 - £2m to support your group address a community need.
Sport Wales and your National Governing Body of Sport may also have funds that could support your group/ club or project in mind.
There are opportunities to apply for other local funding schemes that appear through shorter funding rounds. Our Local Development Officer keeps an updated list of these grants available on our website and is on hand to support you to make an application to any of these grants, we can even provide a match making service to help you find the right funding for your group or project. Check out the funding available via the button below.
To access the majority of funding available you will need to comply to the following:
✅ - Be a Constituted group
✅ - A community Bank account in place
Don't have these in place? - Then we can help you to make this happen.
