We are committed to building inclusive, progressive environments that nurture athlete potential across Wales. By working closely with our partners, we place athlete needs at the heart of pathway and performance programmes, ensuring they are accessible, seamless, and supportive for all. Our Athlete Development Principles guide this approach, offering balanced opportunities, fostering physical and mental well-being, and creating transparent, dynamic pathway and performance programmes. These principles ensure every athlete, no matter their background, can reach their full potential and represent Wales on the global stage.
Provide opportunities for both those who are already driven to progress and those who may develop the ambition to excel in sport.
- Ensure the only barrier to sporting success is potential
- Engage and encourage people from all communities to explore their sporting potential and sporting desire
- Focus equally on individuals with sporting potential who have had opportunities to progress and those who haven’t yet had the chance to develop, while creating opportunities for development outside formalised pathways.
Embracing multi-sport opportunities for as long as possible
- Avoid early seriousness
- Offer competitive experiences that balance high challenge with strong support.
- Provide opportunities in sport that prepare individuals for a lifetime of physical activity.
Environments where all can develop and succeed
- Ensure individuals feel they are developing and succeeding, in whatever way that means for them.
- Foster a supportive environment that promotes both physical and mental well-being.
- Enable people to express their true selves without fear of judgement and create a sense of belonging, regardless of background.
Sport playing a part in developing the person and the performer
- Recognise that every person’s sporting journey is unique.
- Support people in reaching their highest potential in both sport and life.
- Help individuals progress, transition, or leave sport with a clear understanding of the skills and behaviours they’ve developed through their experiences.
Transparency and sharing of athlete development practice
- Promote an open-access culture for information and knowledge.
- Provide a clear and well-defined pathway structure.
- Share coaching practices with all interested stakeholders, including parents, coaches, and athletes.