Physical Activity Network for Wales

In 1999 the Welsh Assembly Government invited members of the Sports Council for Wales to convene a Healthy and Active lifestyles Task Force to advise on cross cutting issues in order to increase the levels of physical activity in Wales. A series of recommendations were produced at the end of 2001 and following consultation the ‘Healthy and active lifestyles in Wales: a framework for action’ was produced. This sets out a programme of action to encourage the population of Wales, particularly the most sedentary, to lead more active and healthy daily lifestyles.

The intention of the plan was to complement other Welsh Assembly Government initiatives, including the Walking and Cycling Strategy, the Physical Education and School Sport Action Plan and the Sport and Active Recreation Strategy, to tackle the issue of increasing levels of inactivity with a broad base of initiatives.

It is recognised that in order to achieve change, effective partnerships are needed. One of the key objectives for the healthy and active lifestyles plan was to develop national and local partnerships and strategies to increase physical activity through active living. Many of these partnerships are already in place; it is the inclusion of physical activity in all health programmes developed by these partnerships that needs to be addressed. One of the recommendations of the plan therefore, was to establish an all-Wales physical activity liaison group in order to bring together national and local representatives to identify common objectives, to share best practice and to establish a Physical Activity Network for Wales.

The Physical Activity Network for Wales will link with individuals and organisations across the whole spectrum of physical activity in Wales, providing support and facilitating partnership working. The network will also facilitate the sharing of information and best practice principles, with the aim of increasing the physical activity levels of the people of Wales.
In 2005 the Welsh Assembly Government commissioned the Wales Centre for Health to develop and establish the Physical Activity Network for Wales. The Physical Activity Network for Wales was formally launched in October 2006.
In 2007 the Nutrition Network for Wales and Physical Activity Network formed an alliance.