Weightlifting Wales are immensely proud of achieving the accolade of being one of the winners for a second year running at the WSA Sports Industry Awards (Thursday 12th June). Having previously come out as award winners at last year’s awards ceremony in the category of ‘Most Influential Campaign Award’ for our highly impactful Raise the Bar programme, we were delighted to even be recognised initially as a finalist in our nomination this year in the ‘Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative’ category. Our nomination this year was for the incredible work of our licensed club, Strength Academy Wales (SAW) for their inclusive approach of breaking down barriers through strength. 

The WSA Sports Industry Awards was again held at the fabulous venue of The Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff, where a huge number of different programmes and initiatives were showcased during the evening of the spotlight of the nine different awards on offer. An evening that celebrated the tremendous work delivered by the sector all across Wales, in which Weightlifting Wales were grateful to be a part of.

As the awards proceedings kicked off and the first award was handed out, it then left the turn for the Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative award winner to be announced. With the three shortlisted initiative nominations presented, it was an amazing moment when the name of Weightlifting Wales was announced as the winner. While collecting the award on the stage, the promotional video for the nomination was shown on the big screen which helped highlight Weightlifting Wales and SAW’s commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for it’s local communities, and also recognising how such a weightlifting club can dismantle barriers, embrace diversity, and create pathways in strength training for traditionally underrepresented groups.

The full nomination for SAW’s Inclusive Approach - ‘Breaking Barriers Through Strength’ can be read below:

Strength Academy Wales is redefining inclusion in sport by removing barriers, embracing diversity & creating opportunities for all. As a Disability Sport Wales ‘InSport’ club, a Special Olympics Great Britain centre & a British Weightlifting licensed facility, SAW leads the way in delivering strength training for underrepresented groups.

Key initiatives include:

• Disability Programmes – Providing specialist coaching, adapted equipment & competitive pathways for Physical and Learning-disabled individuals, ensuring equal access to strength sports

• Women & Girls Empowerment – Through initiatives like "Us Girls,” “Raise the Bar Wales" & “Ladies Strength Group,” SAW is increasing female participation, providing a safe, supportive space for women to engage in strength training

• Over-60s Inclusion – Age Well Programme – Funded by the People’s Health Trust, this programme actively engages older adults, tackling loneliness, physical decline & social exclusion

• Youth Disability Powerlifting – Supported by Tesco Grants & Vinci UK, SAW has expanded disability & Special Olympic powerlifting sessions, inspired by their young para-athlete’s success stories

• Parkinson’s Strength Programme – Funded by Parkinson’s UK, this initiative ensures that individuals living with Parkinson’s have access to safe, structured training, helping them manage symptoms & maintain mobility

• Unpaid Carers Programme – A vital initiative supporting those who care for others, ensuring they too have access to physical activity & social interaction

• Versus Arthritis Strength Group – A dedicated programme, working in collaboration with Versus Arthritis, designed to support individuals managing arthritis through tailored strength training, improving mobility, pain management & overall wellbeing

SAW’s fully inclusive approach ensures that sport is not a privilege—it is a right. By embedding EDI into every programme, SAW is breaking stereotypes, fostering inclusion & proving that strength is for everyone.

We are honoured to be recognised within the sector for championing diversity and inclusion in sport. This award is a truly great recognition of all of the hard work delivered by Weightlifting Wales licensed clubs and their inclusive community programmes, not just for SAW. The accolade reflects the dedication of all clubs, coaches, volunteers, and community partners, and reinforces the belief that strength training should be accessible to everyone. This recognition motivates the whole Weightlifting Wales team and wider stakeholders to continue expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups, providing safe and welcoming environments for everyone to participate.

Weightlifting Wales would like to send their huge thanks of appreciation to the Welsh Sports Association for putting together such a fabulous event, alongside the event sponsors, Howden, who helped make such an evening possible.