Clwyd West MS and Chair of the Senedd Cross Party Groups on Armed Forces and Cadets, Darren Millar, has called on the Welsh Government to work with sporting bodies in trying to develop an armed forces friendly sports club programme in Wales.

Raising the matter in the Senedd, Darren commended work done in Wales to date to support armed forces families and veterans but said more needs to be done.

Calling for a Welsh Government Statement from the Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for the armed forces, he said:

“We recently marked Armed Forces Day across the UK, and many of us took a keen interest in activities in our own constituencies. We've been very pleased to work on a collaborative basis across the Senedd Chamber over the years on supporting our veterans and support for our armed forces families, and one of the initiatives that we have been delighted to see blossoming in Wales is the Armed Forces Friendly Schools Programme.

“But the Cross-party Group on the Armed Forces and Cadets recently undertook a visit to the Royal British Legion's Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall, and we heard there first-hand how important it is that sports clubs are also armed forces friendly.

“So, I wonder what discussions the Cabinet Secretary might be able to have with the different sporting bodies, in addition to members of the cross-party group, in trying to develop an armed forces friendly sports club programme here in Wales, in order that we once again can take a lead across the UK in providing the very best support for our armed forces families and veterans across this great nation.”

The Senedd’s Business Manager told Darren that the Cabinet Secretary would be  “very happy to discuss this opportunity to develop armed forces friendly sports clubs”.