Monmouthshire is officially one of the best places in Wales for people with disabilities to gain access to sport.

MonLife - an umbrella organisation of Monmouthshire County Council with responsibility for everything from leisure, youth and outdoor education to arts, museums and attractions - is celebrating being awarded the Insport Silver Standard by Disability Sport Wales.

The award was presented at full council last week by the organisation’s partnership manager Michelle Daltry.

The Insport Development programme aims to support and deliver inclusivity for disabled people through a ’toolkit’ developed by Disability Sport Wales.

This means that MonLife Active staff can deliver across the spectrum to disabled and non-disabled people at whatever level they wish to participate or compete.

By achieving this standard opportunities are widened, participation will increase and disabled people become more active and engaged. 

This, in turn, is designed to bring a cultural change in attitude, approach and provision of physical activity and wider opportunities for disabled people.

Throughout the four standards - Ribbon, Bronze, Silver and Gold - Disability Sport Wales supports partners like MonLife to develop their expertise and understanding of disability sport so that they become progressively more independent and able to demonstrate improved delivery and support to disabled people.

Councillor Richard John, Cabinet Member for Education and Leisure, said: "Achieving the Silver award demonstrates the commitment to inclusion from MonLife and Monmouthshire County Council to increase sporting opportunities for disabled people, and our ongoing commitment in  playing a significant role in building sustainable and resilient communities, reducing inequalities and supporting vulnerable people.

"Cabinet fully supports the journey to the Gold accreditation".

Presenting the award last week, Michelle Daltry congratulated MonLife staff on their achievement.

"It’s a real testament to the calibre of work they are currently doing and have committed to do in the future, and will ensure the ongoing development of inclusive sports to disabled communities in the Monmouthshire area," she said.