Event review
FOSTERING COLLABORATION IAKS hosted its UK and Ireland conference in Cardiff in April. Stephen Bromberg, from IAKS and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, reports from the event, where one of the main topics was the strong need to strengthen the collaboration between health and leisure sectors
T
he International
From local to global
Association for Sports
Shaun Dawson, CEO of Lee Valley
and Leisure Facilities
Regional Park Authority in London,
(IAKS) held its UK and
opened the event, pointing out how
Ireland Conference
it had a “special Welsh perspective
at the Principality
and a strong international flavour.”
Stadium in Cardiff in April. The two-
This was expanded on by moderator,
day event, titled ‘Active Wellbeing in
Joanne Martin of My Leisure
Communities’, attracted more than
Consultants, who said: “Wales is
100 industry professionals to explore
the only nation to embed in law the
how sports and leisure facilities
need to safeguard future generations
can better serve communities.
through the Future Generations Act.”
Among the examples discussed
Keynote speaker Derek Walker, the
was how a unique piece of Welsh
Commissioner for the Welsh Government
Speakers at the event
legislation is influencing health and
for the Future Generations Act, then
included Joanne Martin (top)
leisure, and how learnings from this
set out how the legislation embeds
And Derek Walker (below)
can be applied in other countries.
long-term thinking into public policy
Shaun CEO of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority in London, opened the event SPORTSNATION.UK ISSUE 3 2025 86 Dawson,