'More that can be done on and off the field'

MS for North Wales

AFC Wrexham’s success has put the sporting spotlight on North Wales.

Readers will be aware of the global attention that the club and town now bask in, with the march up the leagues and dynamic ownership attracting eyes from around the world.

It’s a great thing, and long may it continue.

The start to the season has been a promising one, although there is lots of football still left to play.

Sport in Wales has a special place in our society, and we all know that North Wales is a sport-mad place.

I do feel that there is much more that can be done on and off the field, though.

That is why I was so disappointed to read that the Welsh Rugby Union had decided to move next year’s Six Nations under-20s matches from Colwyn Bay to Newport and Cardiff.

The under-20s fixtures in North Wales have attracted good crowds for many years now and were eagerly anticipated by many. There has been a gradual shift away from North Wales, though, but to not have a single match in our part of the world is quite sad.

Taking those games away will damage the sport in our neck of the woods, particularly at a time we should be encouraging kids and families to engage with sport.

I really don’t understand it, because there is plenty of support up here and that support base was growing and growing.

I also think the Wales football team should look at playing more in North Wales, particularly when the Racecourse Ground redevelopment is finished.

That applies to age-grade and women’s football, too. International teams in rugby and football are for the whole of Wales, not just a couple of cities down South.

That will not only help inspire the next generation of sports stars, but encourage everyone to keep active which is so important for people’s health.

To finish, I’ll also give cricket a mention – Glamorgan used to play matches at Colwyn Bay but haven’t for some years now.

I visited Chirk Cricket Club earlier this year, and there is clearly an appetite for professional cricket in North Wales, so let’s get some country cricket up here and engage North Walian fans!

As ever, if you need to get in touch then you can drop me a line at sam.rowlands@senedd.wales