Plas Y Brenin national mountianeering centre holds annual outdoor festival

Sep 23 2010 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

MOUNTAIN biking, kayaking, canoeing and skiing were on the agenda at the launch of a new community club accreditation award last week.

As part of their annual Outdoor Festival the North Wales Outdoor Partnership launched the new award at Plas y Brenin National Mountaineering Centre, Capel Curig.

The festival saw 110 people take part in a range of outdoor activities and skills development workshops. The Community Club Award was launched by MP Guto Bebb and the launch finished with a talk from Wales' leading female adventurer, Tori James.

Participants at the festival took part in mountain biking, climbing, canoeing, kayaking and skiing activities.

There were also opportunities for volunteer leaders from local outdoor clubs to refresh existing and develop new skills.

The community club accreditation award is a multi-sport quality accreditation for Outdoor Partnership member clubs.

The Partnership currently supports 92 outdoor clubs in the region and provides opportunities for individuals to volunteer and gain National Governing Body qualifications.

Currently outdoor clubs in the region are supported by over 220 qualified volunteer leaders, giving an estimated value of £300,000 of instruction to the clubs each year. “The development of outdoor clubs that encourage local people to take up these activities, improve their talents and skills and give them the opportunity to initiate and maintain lifelong participation in outdoor activities for health, social and economic reasons is an essential part of supporting the outdoor infrastructure in North Wales,” said Tracey Evans, senior project manager for the North Wales Outdoor Partnership.

“The award will give activity clubs of all types a structure and direction. Clubs given the Community Club Award will see many tangible benefits, including increased membership, funding opportunities, volunteers and a raised profile,” said Tracey.