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Publlished: 28 April 2014

Sport Wales is to invest £3 million into sport in Wales to create a level playing field, tackling inequalities in sport.

£1.5m of National Lottery funding will be made available to projects that can generate positive action to encourage more young women and girls to play sport.

A further £1.5m will be dedicated to projects encouraging more people with disabilities and more children from deprived communities and from BME backgrounds to participate more regularly.

Sarah Powell, Chief Executive of Sport Wales explains: "We know from our School Sport Survey that children are participating more regularly than ever before. But there is more to be done. There are known gaps in participation which we do not accept as inevitable, but to tackle the gap we need a focussed and concerted effort. We want everyone in Wales to enjoy the positive benefits that regular participation in sport brings, regardless of background and circumstances.

"In a year when Wales' athletes are preparing for a Commonwealth Games on home soil, we are seeking projects that will make a real difference in breaking down the barriers that prevent these groups from regularly participating in sport, creating a lasting legacy opportunity from Glasgow 2014 for everybody in Wales."

Sport Wales outlined that they are looking for bold, new approaches and are encouraging applicants to come forward for the Calls4Action grant programme.

"We don't want more of the same. If we want to see a significant step change, something different must be done. We're conscious that even the process of applying for funding can itself be a barrier for some groups and so we've sought to make the whole process much, much simpler to encourage new people to come forward. We're not necessarily on the lookout for sporting experts - we want individuals and organisations that can bring fresh ideas to the table," added Powell.

Sport Wales currently invest more than £32m a year into sport in Wales.

Sports Minister, John Griffiths, has thrown his full support behind Calls4Action:

"Inequality in participation between differing groups is not inevitable and can and must be tackled.  This year the whole of Wales has the opportunity to get behind Wales at the Commonwealth Games and be part of a team three million strong.  Our aim is to to ensure that young people in particular, irrespective of their social background, have the opportunity to take part in sport at a grassroots level."

The launch took place at Dare Valley Country Park in Aberdare where the RCT Homes Go4it project was in the spotlight. The social housing provider was successful in its application for the first round of Calls for Action funding back in 2012. The organisation works with the local authority to combat the increasing poverty gap with family support packages which are aimed at getting families into exercise, sport and good health.

Now, the call is being put out for new bold and forward thinking ideas that can have a positive impact on the sporting landscape, with outline proposals needing to be submitted by June 20th 2014.

If you have a good idea and would like to find out more about Calls4Action - or if you'd like to find your nearest information roadshow - please contact Sport Wales on 02920 338246 or email c4a@sportwales.org.uk or visit www.sportwales.org.uk/calls4action.

For more on Sport Wales investment opportunities visit www.sportwales.org.uk/funding