Triathlon Cymru's Cynnig Cymraeg

Triathlon Cymru is the National Governing Body (NGB) for triathlon in Wales. It is run by a voluntary board.  

What Welsh services do you offer?

At Triathlon Cymru, we aim to imbed the Welsh language across as many areas of our work as possible.

Our weekly member newsletter is bilingual, with key stories translated each week to ensure accessibility for all members.

We also publish a fully bilingual Annual Report, enabling stakeholders and members to engage with and celebrate our achievements and strategic direction. Across our social media channels, we including Welsh language content in every post, often leading with a Welsh phrase or sentence. 

A recent example of our commitment is our Tri Dewi project, delivered with Welsh Government support for St David’s Day 2026. We collaborated with our clubs across Wales to encourage them to engage in triathlon activity, with 26 clubs putting on a multisport event. We also collaborated with leisure centres in each county and over 3,000 primary school children, celebrating Welsh identity, sport and community. 

As part of this project, all resources were made available in Welsh. This ensured the project was inclusive and accessible to communities across Wales. 

Why is using Welsh important to your organisation and the sport sector in general?

As a National Governing Body for sport in Wales, the Welsh language is central to how we connect with people and places. Using Welsh brings warmth, pride and a sense of belonging to our communications and events—it reflects the communities we serve and helps people feel seen and welcome from the very first interaction.

Developing our Cynnig Cymraeg also aligns with the spirit of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act: we want Welsh to be a living, everyday part of sport now and for future generations. 

It supports our commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that people can access and experience our sport in the language they feel most comfortable using. It also strengthens social cohesion by creating shared spaces where Welsh is visible, valued and normalised—bringing Welsh speakers and learners together through sport.

Describe the process of creating a Welsh Language Development Plan, from the decision to prepare a plan to receiving recognition from the Commissioner. 

We made a conscious decision to strengthen our Welsh language provision as part of our commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.

The process began with reviewing our existing bilingual services and identifying areas for development. We then worked closely with the Welsh Language Commissioner’s team to set clear, achievable targets and build a structured plan.

This included assigning responsibilities to staff and ensuring awareness across the organisation. Once completed, the plan was submitted to the Commissioner for review. Following approval, we received official recognition and the ability to use the Cynnig Cymraeg logo.

Why is it important that you have received Cynnig Cymraeg? What are the benefits for you?

Receiving Cynnig Cymraeg recognition was an important milestone for us. It acknowledged the progress we have made and supported our ongoing commitment to developing Welsh language services.

It strengthens our credibility as a national organisation and demonstrates to our members and stakeholders that we are committed to the language.

What are the benefits of offering a Welsh language service to your service users? 

Providing services in Welsh helps create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for participants, members and communities across Wales. It enables individuals to engage with our sport in their preferred language, which can enhance confidence, connection and overall experience.

It strengthens community engagement and social cohesion, helps us reach a wider audience, and supports the long-term growth of triathlon across Wales. 

Could you share a recent example of good use of the Welsh language with us?

Our Tri Dewi project for St David’s Day 2026 is a strong example. Supported by Welsh Government funding, the initiative brought together clubs, leisure centres and schools across Wales to deliver a nationwide day of triathlon activity.

We worked with a Welsh language freelancer to ensure all project materials were fully bilingual, including social media content, club communications, risk assessments and press releases. We produced lanyards with words commonly used when coaching triathletes with each word appearing in Welsh English and sign language.

This approach helped us celebrate ST Davids Day, the sport of triathlon and the Welsh Language and culture. The project has since been nominated for a Welsh Sports Association award, recognising our commitment to the Welsh language.

Would you encourage others to work towards the Cynnig Cymraeg, and why? 

Absolutely. Working towards Cynnig Cymraeg is a valuable step for any organisation in Wales. It demonstrates a clear commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. 

It also provides access to support and guidance, making it easier to develop and improve bilingual services in a meaningful and sustainable way.

Do you have any advice for any organisations that are considering working towards the Cynnig Cymraeg? 

If you are serious about inclusivity and engaging with communities across Wales, it is well worth pursuing. Work closely with the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Hybu team, they provide excellent support and guidance throughout the process.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to use Welsh. It’s about making progress, learning along the way, and showing a genuine commitment to supporting the language.