The Sport Wales National Centre has a Cardiff City centre location, yet it is surrounded by attractive parkland which provides an ideal environment for all users.

Multi-purpose facility

Our extensive indoor and outdoor facilities are used by more than 30 Welsh governing bodies of sport, including the Federation of Disability Sport Wales. The centre regularly hosts international competitions, training camps, coach education, qualifications and individual athlete training.  The facilities are also available for community use.

Top sports bodies all under one roof

The Centre is also the administrative base for Sport Wales, the Sport Wales Institute, a number of Welsh governing bodies of sport and other sports organisations such as the Commonwealth Games Council Wales.

The Centre has excellent travel links being a short drive from the M4 (junction 29 or 33) and only a 15 minute walk from the main train and bus stations and only a 30 minute drive from Cardiff International airport.

In 1961 after a conference in Cardiff the Welsh Committee of the Central Council of Physical Recreation undertook a survey of existing sport and recreation facilities.

The survey entitled 'Sports Facilities in Wales' was published in 1964 and concluded that 'all governing bodies of sport have emphasised the inadequacy of indoor facilities for coaching, training and competition at all levels. We consider there is an overwhelming weight of evidence to show the need for a national, multi-purpose sports centre for Wales which will provide facilities for the training of coaches and leaders; coaching at all levels and international competition.'

The Sports Council for Wales is formed

In January 1965 the Sports Council was established by the Government under the chairmanship of Mr Denis Howell, Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Department of Education and Science with special responsibility for sport and in October 1965 the steering Committee convened a conference to set up a Sports Council for Wales.

Later, as a result of work undertaken by the advisory Sports Council and then the independent fully autonomous Sports Council for Wales, a site was chosen in Cardiff and building started in 1969. Mr Denis Howell, then Minister of Housing and Local Government, commenced the building operations by cutting the first turf, not with the standard silver spade but at the controls of a Caterpillar excavator.

Royal opening

The National Sports Centre for Wales, as it was known then, was opened on the 30th October 1971 with the official opening by Her Royal Highness the Princess Anne on the 12th June 1972.

The centre was renamed the Welsh Institute of Sport in 1994 and became the Sport Wales National Centre in April 2010.  It is owned and operated by Sport Wales.

The centre is part of a network of facilities aiming to ensure Wales is able to compete on the international stage.

In addition to supporting national governing bodies of sport, facilities are also made available to the community.

We aim to provide an efficient and effective service by setting standards which will be regularly monitored and the results made available to view. We welcome your feedback and should you have any concerns or comments please speak to a member of staff or complete a customer comments form.

You can download a copy of our Customer Service Charter here. You can also download a copy of our results here.

Tell us what you think

As someone who uses our services, we welcome your comments and suggestions. Customer comment forms are provided throughout the building and we would like to hear your views. You can download a comments form here.

We care about meeting your needs and with your help, we can continue to improve.

However, from time to time, problems do occur. If you want to raise any concerns then feel free to discuss your concerns with a member of staff.

If you're still dissatisfied,  procedures are in place to formalise the process as follows:-

• Contact the reception desk.
• Complete a customer comment form. This can be handed in at reception or can be posted to the Manager, Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, CF11 9SW.
• Contact the appropriate Head of Department:

1. Customer Services 029 2033 8230

2. Catering and Housekeeping Services 029 2033 8222

3. Operations 029 2033 8302

4. Maintenance 029 2033 8314

You will need to give the following details: name, address, daytime telephone number and details of the complaint.

Verbal Complaints

We will try to deal with verbal complaints immediately. If we cannot, your complaint will be logged and investigated by the Head of Department. You will be contacted within 10 working days with a reply.

Written Complaints

Your complaint will be acknowledged within 2 working days. The complaint will be logged and investigated. You will receive either a written reply, or will be contacted direct by the investigating officer within 10 working days.

If the complaint involves further investigation we will keep you informed of the progress.

The Sport Wales National Centre operates a Welsh Language Scheme and welcomes correspondence and communications through the medium of Welsh.

Our aim is to make the centre as accessible as possible to all. You can download a copy of our admissions policy here.

• Assistance dogs welcome
• Toilets are accessible for disabled people
• Wheelchair access
• Access facilities for people with mobility impairments
• Audio loop at reception and portable loop system available
• We regret that the first and third floor accomodation is currently inaccessible to wheelchair users.

External

• Six disabled parking bays, 30 metres approximately from the main entrance.
• Automatic entrance doors approached by gradual ramps.

Internal

• Majority of ground floor area is flat, with a gradual ramp in one area.
• The main area is well lit.
• Reception desk has low counter and audio-loop.

Lift access

• A large lift connects the upper two floors from reception.
• This lift does not play background music.
• Staff do not need to be notified to use the lift.
• The lift is well lit.
• The lift does not have an audible announcer.
• The lift does not have Braille markings.

Residential Facilities

• There are two inter-linked en-suite wheelchair accessible bedrooms on the second floor allowing transfer space to shower, toilet and beds. These rooms have direct telephone access to reception.
• Fire alarm system includes strobes and sounders.
• There is an assistance alarm system in wheelchair accessible bedrooms.
• Provided in the rooms are cordless kettles and remote controlled TV's.
• Wheelchair accessible corridors on second floor to public cafeteria and resident's dining room.
• Corridors are well lit.

Meeting / Conference Facilities

• One meeting room has audio-loop system installed.
• A portable audio-loop system is also available in other meeting rooms on request.
• All meeting rooms have variable seating arrangements.

Toilets

• Adapted toilets are available.
• There is level access to the standard toilets.
• The toilets are well lit.
• There are disabled toilets in Main Reception, Changing Rooms 1, 2, 3, 7, at the rear of the Main Hall, outside the Jubilee Hall, in side reception and on the second floor (residents corridor)

The Sport Wales National Centre has a programme of external and internal assessment to monitor and improve performance and currently holds the following awards;

• QUEST, the UK Quality Scheme for Sport and Leisure (Good)
• Customer Service Excellence (previously Charter Mark)
• Investors in People (through Sport Wales)
• Green Dragon Environmental Standard Level 2 (you can download our environmental policy)
• Visit Wales 2 star Guest accommodation
• Gold All Wales Healthy Options Award
• Food Hygiene rating (4 Good)

• Accommodation
• Aerobics and Circuits
• Archery
• Astroturf
• Hockey
• Badminton
• Ballroom & Latin Dance
• Basketball
• Boccia
• Cafeteria
• Conference and meeting rooms
• Fencing
• Football
• Fitness facilities (Cardiovascular and free weights gyms)
• Gymnastics
• Hydrotherapy Pool
• Judo
• Lacrosse
• National Centre for Elite Athlete Support
• Netball
• Rugby
• Seated Volleyball
• Shooting
• Short tennis
• Squash
• Table tennis
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Wrestling
• Wheelchair rugby
• 5-a-side football
• Yoga

Centre opening hours

9.00am - 10.30pm Monday to Friday
9.00am - 10.00pm Saturday
9.00am - 9.30pm   Sunday

(Squash bookings available from 8.40am)

Reception is open at the following times

8.00am - 9.30pm Monday - Friday
8.15am - 9.30pm Saturday
8.15am - 9.00pm Sunday

Sport Wales National Centre
Sophia Gardens
Cardiff
CF11 9SW

The Sport Wales National Centre is located within Cardiff City Centre parkland. Transport links are very convenient either by public transport or by car.  Parking is available free although spaces are limited. There is a large Council pay and display car park within easy walking distance of the Centre.

All mainline trains and long distance coaches arrive at Cardiff Central Train and Bus Station.

By Train

Regular intercity and high speed trains leave for Cardiff from all major cities in the UK.

Please visit www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or www.centraltrains.co.uk for the latest information.

By Bus

Regular express coaches leave for Cardiff from most major locations in the UK.

Please visit www.nationalexpress.com for further information.

There are several options for the short onward journey to the Centre.

From Cardiff Central Train and Bus Station bus numbers 24, 25 and 62 go to Cathedral Road which is a two minute walk from the Centre.

By Taxi from Cardiff Train station

The journey takes about 5 minutes.

By Foot from station

The 15 minute walk takes you along the banks of the River Taff, past the Millennium Stadium, and through Bute Park where you can enjoy views of Cardiff Castle.

You can downlaod a map here

Phone: 0845 045 0902

Fax: 029 2033 8398

Email: nationalcentre@sportwales.org.uk

Post: Sport Wales National Centre
Sophia Gardens
Cardiff
CF11 9SW

You can view our customer comments form here.