Talk:Sport in Wales

National sport

I've nitpicked this as "national sport" is a rather vague term. It implies that the sport is the most popular sport in Wales. This is debatable as soccer has higher participation number, higher attendences and is more popular across Wales rather than rugby union which isn't that big in mid and north Wales.

I know that rugby union is considered by many to represent the essence of "Welshness" so I haven't removed the reference completely.GordyB (talk) 20:13, 13 December 2007 (UTC)

I would be interested to see the figures. There are many, many ways of measuring this. Participation in clubs at all age levels, watching league teams play etc. etc. I think in terms of national identity we should look at internationals. There is no content here with the Millenium stadium full for the six nations and most other matches, not to mention the television viewers and coverage. I modified the entry on that basis. A participant measurement system might end up with angling being the national sport! --Snowded (talk) 06:21, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

Even in New Zealand soccer is the number one sport by participation. I will grant you though that attendences at internationals is the one things that Welsh rugby union does have over soccer.GordyB (talk) 09:48, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

I've gone in a bit gung-ho. But to be honest there is no national sport of Wales. Kids love their football and adults (especially a disproportionate level of women) love their rugby. During the 6 nations, Wales goes rugby mad, but then after fighting for tickets at the Millennium Stadium don't turn out to watch the same players the next week at club level. Go figure.FruitMonkey (talk) 23:47, 13 September 2008 (UTC)

Cardiff City is getting an average gate of 19,000 and Swansea City nearly 17,000 (by the way, Wrexham is now getting less than 4,000).[1] So let's say that 36,000 people are watching league football regularly in South Wales. There are four Welsh rugby regions; they'd need an average gate of 9,000 to match that. I think that I heard the BBC say that they Ospreys are now getting an average of 10,000 (could be wrong, it was only 8,500 against the Blues the other day [2]) and they are the best-supported region. On this basis, I'd hazard a *guess* that top flight rugby and league football are fairly evenly supported in South Wales. Of course, there's oodles more spectator and media interest in Welsh international rugby compared to the Wales football team.Pondle (talk) 10:30, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

I think you have to combine with the internationals, and also junior club Rugby etc. It is I think the case that Rugby is tied up with Welsh national identity (the only comparable place being New Zealand). Its probably more important to make that point than to make claims about national sport. --Snowded TALK 10:33, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

The Encyclopedia of Wales has a little line on this that I'll add if there are no objections.Pondle (talk) 11:38, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

Much better! --Snowded TALK 15:10, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

Athletics

What's really missing from this section is the incredible proportion of Paralympic medals Welsh athletes have brought home in the last few games. I'm sure as a stat, Wales is the most prolific Paralympic nation per head of population in the world. Plus we have major notable athletes with disabilities that have been recognised by national awards that are normally only recognised by able bodied athletes in other countries. These facts should be reflected to show the achievements and pride in the Welsh athletes.FruitMonkey (talk) 23:56, 13 September 2008 (UTC)

Traditional Welsh sports

I think it would be appropriate to include traditional Welsh sports. There's displays of them in St Fagan's. One is quoits - the throwing of iron disks, and another is a stick and ball game, it looks like a cross between hockey and curling - but can't remembers the name. The numbers who participate may be really low, but unique to Wales. Will try and find proper names and links. --Rhyswynne (talk) 09:53, 15 September 2008 (UTC)

There is also cnapan, a sort of early anarchic variety of football or rugby. Not played at all today, but unique to Wales and worth mentioning somewhere on Wikipedia, surely?Pondle (talk) 10:40, 15 September 2008 (UTC)

Try cnapan.GordyB (talk) 18:58, 15 September 2008 (UTC)

Yep, just noticed that article earlier today & took the liberty of adding it to a couple of relevant categories. Wonder whether it's worth a wikilink from the Sport in Wales page, perhaps as part of User:Rhyswynne's suggested 'Traditional Welsh Sports' section? Pondle (talk) 22:17, 15 September 2008 (UTC)

It is definitely worth a link.GordyB (talk) 14:25, 16 September 2008 (UTC)

Discussion of Dai Sport (dai-sport.com) at the reliable sources noticeboard

There is a discussion on the reliability of Dai Sport (dai-sport.com) at the reliable sources noticeboard. If you are interested, please participate at WP:RSN § dai-sport.com. — Newslinger talk 02:41, 10 February 2019 (UTC)

Related deletion discussions

Campaign for a Wales cricket team and Campaign for a Wales Olympic Team have been nominated for deletion. The discussions can be found at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Campaign for a Wales cricket team and Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Campaign for a Wales Olympic Team. Sionk (talk) 11:51, 11 September 2022 (UTC)