More children, adults and people with a disability will soon be scaling to new heights in Monmouthshire thanks to a National Lottery cash investment from the Sports Council for Wales.

Usk Fishing in Monmouthshire, a business formed last year to provide fly-fishing tuition on the River Usk, has netted £1,000 from the Sports Council which will fund the provision of light rods, specialist safety vests, qualified instructors to run fishing sessions as well as other essential accessories.

Oonagh Bastille, Usk Fishing’s Partner, explains "Our intention is to increase the number of people who participate in fishing and to train them effectively in the sport so that in future they have the confidence to fish on their own.

"We’re concentrating first on educating and training children and young people and will look to make strong links with local schools so that they benefit from the courses. There are great health benefits related to fishing as well as helping to boost confidence and self-belief."

Fishing has never been so popular in Wales and is the UK’s biggest participation sport.

Usk Fishing courses are designed for the complete novice with no expectation of previous fly-fishing experience. The emphasis is on having fun although instruction will include putting the rod together, setting up, choosing the fly, how to read the water and casting.

The company also runs corporate events and offers weekend breaks at Pant y Goitre which is located between Abergavenny and Usk. In future, Usk Fishing will also look to host educational visits to Pant y Goitre because of the colourful wildlife.

If you have an idea that could get more people, more active more often – you may even be in line for a cash grant from the Sports Council for Wales.

Projects up and down the country have been reaping the rewards of the Community Chest scheme since 1999.

As a result of the popularity and undoubted success of the scheme, the Sports Council for Wales is raising the level of grant. Organisations keen to develop sport & physical activity in Wales can now receive up to £1000 for a qualifying project over a 12 month period.

The scope of the scheme has also been widened. Grants have traditionally been awarded to sports clubs and sporting bodies. Now most organisations seeking to develop physical activity and sporting projects will be eligible for an award.

The Community Chest has recently been infiltrating additional areas of work such as the voluntary sector (e.g. Voluntary Youth Clubs, Women’s Institute) and the workplace, as well as continuing to support projects in the health and education arenas. So while funding the local football club might get the younger members of the community moving, backing a walking group will encourage more adults to get active.

Chair of the Sports Council for Wales, Philip Carling, said:

"Community Chest has been and continues to be a huge success and is very popular throughout Monmouthshire. The increase in funding and the greater scope of the scheme will increase its effectiveness.

"Panels based in each of the 22 local authorities in Wales hold the purse strings and have delegated authority to award grants to worthwhile projects. We want to hear of bright ideas and projects that will get more people in Monmouthshire more active, more often."

To remove the obstacles and to get your project going, call your Sports Council for Wales regional office:

South East Wales: 0845 045 0902

South West Wales: 0845 045 0906

North Wales: 0845 045 0908

Or visit www.sports-council-wales.org.uk