In 2025, Weightlifting Wales was proud to launch the ‘Stronger Together Project’ - a pioneering new initiative aimed at increasing opportunities for young women and girls to engage in strength training and weightlifting. Supported by the North Wales Actif Innovation Fund, this project focused on tackling inequality in sport and breaking down the barriers that prevent girls from getting involved in physical activity.

Over 150 girls (aged 11–16) participated in the programme, whereby a different cohort of girls attended in six week block sessions, with one session per week. All sessions were free of charge, breaking that barrier of participation for young girls.

A great example of what can happen when you create the right environment.

Across North Wales, sessions like this have been bringing 11–16 year old girls into the gym, many for the first time, building confidence, learning new skills and simply enjoying being active together.

Delivered by passionate coaches like Holly at New Wave Weightlifting, the sessions are fun, welcoming and shaped by the girls themselves. Starting with games and gradually introducing strength training, including Olympic lifts, the group has quickly grown in confidence and ability.

What’s been great to see:
• Girls returning week after week
• New friendships forming
• Increased confidence and willingness to try something new
• Some progressing into regular club sessions and even competition

For many, this has opened the door to opportunities that might not otherwise have been accessible,  helping them feel part of a wider community and showing what they’re capable of.

This work has been made possible through the Actif North Wales Innovation Fund, a great example of partnership working to support new approaches and reach more young people.

Alongside delivery, insight has been collected in partnership with Bangor University, with data currently being analysed to help shape future programmes and build on what’s been learned.

A big thank you to all coaches, clubs, volunteers and partners involved in making this happen.

Yn Gryfach Gyda’n Gilydd 

Enghraifft wych o'r hyn all ddigwydd pan fyddwch chi'n creu'r amgylchedd cywir.

Ledled gogledd Cymru, mae sesiynau fel hyn wedi bod yn dod â merched 11–16 oed i’r gampfa, a llawer ohonyn nhw am y tro cyntaf, gan eu helpu i feithrin hyder, dysgu sgiliau newydd, a mwynhau bod yn egnïol gyda’i gilydd.

Mae’r sesiynau, a gyflwynir gan hyfforddwyr angerddol fel Holly yn New Wave Weightlifting, yn hwyl, yn groesawgar ac wedi'u cynllunio gan y merched eu hunain. Gan ddechrau gyda gemau a chyflwyno hyfforddiant cryfder yn raddol, gan gynnwys codi pwysau Olympaidd, mae'r grŵp wedi tyfu'n gyflym o ran hyder a gallu.

Mae wedi bod yn wych gweld:
• Merched yn dychwelyd wythnos ar ôl wythnos
• Cyfeillgarwch newydd yn ffurfio
• Mwy o hyder a pharodrwydd i roi cynnig ar rywbeth newydd
• Rhai’n symud ymlaen i sesiynau clwb rheolaidd a hyd yn oed i gystadlaethau

I lawer, mae hyn wedi agor y drws i gyfleoedd na fyddai, o bosib, wedi bod ar gael iddyn nhw fel arall, gan eu helpu i deimlo'n rhan o gymuned ehangach a dangos yr hyn maen nhw’n gallu ei wneud.

Mae'r gwaith hwn wedi bod yn bosibl diolch i Gronfa Arloesi Gogledd Cymru Actif. Dyma enghraifft wych o bartneriaeth sy’n cefnogi dulliau newydd a chyrraedd mwy o bobl ifanc.

Ochr yn ochr â'r ddarpariaeth, casglwyd safbwyntiau mewn partneriaeth â Phrifysgol Bangor. Caiff y data eu dadansoddi ar hyn o bryd i helpu i lunio rhaglenni'r dyfodol ac i adeiladu ar yr hyn a ddysgwyd.

Diolch yn fawr iawn i'r holl hyfforddwyr, clybiau, gwirfoddolwyr a phartneriaid a helpodd i wireddu hyn i gyd.