First Minister Mark Drakeford hopes to watch live sport in summer
- Published
Glamorgan's Sophia Gardens ground is one of the venues being volunteered to stage pilot events for crowds in Wales
First Minister Mark Drakeford says he hopes to watch live sport in Wales over the summer with pilot events planned.
A "potential stadia event" is being considered by the Welsh Government as part of a pilot scheme for the return of crowds to sporting events in Wales.
Wales' first minister says the test events have been scheduled for May.
"We all look forward to be able to be back watching sport," he said at his press briefing. "We're going to have some pilot events here in May."
The government has given, external more detailed plans for the easing of lockdown restrictions in the coming weeks.
It says a small number of outdoor pilot events of between 200 and 1,000 people are being planned.
The Football Association of Wales and Glamorgan Cricket have both volunteered to stage pilot events.
The announcement is part of a series of measures as lockdown restrictions ease in Wales with gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities able to reopen from 10 May.
Welsh Athletics has called on the Welsh Government to review its return plan and to bring forward the date that group activities can restart.
"Welsh Athletics is disappointed that despite the well-proven benefits to mental and physical wellbeing sport and exercise provides, that the date for return of activities for those aged 18+ has been delayed further," Welsh Athletics said in a statement.
Cricket Wales expressed its dismay, saying it had "been left disappointed by today's announcement and the further delay to the opening up of organised adult activity in Wales".
Swim Wales is also unhappy with the timetable of restrictions being lifted, saying the "roadmap out of lockdown has been both disappointing and concerning in equal measures", while Tennis Wales said it is "frustrating to see non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality being prioritised ahead of the return of wider outdoor tennis activity for adults".
Welsh Gymnastics said it was "hugely disappointed at the timeframes given for returning to indoor activity in Wales".
In England, up to 10,000 fans could be back in stadiums by mid-May as part of the UK government's plans to move out of lockdown.
The Premier League plans to have fans in grounds at the final two rounds of matches this season.
Wales' first minister said there will be test events with public safety paramount.
"I have been a member of Glamorgan Cricket Club longer than I have been a member of any other organisation and I very much hope that will be able to go back to watch cricket here in Wales over this summer," Drakeford added.
"We're going to have some pilot events here in May, in the sports and arts, and we're part of a UK group that is looking at the return of spectators to sporting venues.
"It's connected to a number of other debates including vaccine certification, and lateral flow testing and so on. Our shared wish is to get people back at sporting arenas but to do it of course in a way that is sensitive to the public health context and in a way that is as safe as possible for us all."
Wales' largest sporting organisations joined together to urge the Welsh Government to allow fans to return in a letter signed by 15 organisations in December, 2020.
The Welsh Government provided a £17.7m funding package to help spectator sports in Wales impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in January.
Any events in Wales attended by fans would be the first since up to 100 people were allowed to attend a car rally and duathlon event in September.
Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan says his rugby region would be lobbying to host a pilot event.
"I would love it if they choose us," said Ryan.
"It is not just the Dragons, it's about everybody. If it is pilot events, every sporting organisation would put their hand up and say they would love to stage it.
"Everybody just wants to see fans back and it's been a tough year.
"We have seen a great Six Nations and culmination of the Pro14 but it's not as good without the fans."