For the past 12 months, Noir James the Community Development Champion in Ystalyfera, has been making big strides in his local community to get more people more active, more often.

The Community Champion role, which is funded by the Sports Council for Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government, targets proactive individuals within the community to get more adults off the sofa and into regular physical activity.

Although a part-time role, Noir has created, developed and instigated numerous clubs, leagues and coaching programmes since he took up the role last year and the Sports Council for Wales recently decided to fund Ystalyfera Community Development Trust to employ him for a further 12 months due to his ongoing commitment and success.

Noir, 55, has been fundamental in minor and major projects in Ystalyfera such as lobbying Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera to open the swimming pool and sports hall outside school hours, lobbying the two local surgeries to refer patients to the new Health & Wellbeing Centre which is due to open next month as well as the development of a woodland park in Godre'r Graig.

The married father of two explains, "It’s a case of changing perceptions and a certain mindset towards physical activity. There are barriers to sport but I’m trying to break them down slowly and change is starting to take place which is great to see."

Noir has also been fundamental in setting up a swimming club, aqua aerobics class, walking club, six-a-side football tournament and is now on the lookout for people interested in coaching qualifications – the costs of which will be paid for by the Sports Council.

Noir adds, "One of my priorities at present is to turn more people into football, netball, rugby, swimming or cricket coaches so that we have a wider field of coaches to call upon should we need them. By having more local coaches we can also look to hold more activities, which can only be good news to the people of Ystalyfera."

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

"Our mission is to get more people in Wales more active, more often. The Community Champion project is designed to use the skills of unique individuals in our communities to kickstart physical opportunities for adult, sedentary groups as well as families."