The 1960s and 1970s saw significant changes in lifestyle for the people of Wales.  Earnings increased considerably, which meant that people could afford cars, televisions, and all sorts of other gadgets.  It is hardly surprising, therefore, that this period also saw a change in the way that they chose to spend their leisure time.

People no longer needed to find recreational activities within their own communities.  They could use the car to travel to any other part of Wales or to England in a single day.  They also had the option of staying at home and be entertained by the television. 

Both cars and televisions had an impact on the dynamics of spectator sports.  As Welsh rugby entered its second golden era, more people than ever could marvel at its talent and flair.  In fact, television gave sportspeople and entertainers a larger stage than ever before on which to perform.  They soon became celebrities, earning much more than their predecessors could have imagined.  Indeed, the power of television had much to do with the professionalization of sport.

At the same time, television made Welsh culture more open to powerful influences from beyond the borders.  The wider range of sports that was made available through television could also influence the interests of Welsh people.  One such example was the surge of interest in snooker in the late 1960s as televisions switched to colour and the sport could be watched in homes throughout the country.

What happened next?
The sunset of heavy industry and the dawn of a new era (1980-)

Sources
Martin Johnes, A History of Sport in Wales, (Cardiff, 2005)
Peter Stead, ‘Popular Culture’ in T. Herbert and G. E. Jones (eds.) Post-war Wales, (Cardiff, 1995)