Sport England has published a radical new strategy, which aims
to get more people playing and enjoying sport, as well as helping
those with talent get to the very top.
The strategy focuses on a new "world leading community sport
system" to maximise English sporting success in all forms, which is
of particular importance in the lead up to 2012. The Olympics and
Paralympic Games 2012 has provided Sport England with a once in a
lifetime opportunity to inspire people and to take part and succeed
in sport.
The strategy commits Sport England to deliver on a series of
demanding targets by 2012/13:
- one million people doing more sport
- a 25% reduction in the number of 16 year-olds who drop out of
five key sports
- improved talent development systems in at least 25 sports
- a measurable increase in people's satisfaction with their
experience of sport - the first time the organisation has set such
a qualitative measure
- a major contribution to the delivery of the Five Hour Offer for
PE and sport for children and young people.
Sport England will work closely with the
National Governing Bodies of
sport (NGBs) to deliver the new strategy and will also create
strong partnerships with Local Authorities. It will reduce
bureaucracy by combining its multiple funding streams into a single
pot of funding for NGBs, and will be consulting on a new, more
streamlined method of funding wider community projects. (link to
consultation)
Jennie Price, Chief Executive of Sport England, said:
"My aim was to produce a clear, sharply focused strategy for Sport
England that would win credibility with our stakeholders and set
high standards for us as an organisation. Grass roots sport
deserves a world leading system, and that is what we are setting
out to deliver.
"I am confident that the Governing Bodies of sport, on which this
strategy is critically dependent, will rise to the challenge of
delivering on participation, talent support and increased
satisfaction within their sports."
Carrie McKenzie, Sport Partnership Strategic Adviser believes,
there are opportunities for LIOs to engage with the strategy and
become part of the world leading community sport system. LIOs have
links to numerous networks, partnerships, groups and organisations
which work with the most excluded and diverse communities. By
providing infrastructure support, signposting and encouraging
greater awareness and promotion of sport, the third sector can make
a valuable contribution to increasing participation in sport.
Find out more
Sport England Strategy - full
document
Sport England Strategy - executive
summary
Sport England Strategy - article by Carrie
McKenzie