What will we be doing?
Supporting the first Sport Partnership that has been established (in North Wales). Continuing to engage across the rest of Wales to make progress on establishing the remaining four Sport Partnerships. Each partnership is at a different stage and support and activity will be specific to each partnership. Increasing momentum now will help ensure at least two additional Sport Partnerships can be established this year.
Why is this area of work so important?
A Sport Partnership will bring together the sport and leisure sectors alongside representatives from other key social and equalities areas, allowing them as a body to work together to better understand the different communities within their area. They will be the catalyst to tackling two long standing issues:
- Ensuring there is the right support and opportunities in place for those who are not regularly physically active - with a clear focus on removing barriers for those who need most help.
- Taking steps to meet the high latent demand from those who are active but want to do much more.
What insight do we have to highlight the importance of this work?
Every region of Wales currently has ingrained barriers to Sport. As shown by the School Sport Survey, no single region has over 50% of pupils participating in sport at least three times a week. When examined by deprivation, race, gender or disability the results are even lower. The evidence is clear that the current approach cannot shift the historic challenges.
What are we already doing?
- Supporting the North Wales Sport Partnership as it becomes established.
- Supporting the emerging West Wales and Mid Wales Sport Partnerships to develop a draft vision, governance framework and a lead project group to drive progress
- Political advocacy and relationship building to agree a way forward for Central South and Gwent partnerships.
What new work are we going to be doing over the next 3-6 months?
- Improving organisational and partner awareness of Sport Partnerships and their potential.
- Developing engagement plans for the remaining four Sport Partnerships yet to be established.
- Identifying the role Sport Partnerships will play in our new approach to community investments.
- Moving West and Mid Wales Sport Partnerships forward with some pace.
How can I find out more?
Jonty Roberts and Lauren Thomas can talk through developments and help identify how your work could align with plans around Sport Partnerships. The project team will also be sharing regular updates with all staff.