Thursday 13 August 2020
The Committee for Education, Sport and Culture believes 'Active 8: A Plan for Sport 2021-2030' is now needed more than ever - as part of a key support mechanism for the Island-wide Recovery Strategy following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Originally considered for debate at the States meeting to be held on 22 April - the Active 8 Policy Letter and Plan will now be debated at the States' meeting commencing 18 August 2020.
The Active 8 Plan aims to 'Create Opportunity; Build Community and Support Excellence in sport and physical activity' through the delivery of eight clear objectives:
- Encourage more islanders to be more active, more often;
- Inspire all generations to get 'Active for Life';
- Use sport and physical activity to improve health, mental health and well-being;
- Maintain, develop and improve accessible facilities;
- Support the provision of safe and secure Club environments;
- Make accessible open spaces;
- Support high performance athletes; and
- Inspire community engagement through volunteering.
Deputy Matt Fallaize, President of the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said:
'My Committee recognises the States' have committed to develop Health & Care and Community Plans as part of the Revive & Thrive Recovery Strategy. Those plans will take time to develop, but whilst the enjoyment we all derived from the two hours of outdoor activity we were permitted during the early stages of the restrictions imposed in relation to COVID-19 is fresh in our minds, now is surely the time to capitalise on - and build upon - the renewed sense of wellbeing some, but by no means all, islanders are deriving from being physically active.'
Research undertaken in England[1] indicates that for every £1 spent on participating in sport, the benefits generated in society are worth £1.91, with those benefits being felt across the health, social care, justice and education sectors. The Propositions attached to Active 8: A Plan for Sport include the investment of a modest amount to establish data and key performance indicators against which the return on investment in sport and physical activity, from grass roots to elite performance, can be benchmarked.
Deputy Richard Graham, Vice President of the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said:
'The importance of high quality data is necessary to justify on-going investment in sport and physical activity. However - to delay initial investment in the Active 8 Plan because of a lack of data when the derived benefits are so self-evident would be a huge disservice to our community. And we must remember that the success of Revive & Thrive relies on..."balancing risk and embracing opportunity to achieve at pace..."'
While the Committee will lead in delivery of the plan, many potential impacts also have the opportunity to encompass a wide range of physical and mental health benefits for the community as a whole. This includes many benefits in prevention and healthcare, as well as living well for longer. Physical inactivity continues to be responsible for one in six UK deaths (equal to smoking) and is estimated to cost the UK £7.4 billion annually (including 0.9 billion to the NHS alone). For this reason, some individual actions will be reallocated along with the relevant resources to areas (government and non-government agencies) more appropriate for delivery. This will include the Committee working collaboratively with partners - making this a truly joined up way of working - for the ultimate benefit of the community.
Deputy Fallaize said:
"Mindful of the Revive & Thrive vision that "We will work in partnership to recover our economic prosperity, built on our inclusive community values and capitalise on our many strengths to make Guernsey a safe haven based on sustaining health, wealth and community", my Committee believes the Active 8 Plan, if supported, will demonstrate the States' commitment to bringing about a sustainable improvement in the health and wellbeing of the whole community to ensure community recovery from this pandemic as well as ensuring the #GuernseyTogether spirit lives on."
[1] Social Return on Investment in Sport: A participation wide model for England (Hallam Sheffield University 2016)
