Hounslow Sport and Active Recreation Strategy December 2004 Contents 1. Foreword 3 2. Executive Summary 4 3. Introduction 9 4. Purpose of the strategy – our vision 10 5. The Borough 12 6. Sport in Hounslow 14 7. The Aims for Hounslow 17 8. The National Context 20 9. The Regional Context 29 10. The Local Context 32 11. A New Strategy 35 - Increasing participation 38 - Improving levels of performance 43 - Widening access 47 - Improving health and well being 51 - Creating stronger and safer communities 56 - Improving education 59 - Benefiting the economy 66 12. Consultation 69 13. Implementation, monitoring, evaluation and performance 70 14. Appendices 72 21/12/04 2 of 88 pages 1. Foreword It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Hounslow Sport and Active Recreation Strategy. The Strategy has been produced through a working group including representatives of the Borough Council and its leisure and sports provider, CIP, the Health Authority and voluntary sports clubs. The Strategy is intended to provide a coherent framework in which sports and physical activity in Hounslow can develop and flourish in a true spirit of partnership between the local authority, other agencies and the many voluntary sports clubs that exist within the borough. The aims of the Strategy embrace the support and encouragement of excellent performance, along with participation and opportunities to “have a go” for everyone. As well as the popular and well-known sports, there are many less familiar activities available in Hounslow. Through improving the links between schools and sports clubs, it is hoped that young people will be able to experience different activities whilst still at school, thus widening opportunities and increasing the likelihood of continued participation in activity beyond school age. Sport and physical activity is not simply for young people, however, and the Strategy seeks to encourage and improve participation for all ages. I want to record my thanks to all those who have worked to produce this document. It will serve its purpose if it leads to more participation and a healthier, fitter population. I commend it to you. Councillor Amrit Mann Executive Member for Community Development, Cohesion and Community Safety Logos of Partners 21/12/04 3 of 88 pages 2. Executive Summary The strategy set out in this document aims to meet the needs of the borough’s communities whilst reflecting the regional and national priorities and vision outlined in recent publications, most notably The London Plan for Sport and Physical Activity (2004). Sport and physical activity can make a significant contribution to people’s quality of life in terms of a whole range of socio-economic benefits and development of life skills. Physical fitness and health are givens, but sport also contributes to educational attainment; improved pupil attendance and behaviour; safer communities; and tourism and the economy. All forms of sport and active recreation can make a contribution towards our vision of increasing participation. This can be through the more traditional forms of team sports like football, rugby, and cricket, to individual sports of athletics, tennis and gymnastics. Equally we recognise that new street sports like BMX, skate boarding, basketball and street hockey are also making a significant contribution with young people. The opportunities are endless, and therefore we are not prescriptive as to which sport or form of active recreation can contribute as they all do. We will encourage all clubs and organisations to contribute by being independent but having a common purpose. Hounslow has a very diverse community, with a large number of ethnic minority groups, high numbers of refugees and asylum seekers and areas of significant deprivation; it thus presents a wide range of differing needs. Levels of activity are closely linked with social class, income, educational attainment, ethnic background, gender and ability. The promotion of physical activity is particularly important amongst those groups where there ate low levels of participation. In 1996 the Department of Health issued a Strategy Statement on Physical Activity. It outlines what was then a new policy promoting 30 minutes of moderate physical activity for at least 5 days each week. People who are physically active are approximately 50% less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease, compared to those who are inactive. If we are to meet our vision of increased participation we must identify the barriers to participation and where they exist, find solutions. We must recognise that every individual can make a unique contribution to the well-being of the community, as well as fulfilling their own personal ambition regardless of ability. In preparing this strategy, due regard has been paid to the duties flowing from the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 and other equalities legislation. 21/12/04 4 of 88 pages We must ensure the investment made in our leisure centres, open spaces, parks, schools, and youth provision is maintained and fully utilised if we are to provide the necessary facilities and resources to meet the needs of our communities. We also recognise that public facilities provide only part of the resource required and that the private, voluntary and business sectors make an equally valuable contribution to the overall provision. The strategy makes the case for a multi agency partnership, working towards a common purpose to promote participation in sport and recreation for all sectors of our community. No single agency can provide the investment required to meet this goal. This document represents the first steps to addressing and taking forward this agenda, by working in a collaborative way and sharing the vision of improving the health and wellbeing of all who work and live in Hounslow. The aims of the Hounslow Sport and Active Recreation Strategy will be: Increase overall participation rates by an average of 1% per year Increase participation by all under represented groups Provide the structures required for individuals to fulfil their sporting ambition and ability to be physically active Involve key professionals and the local community in raising awareness of the fundamental role of sport and active recreation in maintaining health. Over the next five years we will work towards achieving seven outcomes. These are: 1. Increasing participation in sport and active recreation by: Providing a planning and coordinated framework mapping all facilities in the Borough and contributing to Sport England’s Active Places register. Working with and developing Hounslow Sport Forum to ensure it is fully representative of all sporting and recreational activities, establishing it as the main link for communications for all sporting bodies. Developing links through Sports Development function between schools and clubs to address the drop in participation after school age. Building capacity by providing opportunities for training sport leaders and coaches, developing a network of community based multi sport coaches to meet local need. Working with developers to address the need for increased community sport and leisure provision from their development proposals. Identifying and addressing barriers to participation for older people and under represented groups. 21/12/04 5 of 88 pages Encouraging organisations who are involved in the delivery of sport and active recreation in the borough to seek to ensure that their organisation reflects the local communities in which they serve. Developing a marketing approach for sport and active recreation to increase awareness of opportunities, activities and facilities promoting the benefits to health and well-being. 2. Improving levels of performance by: Developing cross sector support for the London Youth Games, encouraging participation and performance. Continuing to develop the Physical Education School Sport and Club Link (PESSCL) Strategy, looking at new ways to support the Gifted and Talented programme. Supporting the introduction of the National Coaching Certificate. Developing a register of all clubs, which will be able to share information and contribute towards the Sport England “Active Places” Register. Developing a network of information, guidance and support in areas of club organisation, bid writing and the preparation of business plans to build a strong foundation for a vibrant sporting club community. 3. Widening access by: Ensuring that facilities are located to meet local need and that programming targets priority groups. Continuing to develop sporting campuses bringing together a range of sporting, recreational and cultural activities into central hubs. Ensuring facilities and activities meet the needs of and are accessible to people with physical and learning disabilities to enable them to fully participate in sport and active recreation and progress to higher levels of achievement. Encouraging development and training of staff and volunteers involved in the delivery of sport and active recreation to enable better working with under-represented groups and address barriers to access. Developing programmes for community sport coaches to work with target groups, building capacity and skills of local people. 21/12/04 6 of 88 pages 4. Improving health and well-being by: Continuing to work with Hounslow PCT in promoting the health benefits of sport and recreation and targeting groups whose cultural background has been a barrier to participation. Encouraging early participation in physical activity in childhood. Working