May 08 Blog

It’s that time of year when we look back and again it has been a year of substantial achievements in the east. County Sports Partnerships have gone from strength to strength (can I encourage you to have a look at their websites and sign up for their updates? – details are below), Community Sports Networks have been developed in virtually all parts of the region and there has been excellent work to embed sport into Local Area Agreements. We have also seen a strengthening of our relationship with sport’s National Governing Bodies and the start of the exciting extending activity work aimed at attracting and retaining more young people in sport.

On the investment front we have seen £3.5 million National Lottery funding awarded to projects which have attracted a further £10million of investment. Although early days, the Active People results seem to suggest that participation is heading in the right direction (see Advise below).

We also have a growing awareness of our new direction in responding to the Government’s wishes to see more emphasis placed on working with national governing bodies and a tighter definition of sport. We are conducting consultation exercises across the delivery system and the results from this are being used to shape the final delivery plan, with a potential launch in mid May. We will keep you in touch with developments through the blog and through the key networks.

On the colleague front I’m sad to report that Spencer Harris will be going to work for the University of Hertfordshire in July but really pleased to say that Simon Fairhall has been appointed as Chief Executive of Living Sport.

Lastly, summer provides the ideal opportunity to see what the best of sport has to offer through the forthcoming youth games and I look forward to seeing you around the region.

Chris Perks, Regional Director

CSP Websites:
www.activenorfolk.org
www.sportinherts.org.uk
www.livingsport.co.uk
www.sportessex.com
www.suffolksport.com (new website due soon)
www.teambedsandluton.co.uk


Advise

Sport England reveals sports participation is increasing; with the over 55s leading the charge

The number of adults across England who regularly participate in sport and active recreation has increased, with the 55s and over showing the biggest growth spurt, a Sport England survey reveals.
More


Local Area Agreements embrace sport

All 10 Local Area Agreements in the region have decided to include NI8 (adult participation in sport) in their LAAs. Although targets are currently being negotiated, these will mostly be between 4-4.5% increase in participation in each of the 10 areas.
This means that sport will be part of these important local strategic frameworks providing a great opportunity for all to work collectively and get more people engaged in sport.


Sport Playing its Part
The Spring 2008 edition of the SPIP Quarterly Newsletter is now available on the Sport England website.
More



Invest

Local sports centre is given cash boost by Sport England East
The Burnt Mill Academy of Table Tennis Skills (BATTS) based at the Norman Booth Recreation Centre in Old Harlow, Essex, has been awarded £110,000 of funding from Sport England East to improve its facilities.

The investment has enabled club volunteers to carry out a £148,000 refurbishment including a new semi sprung sports hall floor, modern changing rooms with accessible facilities, an accessible lift and a comfortable and attractive social area for visitors to the club.

Sport England East agreed the funding under the Community Club Development Programme (CCDP) to enable BATTS to provide quality facilities suitable for all ages and abilities within the local community.


New Canoeing venue to leave major attraction after the Games

The new venue for the London 2012 Canoe/Kayak Slalom events has been confirmed as the Showground in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. It will become a White Water Canoe Centre after the Games - a major lesiure attraction as well as a competition venue for elite events.
More


Promote

West Suffolk College to receive RFU award
West Suffolk College sports academy, Bury St Edmunds was the national winner in the More Than a Game category of the annual awards. There are 15 categories to recognise the most innovative ideas which meet the RFU's Community Rugby themes of More People, Better Places, Access for All and Enjoyment.

West Suffolk College had the distinction of also being joint runners-up in the More Coaches category.
More


2008 Events

There are a number of events planned over the forthcoming months. For a full listing and further details please look at our events page

10-11 May
Herts Youth Games

12-13 May
Relaying the Baton 3

14 May
East Regional Sport Board

18 May
Team Beds and Luton Street Games
Events county-wide

18 May
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) RIDE FOR LIFE

2 June
Gender and BME training workshop conference

13 June
Living Sport Youth games plus

6 July
Suffolk Youth Games 2008

18 July
East Regional Sport Board

19 & 20 July
The Danbury Bike Festival - Little Havens Mountain Bike Challenge & Mud, Sweat and Gears Mountain Bike Enduro

24 Aug
UK's Cultural Olympiad begins and Olympic Handover