SPORTS STRATEGY

1. In order to deliver the national Active Sports Programme a sports partnership has been arranged in this area based upon all the district authorities in Hampshire, the three unitary authorities of Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight as well as the County Council itself together with governing bodies of sport.

2. In December 2002 a workshop was held involving sports development officers from all of these bodies with the aim of identifying whether there were sufficient shared issues that could form the development of a sports strategy across the area.

3. The workshop looked at four main areas, namely purpose, values, vision and strategy and the conclusion was that such a strategy could be formed; a comprehensive report from the workshop will be circulated for wider consultation with sports groups and organisations.

4. The purpose of the partnership covers such matters as the improvement of the community's health through sport, the creation of a community passionate about sport and the improvement of the quality of life through sport. Values to be pursued are equity, integrity and commitment to continuous improvement whilst the vision is the picture of the desired long term future and goals of the partnership (such as the development of a sporting culture in schools and increased adult participation in sport and physical activity) and the strategy comprises the specific initiatives necessary to achieve the vision.

5. The Executive Member has approved the development of a sports strategy for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sports Partnership in the light of the findings of the workshop.

4IR430103