Next Government Given Priorities For Sport

Jersey Sport has highlighted seven key areas it wants the next government to focus on.

The body says it's aimed at getting more islanders involved in sport, which will subsequently improve their physical and mental health.

Only 52% of adults and 18% of children meet the World Health Organisation's recommendations for weekly activity.

Jersey Sport chairman Phil Austin says now is the time for the government to prioritise improving health, adopt a preventative approach to supporting the island's growing and ageing population, and address inequality when it comes to accessing sport and physical activity.

The seven areas it wants the next government to prioritise are:

• Increase Sports Development Funding and create a performance sport programme to help athletes compete on the national and international stage.
• More training, development and governance support for volunteers.
• Commit to providing new sport and wellbeing facilities at Le Rocquier by 2025, FB Fields by 2026, and a new skatepark in St Helier by 2024.
• Invest in active travel initiatives to encourage more islanders to walk and cycle to work and improve open spaces to promote their use as free active places.
• More funding on programmes to increase the physical activity of those who are the least active.
• Increase the range of programmes that help islanders with life-limiting conditions to become more active and invest more in programmes that reduce the need and burden on health services.
• Increase funding in primary schools, improve training and support for PE teachers, and develop an 'Activeteen Fund' to help sports clubs, fitness groups, schools and Jersey Sport to give sporting opportunities for 11-16 year olds both in and out of school.

"The benefits of physical activity are plentiful at both the societal and individual levels. Investing and prioritising the delivery of an active island is a strong enabler, supporting the Government of Jersey in delivering the Common Strategic Policy.

Having endured two sustained periods of lockdown where time out of the house for physical activity was one of the only perceived freedoms, islanders have a fresh 'lived' experience and respect for the benefits of being active and playing sport."

Election candidates have been invited to attend two Jersey Sport seminars on Monday 30 May and Wednesday 1 June.