DATES FOR THE DIARY
In our next SportsWatch we will detail in full the Sports Forum's upcoming programme of activity, but in the meantime please note the following dates for the diary, contact Lyne to book a place and ensure someone from your sport is represented:
Thursday 25 October, The Coaching Framework, 6.30pm
Thursday 15 November, Volunteering in Northern Ireland Presentation
Thursday 13 December, AGM
Hopefully you didn't miss:
Thursday 27 September, Sponsorship in Sport, 6.30pm - a very successful event!
SPORTS MINISTER ANNOUNCES DRAFT 10 YEAR SPORTS STRATEGY
Sports Minister Edwin Poots, MLA, has announced the public consultation of the draft 10-year Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation in Northern Ireland.
The draft Strategy is the product of two years work undertaken by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in partnership with Sport Northern Ireland, as well as a number of Government bodies.
Speaking to the Northern Ireland Assembly, Minister Poots said: "The announcement of the draft Sports Strategy presents Northern Ireland with a significant opportunity to ensure sport is placed on a clear and sound footing for the future. For the Strategy to be a success, we need to raise the current level of funding for sport over the next 10 years by £206million.
"We need a new, long-term vision for sport in Northern Ireland which allows us to maximise the opportunities that exist. Northern Ireland has a rich sporting heritage, one to be extremely proud of. It should be nourished to increase participation in sport and physical recreation and to encourage success on a world stage.
"Both watching and participating in sport can be fun and fulfilling, but it also has the potential to deliver other, more significant benefits. Sport plays a vital role in improving community cohesion, better public health, education and skills, economic growth, social development and attracting tourists to our region.
The Minister continued: "This public consultation comes at an exciting time for sport following the success of London's bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games have the potential to motivate and inspire our young people to take up sport, to enhance Northern Ireland's sporting infrastructure and to develop our athletes. It will also help us to put in place the foundation for a durable sporting and cultural legacy.
"Today, sport in Northern Ireland is facing major challenges and significant difficulties. Evidence suggests that participation rates are amongst the lowest in the UK and falling and that many of our sporting facilities require substantial development and modernisation.
"We cannot allow this situation to continue. If we are to succeed, we need a common goal, a shared vision and an agreed structure in which to take action."
The Minister continued: "The draft strategy offers 24 specific targets for sport and physical recreation to be achieved over the next 10 years. These are designed to address concerns in relation to participation, performance and places and include the need to improve levels of participation in sport and address under representation amongst certain groups of people; the need to improve Northern Ireland's performance in international competition; and the question of a major multi-sports stadium for Northern Ireland.
"If the strategy is to be implemented in full, it needs the commitment of all stakeholders including Government, local councils, sports bodies and the private sector. The success of this strategy relies on not only stakeholders' commitment to implementing it, but also their ability to contribute to it financially.
"I have no doubt that many of the targets will be regarded as challenging. Yet, if achieved, there is the prospect of injecting the much needed rejuvenation into the way we deliver sport and physical recreation in Northern Ireland."
The Minister continued: "I want to urge as many people as possible to consider this draft strategy carefully and to respond to it. The future of sport in Northern Ireland is at stake and this must concern us all. I therefore look forward to the outcome of the consultation and to receiving comments.
"The outcome of the consultation will help shape the final Strategy which I expect to publish as soon as possible after the consultation is completed."
For further information and to download the document please go to:
http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/index/sport/sport_strategy_for_northern_ireland.htm
THE COACHING FRAMEWORK: NOT TO BE MISSED!
The Northern Ireland Sports Forum is delighted to invite you to our upcoming The Coaching Framework seminar.
Whether you are involved in sport; professionally or voluntarily, as a governing body or a club, or a coach, the evening will provide you with an insight into coaching and in particular, the future of coaching in Northern Ireland.
It will also provide an opportunity for sports to come together and focus on common issues that affect coaching today.
It will be held at Belfast Activity Centre & will cost:
FREE - Subscribed Sports Forum member
£5 - Club whose Governing Body is a subscribed Sports Forum member
£10 - Any other (cheques to be made payable to NISF)
If you wish to attend, or require further information please contact Lyne Greenwood on:
T: 028 9038 3825
BELFAST TELEGRAPH SPORTS AWARDS
The Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards 2007 has been launched! - see http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/article3070976.ece
The presentation of the Awards will take place at a gala dinner to be held in the Ramada Hotel on Monday 21 January 2008.
The purpose of the Awards, organised in association with the Sports Forum, is to identify sporting achievement and recognise those individuals, teams and organisations whose contribution to Ulster sport is outstanding.
Nominations may be made by organisations, governing bodies of sport, district councils, local sports councils and individuals.
This is your chance to see your favourite sports personality or team get the further recognition they deserve.
FUNDING FOR SPORTS RESEARCH
The Sports Marketing Research Trust was set up in 2004 in order to assist governing bodies of minor sports and sports charities to undertake research projects which will benefit their sport. The Trust was set up by Sports Marketing Surveys Ltd, the largest dedicated sports research agency in Europe, with a budget of £100,000 over five years.
In the first three years, some of the recipients of the grants have been:
National Rounders Association, The Sail Training Association, Golf Development Wales, Gymnastics Northern Ireland, Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, The Association of Physical Education, The Golf Foundation, British Gymnastics, Amateur Rowing Association, Brunel University and The Mountaineering Council of Scotland
The projects which have been grant-aided have been as diverse as:
The awareness of, and attitude to, a Governing Body. How to attract more women to play golf? Attitudes to the benefits of moderate and vigorous exercise. Public attitude towards the diversion of a river to increase water available for rowing. Attitudes towards Physical Education in Schools. Increasing recruitment to a Governing Body. The commercial value of a sponsorship, and finding the most popular tennis commentator at Wimbledon!
All applicants for a Sports Marketing Research Trust grant must complete an application form, which is assessed by an Awards Panel made up of experienced individuals with a wide range of knowledge about the administration of sport.
If your organisation would like to be considered for a grant, please write, phone or e-mail Corinne Aldrich at the Sports Marketing Research Trust.
Sports Marketing Surveys Ltd.
The Courtyard, Wisley, Surrey GU23 6QL, United Kingdom
T: 01932 350 600 E: corinnea@sportsmarketingsurveys.com W: www.sportsmarketingsurveys.com
2012 SPORTS FACILITIES AVAILABLE
It is the intention of the Olympic Development Authority (ODA) to provide a number of relocatable / reusable sporting facilities in London for the 2012 Games. It is anticipated that these facilities will be made available to organisations throughout the UK following the Games, as part of the 2012 Legacy.
Sport England have been asked to oversee the disposal process and an inventory of the facilities is listed on the Sport England website: http://www.sportengland.org/index/get_resources/2012venues/2012venues-cont.htm
The site also contains Frequently Asked Questions relating to the proposed process.
Organisations interested in obtaining any of the facilities or related equipement should download the expression of interest form from the website and email completed forms to legacyvenues@sportengland.org by 09 November 2007.
If your organisation intends to register an expression of interest please copy your submission to Paul Scott of Sport NI at E: paulscott@sportni.net
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