Shadow Minister for Sport visits University to gather views on sport policy document

Clive Efford MP, the Shadow Minister for Sport, visited the University yesterday to discuss his policy proposals to enhance school and community sport.

Mr Efford, the MP for Eltham, is gathering feedback on his draft policy document ‘Building on the 2012 Sport Legacy’.

His visit to Bath was one of several to different regions of the country collecting views from academics, teachers and sports professionals on how to improve the sports provision in schools and communities.

The University was delighted to host this event as it is actively supporting policy change through it’s new Institute for Policy Research.

Mr Efford toured the Sports Training Village before giving his presentation which was attended by around 40 delegates including representatives from the Department for Health, TeamBath, Bristol City Council, the English Institute of Sport, Active Devon and the University of Bristol.

The presentation, introduced by Head of the Department for Health Dr James Bilzon, asked the delegates to respond to 10 key questions which form the basis of the policy document:

1. What could be done to better support co-ordination of sport in our communities, including through schemes designed to tackle social exclusion and anti-social behaviour?
2. How do we ensure that children are encouraged to participate in sport and physical activity and instil a sporting habit for life?
3. What structure should be put in place to coordinate sport in schools and ensure that current best practice can be delivered in every area?
4. How do we help schools deliver specialist coaching of sports?
5. How do we break down the barriers between sport in schools and sport in the community and prevent young people losing interest in sport during their teenage years?
6. What should we do to get more women and girls to take part in sport and what is the role of media in promoting positive image of women in sport?
7. What should be done in our communities to ensure that sport if fully accessible?
8. What should be done to ensure sport in our schools is fully inclusive?
9. How can we engage those adults that do not participate in any sport or physical activity?
10. How do we make better use of the resources we have in our communities to make it easier for people to participate in sport and physical recreational activities?

The delegates will be emailed the questions and given the opportunity to comment on each on which will be considered in the next draft of the document.