Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

• Maximising opportunities linked to the Olympics.Policy: Support the development of sports clubs and organisations.This will be achieved by:• Strengthening sports and activities clubs across the City;• Supporting clubs to increase the number and quality of coaches;• Supporting volunteering.Places11. The second set of aims are place-orientated, and concerned with theprovision of sports and recreation facilities. The table in Section 3 indicatesthe priorities for the Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for the period up to2016. The priorities for the period 2008-2012 are proposed to form the basisof annual action plans for the City Council and its partners.12. The target, which has been set for increasing activity by 2012, is challenging.It will not be met by building a few new major facilities, nor through theschools reorganisation programme alone. However, the schoolsreorganisation programme and investment in new facilities do offer anunparalleled opportunity, so time and resources must be committed tomaximising the potential benefits.13. The lengthy timescales involved in planning and developing facilities meanthat it is unlikely that any major new facilities will be opened in the period up to2012 except where their planning is already underway. However, good qualitylocal facilities which are accessible to their local communities can play acritical part in increasing participation.14. The focus must therefore be on improving the range, quality and accessibilityof built facilities (including dual use) and encouraging more use of localfacilities such as community centres, school facilities and green spaces.However, increased use is unlikely to happen quickly without support and theco-ordination of the key partners, including the health sector. A priority for theperiod up to 2012 is therefore outreach work – in many different types ofvenue, with different groups, and in different locations around the City.15. This is a change of focus for the City, which has not given grass roots sportsdevelopment, outreach work or health focussed projects a high priority inrecent years.Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 7Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009 – 2016October 2009