20 September 2016
The Jersey Sport Shadow Board (JSSB) has delivered its initial report and recommendations to the Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Connétable Steve Pallett.
The JSSB is the independent group that is advising the Assistant Minister on the creation of Jersey Sport, the organisation that in 2017 will take on responsibility for the development of sport in the Island. Entitled Sport Report, the Shadow Board’s document sets out a long-term vision for Jersey Sport as an independent body that will “become the organisation that competes on behalf of sport itself”.
Following extensive consultation among Jersey’s sporting community and informed by international research, the report defines a number of objectives for Jersey Sport. The organisation’s principal purpose will be to work alongside local clubs and associations to “lead, champion and enable participation and excellence in sport for everyone in Jersey and for the island as a whole, thereby contributing to a healthier, fairer and more attractive society”.
As a body independent of direct States control, Jersey Sport will play a key advocacy role, affecting and, where necessary, challenging public policy, and providing evidence of the value that sport and physical activity has in Jersey. JSSB’s stated ambition to be a pioneer in ‘physical literacy’ will help Jersey Sport to build on work already underway in primary schools to establish fit and confident children as the bedrock of a healthy and engaged society.
The establishment of Jersey Sport follows a Green Paper and consultation process in 2013, during which 64% of respondents from the sporting community expressed a preference to see the creation of a new body to oversee sport and bring fresh leadership. A subsequent report by consultants KKP endorsed this approach and identified numerous areas for potential efficiencies.
Connétable Pallett said “I am very grateful to the JSSB for the detailed work they have presented in their report and for the strategic focus they have brought to bear on future priorities for sport in Jersey. A particular priority for me will be furthering our work in physical literacy and developing our children’s overall physical and mental wellbeing. This will benefit the island in the short term, but even more so in the long term, given the potential advantages in improved health and educational performance. More widely, sport is about fun and enjoyment and we want sports of all natures to thrive. In creating Jersey Sport as an independent organisation, we will be providing the new leadership, coordination and direction that the sports community needs.”
Chairman of the Shadow Board, Phil Austin, said “Sport is a very strong part of life in Jersey, where we are blessed with many opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities. Jersey Sport will be complementary to the way sport is currently run, giving a new sense of leadership and coordination. Its creation as an independent body, outside of the States of Jersey, will create new opportunities, particularly in the business side of sport, which will help sport to meet future challenges.”
The JSSB’s report also acknowledges the considerable work done by a very large number of volunteers involved with sports clubs and associations, and identifies the pressures faced by this community. Part of Jersey Sport’s role will be to assist clubs and associations and help to enrich the volunteer body, although they will not be actively involved in the running of any sports.
View the Sport Report: Jersey Sport Shadow Board Initial Report and Budget Proposals
gov.je