Grant for sport in West Wiltshire

11.24.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th May 2008

At a time when the London olympics are swallowing most lottery and sports budgets a small amount of money is being dished out by government via the quango 'Sport England' for so-called 'Community Sports Networks.' (CSN)

West Wiltshire Council's Leisure team is working with Sport England to develop a CSN for the West Wiltshire area, after receiving £46,500 in funding from the Sport England lottery fund.

The new CSN will become part of a national network developed by Sport England, which aims to ensure those involved in sport, active recreation and physical activity have a forum to meet and exchange ideas and shape the development of sporting opportunities in the district.

Richard Wiltshire, West Wiltshire's portfolio holder for leisure said:

"The council places great value on the provision of a range of services aimed at encouraging our communities to get involved in sport and keep active. We are very proud to have worked with our partners to develop the CSN, and the external funding secured is greatly appreciated.

"This is a really exciting initiative for the district, and we hope to both extend the range of activities available to the community and to support more local clubs in improving their services," he said.

Jim Clarke, regional director of Sport England South West, acknowledges the important role Community Sport Networks play in the delivery of sport at the local level:

"The new West Wiltshire Community Sport Network provides the district with the infrastructure to develop and implement activities and sporting programmes that will benefit the community and increase opportunities for people at all levels to participate.

"Our vision for grassroots sport in this country is clear - we want to ensure all young people have the opportunity to play sport both within and beyond the school gates, and we want to encourage people of all ages to get out and participate in sport. Community Sports Networks (CSNs) are instrumental in making this happen, and I want to thank all the partners involved for their efforts.

The partners involved in the West Wiltshire Community Sport Network include the District Council, Local Strategic Partnership, DC Leisure Management Ltd, Sport England, School Sports Partnership, and the local voluntary sport sector.

The funding will support the delivery of a two-year action plan that will see the implementation of sports projects to promote and encourage physical activity and active recreation in the district, including:

Summer 2008

• Providing a free swimming pass for every child under 8 years of age

• Developing two new Ultimate Frisbee squads

• Providing the FIA Go Programme at Warminster Sports Centre, aimed at 15/16 year old girls

• Employing a skate coach to support sessions within May half term

• Organising the Special Olympics for Special Educational Needs schools

• Implementing further discounted rates for parents and carers and developing a multi-sport club in Trowbridge

• Providing the West Wiltshire Fun in the Sun programme for rural and isolated communities

• Hosting alternative sport events, including one at Christie Miller Sports Centre and at Westbury's new skatepark at Penleigh

Autumn 2008

• Delivering Thai Chi/Chi Kung classes in local sports centres and venues

• Extending existing sports sessions at Castle Place Leisure Centre and other local venues

• Holding coach development training courses aimed at developing coaches and sporting volunteers

• Supporting local sports club to increase membership levels

• Hosting workshops to support clubs working towards Club Accreditation

• Providing specific training on inclusion and disability for existing coaches and teachers

• Producing an annual directory for leisure and sport development