Have Your Say On Local Sport Improvements

Published on: 23 Jul, 2015
Updated on: 27 Jul, 2015

What do you think about Guildford’s sports facilities? Guildford Borough Council have developed a draft “Sport Development Strategy” and are urging Guildford Borough residents and local sports facility users to take part in their online survey.The survey asks for thoughts about the sports provision in Guildford and what would make people re-engage or increase their current participation in sporting activity.

This strategy aims to raise the profile of sport across the borough during the next five years, to improve the health of our community, widen access to quality sports provision and support our clubs, coaches and local athletes.

Cllr Iseult Roche (Con, Worplesdon), lead councillor for community health and sport, says: “Promoting sport and the importance of leading an active life is important for both physical and emotional good health. Participation in sport brings valuable health and lifestyle benefits to all our community.

Cllr Iseult Roche, Lead councillor for community health and sport

“Surrey is the third most active county in England, however I believe we could achieve more in our borough and ensuring participation among all residents regardless of age or ability is very important.

“This strategy, in partnership with local organisations, will help those who are less active and improve the health of our community through sport. “We also intend to support our clubs, coaches, volunteers and local athletes with help from key partners. I encourage residents and local sports facility users to participate in our online survey and help shape our final strategy.”

In the draft strategy there are three main priorities to:
• target those who are less active through informal sport
• encourage those who are already participating to increase the regularity of their sporting habit
• improve the quality of our clubs, coaches and volunteers.

The Sports Development Strategy will work together with Guildford’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy to promote informal and social sport opportunities to encourage our community to get active.

Working in partnership with the community and stakeholders to deliver on targets, the action plan will be reviewed every year to ensure the strategy continues to address local need.

The survey which is open until August 21 2015 takes less than five minutes to complete and there is a chance to win a month’s free membership to Guildford Spectrum worth up to £50.

For more information on sport in the borough and to request a printed copy of the survey or request it in an alternative format, please contact GBC by emailing sportsdevelopment@guildford.gov.uk or calling 01483 444766.