GSC launches 5 year Action plan

The Guernsey Sports Commission has published an ambitious Plan to help develop, improve and encourage access to sport over the next five years.

The Plan was launched at the Sporting Achievement Awards on 9^th January.

‘I am delighted that we are now in a position to share our aims and objectives for the future,’ said Jon Ravenscroft, Chairman of the Commission.

‘The Guernsey Sports Commission exists to encourage thousands of people across the islands to be more active and support those who have the talent to excel. Our Action Plan sets out how we are going to achieve this.’

The Plan outlines eight key workstreams covering all areas of the Commission’s activities including:

• Leadership and Governance
• Inclusion
• School Physical Activity and Sport Partnership
• Community Sports
• Workforce Development
• Guernsey Institute of Sport
• Facilities
• Grants and Funding

Work has already begun with the Commission making progress in each of these eight areas

‘Our role is to lead, represent and be a voice for sport in Guernsey and we are looking forward to sharing our Action Plan with the wider sports community,’ said Graham Chester, Operations Director of the Guernsey Sports Commission.

‘We believe that everyone in Guernsey should have the opportunity and support to participate and compete, and fulfil their potential no matter what their background, age, or level of ability in a safe and supportive environment.

‘It seems particularly apt to be launching our Action Plan as we celebrate the achievements of our home-grown sporting stars at our Awards night.

‘But we can’t do this on our own. If we are to be successful in delivering our eight core workstreams we must work together with others including the States of Guernsey, sports clubs and organisations, schools and the wider community,’ said Graham.

‘The establishment of a Guernsey Institute of Sport will help support our athletes to continually improve performance through the expert delivery of science, medicine and technology. We can’t just assume that we will continue to produce such high-performing sports people without further investment. I believe this is a really exciting time for sport in Guernsey,’ said Graham.

The Five-Year Plan isn’t just about high-performance sport and also focuses on many other areas of sports and activity including continuing to work towards providing a world-leading experience of physical activity, education and sport for school aged children and young people. Sports clubs and organisations will also be supported to work towards a new quality assurance measure known as Guernsey Sportsmark.

‘It is a privilege for me to be the chair as the Guernsey Sports Commission looks to the future and lays out its plans,’ said Jon.

‘I want to thank each and every member of the team for their unwavering support and commitment; with this dedication, energy and enthusiasm, we can ensure that more and more islanders have increasing access to sport and all of the pleasure and benefits it brings.’

The President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture has welcomed the publication of the Sports Commission’s Action Plan.

‘Over the past 18 months I have had the opportunity to see first-hand the work the Sports Commission delivers on behalf of the Island. This Action Plan sets out a series of clear priorities that will support our local sporting organisations to further enhance their excellent contribution to our community,’ said Deputy Matt Fallaize.

‘The Guernsey Sports Commission’s Action Plan will sit alongside the island’s first sports strategy which my Committee will be submitting to the States in the next few weeks.’

A copy of the Guernsey Sports Commission’s Five Year Plan can be found at www.guernseysports.com/our-action-plan following the launch.