Two years have passed since we last updated our Action Plan and once again there have been some big changes since we published our last update in January 2022.
The island is pretty much back to ‘business as usual’ following the disruption of the Covid pandemic but we are still living with the legacy of lockdowns; more children starting school with poor motor skills, difficulty attracting teenagers back to sporting activities and reduced funding from some of our private sponsors.
The past two years have also been particularly challenging for the island’s overall financial position. States Committee budgets have been squeezed and uncertainty about continued government funding for some of our workstreams has made life difficult.
We are pleased to have secured another year of funding to support the workstreams which form part of the Active 8 Plan for Sport, albeit at a reduced level. This has meant we have had to reprioritise our work focusing on the areas where we believe we will have the most impact. We will be working hard to secure ongoing sustainable funding to support Active 8 beyond 2024.
This latest update of our Action Plan sets out our operational priorities linked to the objectives of Active 8 and shows how we are helping to deliver the core aims of the Government Work Plan, specifically 'Supporting Healthy Living'.
We have the right expertise, leadership, and governance to continue to deliver these objectives on behalf of the States of Guernsey. As a commissioned service, we are able to do so efficiently, effectively, and economically.
The Commission has and always will continue to rely on private sponsorship to be able to deliver all our services. It is a constant battle in the current financial climate to achieve the levels of funding we need and our Commissioners and Trustees work hard to ensure we maintain high levels of private support.
Although our levels of funding may have changed, what hasn’t changed is our role to lead, represent and be a voice for sport in Guernsey.
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.
The evidence is overwhelming that moving our bodies – through community sport, fitness, and physical activity – improves our lives, individually and collectively.
Our mission is to invest in sport to make it a normal part of life for everyone in Guernsey, regardless of who you are.
We believe that the Guernsey Sports Commission can help shape Guernsey’s long-term-prosperity, well beyond sporting boundaries.
This update of our Action Plan outlines some of the key actions and activities we are planning to undertake over the next two years. This Plan remains a live document and will be updated on a regular basis.
You can access the full 2024 Action Plan update here