Sport Action Zones
What is a Sport Action Zone?
Sport Action Zones were
developed by Sport England and the Department for Culture, Media
and Sport as a direct response to the Governments PAT 10 report
(Sport and Arts) which clearly identified that sport could play a
significant role in supporting the benefits of sport and the
reduction of social exclusion within communities.
Sport Action Zones were a proactive
initiative to create an effective, sustainable sporting
infrastructure in areas of high social and economic
deprivation.
Contributing factors for Sport Action Zones are
low levels of lottery investment, low sporting capacity and that
many wards are in the top 20% Index of Multiple Deprivation 2000
index.
Sport Action Zone - West Cumbria and Barrow
West Cumbria and Barrow was one of the first
twelve Sport Action Zones awarded Sport Action Zone statue in 2000
and consisted of three Districts - Allerdale, Barrow and Copeland
and it concluded at the end of August 2005.
In total Sport Action Zone West Cumbria and
Barrow was awarded £1.2 million pounds over 5 years which was
spent on projects around 5 key National themes:
- Education/Lifelong Learning
- Health
- Social Inclusion
- Community Safety
- Regeneration
- And also included Sport and Young
People which emerged as a local priority.
By working with local, regional and
national partners and developing effective ways of working
together, the Sports Action Zone demonstrated that
physical recreation and sport can contribute towards the
improvement of the above components.
Sport Action Zone Projects
Some of the Sport Action Zone funded/part funded projects
that took place in Allerdale were:
- Maryport Sports Equipment in
Outreach Areas
- Workington Active in Cumbria 'On-Side' Football
in the Community project
- Community Sports Development Worker placed in
Workington for 3 years
- Maryport and surrounding area's Walking your Way
to Health Scheme
However, there are some projects funding by the
Sports Action Zone that still running at present:
- Active in Cumbria website
The active in Cumbria Website was set up for
public use as a physical activity and sport directory but
today it is so much more!
This interactive site provides
information on a wide range of opportunities for physical activity
and sport across Cumbria with details of
a number of clubs including contact details, training times and
membership cost. It also has information on local events, funding
sources, volunteering opportunities and local physical activity
projects. To take a look go to www.activeincumbria.co.uk.
- Allerdale Community Sports Chest Grants
Money from the Sports Action Zone pot is
distributed directly to clubs in Allerdale to develop sports in the
community and to help provide sport and recreation opportunities
for the local people.
Applications can be up to £500 and can be used
for:
- coaching and training costs
- equipment
- expanding age groups
- national competitions
- recruitment events
Some of the successful applicants are Aspatria
Rugby Junior Club Silloth Football Association Workington Cricket
Club Maryport ARLFC Workington Sea Cadet Corps Keswick Athletics
Club All Saints School Association Seaton Rugby League Club's Youth
Section Seaton Village Football Club.
- Community Sports Coaches
Community Sports Coaches were introduced in
2005 with the help of SAZ money. The objective of this scheme
is to increase the number of coaching opportunities at a local
level.
There are currently 3 Community Sports Coaches active in
Allerdale in Hockey, Gymnastics and Tennis with a fourth in Rugby
Union on the way.
They have been working in school PE lessons and helping to
create after school clubs as well as being involved in a community
environment, setting up clubs and providing coaching camps within
the holidays.
If you would like any more information on the community sports
coach scheme please contact your local Sports Development
Officer.
- Cycling for Health
Money from the SAZ project has been used to help create a new
post for a Cycling For Health Officer, the aim of which is to
address health inequalities and promote an active lifestyle through
cycling schemes in the North Cumbria area.