A national first - Sport Cheshire to deliver local authority sport development services

Added on: 3rd November 2011

We are delighted to have been awarded a 4 year contract by Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC) to deliver innovative and new sport development services on behalf of the Local Authority. CWAC's sports development's staff and budgets have now been transferred across to help us create a pioneering local community sport system.

The aim is offer support to local clubs, coaches and volunteers and work with local partners to deliver a range of outreach programmes to inspire locals to get fit and active.

"This partnership is an indication of the Council's continuing commitment to sport and the benefits of keeping our residents fit and active," said Councillor Stuart Parker, Executive Member for the authority's Culture and Recreation. "We will be required to increase levels of participation by adults, children and young people and improve the standard of coaches and volunteers" said

Our chairman, David Newton explains that "We will be working to ensure that Cheshire West residents benefit from national and regional sporting initiatives and programmes."

Mike Diaper, Sport England's Executive Director of Youth and Communities, said: "The partnership arrangement between Sport Cheshire and Cheshire West and Chester Council is the first of its kind nationally. It represents a more cost efficient approach to delivering sport development at a local level. We hope that the partnership proves to be beneficial for both parties and results in more people in the area regularly participating in high quality sport."

Despite considerable financial investment sport participation levels in England have, at best, been flat lining. We want to buck that trend in West Cheshire by offering more opportunities and making residents of all ages aware of those opportunities and how to access them. We will provide regular updates to keep you posted on our progress.