‘On the right track’

Jersey Sport has seen progress following their criticism of the funding for sport and the political understanding of the organisation Picture: ROB CURRIE (34993395)

THE head of Jersey Sport says ‘excellent development’ has been made since she criticised upcoming government funding for sport – and political understanding of the organisation’s role.

Catriona McAllister wrote to the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel in November, while they were conducting a review of the Government Plan, to highlight her concerns regarding financial backing for sporting initiatives, including the Inspiring an Active Jersey [IAJ] strategy.

She said that planning and policy-making for sport and physical activity is ‘almost non-existent’ and suggested that politicians’ knowledge of the IAJ – a plan to invest £100 million over ten years to increase physical activity by 10% by 2030 – was lacking.

But McAllister has since praised the efforts of the Economic Department’s assistant minister for sport, Deputy Lucy Stephenson, in raising awareness among her colleagues.

‘I must stress that there has been excellent development since we wrote that [scrutiny submission], particularly around the comments made about a need for better understanding and the Assembly understanding the value of sport,’ said McAllister.

‘The assistant minister has really gone out of her way to show her support, and we now want to support her to make sure her colleagues have more awareness of sport and how it can help the government with its priorities for change. If we can do that then whether we receive funding or not becomes an easier discussion.’

Within the submission, McAllister stressed that the IAJ strategy ‘cannot be delivered’ with current levels of funding and that Jersey Sport’s services – which include the delivery of school PE and swimming lessons and GP referral – may need to be cut if increases to their £2.1m annual grant are not made.

Just £1.3million has been allocated to the Inspiring Active Places strategy for sports facilities within the 2023-26 Government Plan – effectively ending any hope of meaningful progress on the proposed Le Rocquier eastern sports hub development until at least 2024.

‘The funding issue hasn’t gone away and we don’t have inflation on our grant,’ McAllister added. ‘There is pressure across the board and we need to work with the government to look at other sources of funding which will make sure we’re able to sustain and increase what we do in the sector.

‘In terms of the ministerial plans, one of the plans is to look at sports facilities. It doesn’t have massive amounts of funding – there is more of a slowing-down process – but there is still a commitment there to review what is required. That’s positive and I have got meetings with key ministers this week about facilities. It is still moving and there is absolute support from them … it just needs a new focus [and] we just haven’t worked out how it will be funded.’

However, funding for an overhaul of the facilities at Oakfield Sports Centre – £5m this year as part of the Fort Regent decant project – is secured, while the renovation of Springfield is ‘nearing completion.’

McAllister said: ‘The government have just invested over £3m on Springfield – on the stadium and internally – and has and is about to invest significant funds in Oakfield. That is the biggest investment for sport in a long time and they are a phenomenal extra resource for the Island.

‘It is still progressing, just not at the pace we would have hoped.’

Inspiring Active Places Strategy

Suggested timeline March 2021

Deliver alternative facilities at Springfield and Oakfield Q1 2022Decant sport from Fort Regent Q2 2022Development period at Fort Regent 2022-2027Design and deliver Le Rocquier hub 2021-2024Design and deliver Island stadium 2022-2026Deliver improved community park at Springfield 2025-2028Design and deliver St Helier hub 2027-2030Design and deliver Les Quennevais hub 2029-2032

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