Sports Development and Physical Activity

Wells High School lunchtime basketball club

Young People

With the Government's drive to encourage more physical activity and a target of 70% of the population exercising 5 times each week for 30 minutes by the year 2020 as written in 'Game Plan' (a strategy for delivering Government's sport and physical activity objectives), North Norfolk District Council recognises that fact and to achieve that in the future then we need to look at our future population, and that is young people. Therefore the current main area of focus is on engaging young people in sport and exercise. This is done in many ways, through schools, local clubs and national statutory agencies.

Older People

As part of the "On The Road To Wellbeing" project, older people are targeted in an attempt to increase physical activity within the community. The aim is to take the facility to those "hard to reach" communities and settlements and increase their awareness of the benefits of physical activity. Activities will be offered on the mobile unit (gym, Pilates, Tai Chi, Capoeira, etc), and in the longer term signposted to other facilities where they can continue with their healthier lifestyle.

Cardic Wellness

A Cardia Rehabilitation self help group entitled "North Norfolk Cardio Actives" have been one of the first users of the mobile gym. The group which provides support for people that have Coronary Heart Disease, has been participating in a Tai Chi class based at the Council offices in Cromer. This class has been very successful, with good regular attendance, and feedback from the users has been extremely encouraging.

Active Norfolk

Active Norfolk, launched on 1st November 2006, is one of the County Sports Partnerships created by Sport England and tasked with increasing the levels of participation in sport and physical activity across the county.

Its role is to provide a coherent and structured approach to the development of sport and physical activity in Norfolk through a strong and integrated partnership. The partnership involves all those involved in sport and physical activity but, principally, the local authorities, School Sports Partnerships and the National Governing Bodies of Sport.

Its mission is to make Norfolk an active, healthy and successful sporting county - and to have FUN doing it!

More details at: www.activenorfolk.org

Club Development

The Council's Physical activity unit in conjunction with Active Norfolk aims to provide support and advice to clubs throughout the district. One element of that support is enabling clubs to achieve the Clubmark award. Clubmark is an accreditation scheme to recognice those clubs that are operating to standards recognised by Sport England and/or their Governing Body. One such club is Sheringham Cricket Club who recently received their award at the "2nd Annual Recognition Evening" held at Dunston Hall Norwich.

Active Norfolk Youth Games

This event is an "Active Norfolk" initiative and is part funded via North Norfolk District Council entitled The Active Norfolk Youth Games. It aims to get more children with disabilities active in sport and ultimately feed them into appropriate clubs following the event.

Awards for All

For sports clubs/groups that wish to access further funding for any new project there is a small grants scheme of lottery funding available that can resource up to £10,000. While the local authority themselves cannot apply for the money, the District Council Sports unit is at hand to offer guidance to give the club the best possible chance of a successful bid. So far NNDC has helped over 20 local clubs achieve over £150,000 in funding that it would not have normally had.

One project that was successful is an athletics scheme in and around the Stalham area. It involved four Schools including Primary, Middle and High Schools. Funding of over £12,000 was awarded to the scheme to buy athletics equipment, hire facilities, hire transport and pay for qualified coaching.

If you are involved in a club or group that feel could benefit from an Awards for All grant, then contact the Leisure and Cultural Services section on 01263 513811.