Active Bradford Strategy Launched
Published on: 7th October 2011
A new five-year sports strategy aims to increase the number of people in the district being physically active.
The Bradford Community Sports Network has been developing the plan over the last year and Bradford Council is a key partner in its delivery.
Its broad ambitions are for people to be active, healthy and successful, with a focus on five themes. These are: PE and sport for young people; adult participation; active living; sporting pathways; and sport and the economy.
The strategy also highlights recent events which have increased participation in sport, including the Bradford City Run, which attracted more than 1,000 runners, and the Skyride cycling event, which saw 5,000 participating.
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/local/localbrad/
9220506.Five_year_sports_strategy_planned_for_Bradford/
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The Bradford City Run on Sunday 2nd October was a fitting occasion for the official launch of the Active Bradford Sport and Physical Activity Strategy 2011-2015, writes John Dennis, Chair of Bradford CSN.
The strategy is the result of many hours of commitment, expertise and input from all of the key sporting partners in the district and beyond, brought together under the auspices of the Community Sports Network (CSN). The partnership includes Bradford Council, Bradford Bulls, Bradford City, Bradford College, the University of Bradford, Keighley Cougars, Bradford's Local Sports Alliances, Bradford's Health Sector, Bradford's Education Sector, West Yorkshire Sport and Sport England.
All of the partners in the CSN are committed to making Bradford District a brilliant place for sport and physical activity, and all have adopted and endorsed the strategy. In several instances there is brilliance already, and many aspects of the strategy are underway - the City Run itself being but one excellent example of what's happening right across the district. With less than a year to go before the historic opportunity provided by the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Bradford does not intend to stand still!!
The strategy provides the essential framework and cohesive vision that will provide the space and opportunity for a diverse range of partners to continue to work together to make things even better, so that the post-2012 legacy in Bradford and District is truly world-class for everyone.
Like no other area, sport and active leisure has the power to bring people together, to help all types of people rise to a challenge, to raise money for charity, to provide a sense of self-worth, achievement and esteem, to provide training and employment, to encourage excellence and self-discipline, to promote teamwork and mutual enjoyment and to create friendships and social networks. The great thing is that it's also a lot of fun and we in Bradford are able to do it in a setting that is second to no other in the world!
The by-products are a healthier community, better economy, stronger communities and, crucially, a fantastic image for Bradford of dynamism, life, health, colour, fun and diversity.
This is an excellent and vital strategy for Bradford and District. In the words of the key strategy sections: "On your marks......Get Set......Go!!".
