Sports Development
Sports Development have adopted the Council of Europe definition of sport which was revised in 2001:
"Sport" means all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels.
The development of sport in the borough is undertaken by a partnership of statutory and voluntary agencies. Sport is provided locally on an ongoing basis within education and in the wider community.
Within education sport is developed by schools in partnership with the Blackburn with Darwen School Sports Partnership.
Within the wider community sport is provided by a dedicated volunteer workforce who run clubs, leagues and provide opportunities for sport throughout the year.
Sports Development and other partnership agencies like Lancashire Sport, provide development support in the wider context through club development, volunteer development and recognition, club links to schools, funding advice & advocacy such as supporting funding bids.
The section also provides focused support to five development sports. These are:
- Athletics.
- Bowls.
- Cricket.
- Football.
- Swimming.
With the exception of swimming, each development sport has a development group that steers initiatives forward through to delivery. Groups are usually made up of representatives from local clubs, leagues and are usually supported by regional governing body officers.
Sports Development provide key support to the five focus sports and the four development groups through work programmes, the Community Coaches programme, Sporting Workforce Development and Volunteering in Sport Schemes.
For more information about any of the groups above contact - sportsdevelopmentblackburn.gov.uk
