Sports and Active Recreation in Perthshire
Perth and Kinross Council outlines a very clear commitment to sport and active recreation in its corporate plan where it undertakes, in partnership with others to:
Promote initiatives that improve people's physical health and increase participation in sports and active recreation for all age groups The Council leads a sport and active recreation forum which takes this area forward and is responsible for the advocacy and promotion of sports and active recreation through a wide range of partners and stakeholders.
The Council's sports development team is a key element and driver of that commitment and is based within Education and Children's Services along with a team of Culture and Community Services colleague.
Sports development is the promotion and implementation of positive change in sports provision and is based on the idea that equal opportunity requires unequal effort. Sports development is about encouraging people into sport providing access opportunities to do this and then encouraging them to stay there. There is a place for everyone in sport and our role is to spread that message and provide the infrastructure and opportunities so that everyone can take their place.
The Sports Development team provide a wide range of services, programmes and initiatives to achieve this, and although we have a primary focus on 10 sports, we also provide support and advice to a much wider range of sports and individuals.
Examples of what we do are linked to this page but to give some kind of indication where we can help you, here is a summary:
1. We work in partnership with others to develop pathways structures for participation and development so that everyone can progress to the level they wish in sport. Of note is the partnership that we have with Angus, Dundee and Fife to ensure that these pathways extend outwith our boundaries up to national levels.
2. We provide a wide range of school vacation specialist programmes for introductory and developmental opportunities to school aged children.
3. We also provide a range of other opportunities for participation and development outwith the school vacations for adults and children.
4. We support our top and aspiring sports performers in a number of ways to ensure that they can be the best they can be.
5. We work with and advice the local Sports Council to provide advice, support and grant assistance to clubs and individuals in support of their involvement in sport.
6. We run coaching qualification and development courses and schemes aimed at increasing the number and quality of coaches and coaching opportunities across the district.
7. We are responsible for the provision and overall management of outdoor education and outdoor activities which includes the management of two outdoor centres.
