SPARC Releases Statement of Intent

SPARC's (Sport and Recreation New Zealand) Statement of Intent 2003/04 has been tabled in Parliament. The Statement of Intent details SPARC's key initiatives and investment for the sport and recreation sector for the coming year.

Nicholas Hill, CEO of SPARC says "the May budget announced a significant $13M per annum increase in funding for sport and recreation. This additional funding is reflected in the Statement of Intent and has allowed us to build on our mission and vision in 2003/2004."

"The additional funding has been allocated across SPARC's three goals: to be the most active nation, to have effective sport and recreation systems and consistently win in events that matter to New Zealanders. This is a very broad mandate and we have ensured the additional funding goes toward achieving all three goals."

The Government has honoured its commitment to increase the funding provided and SPARC has developed some key initiatives to ensure the additional funds benefit the entire sport and recreation sector, says Hill." Initiatives include:

Push Play

A national physical activity campaign is essential for New Zealand. Research shows one in three New Zealanders is not active enough leading to obesity and the growing incidence of associated diseases. Over the next 12 months SPARC will * Develop and implement an "Active Schools' policy, including tripling the investment in secondary school sport and physical activity coordinators over the next three years; * Invest $10M over three years to promote active communities projects with local government; * Invigorate and expand the "Push Play 30 Minutes a Day" message; and work with the Ministry of Health and DHBNZ as well as key regional organisations on public health physical activity strategies.

Coaching

SPARC will spend at least $3.5 million over the next three years implementing a new coaching strategy that has been developed in consultation with national and regional sporting organisations over the last 6 months.

Regional Delivery

Creating rewarding opportunities for New Zealanders to participate in sport and physical activity within their local communities is critical. For this to happen we need to have partnerships between the organisations that provide those opportunities - territorial authorities, regional sports trusts (RSTs), national and regional sports organisations, sports clubs, schools and physical activity providers. SPARC will develop a new funding model for RSTs, and is committing to increase RST funding by another $2 million a year from 30 June next year. SPARC will also provide assistance through local councils for isolated communities.

Development Support

Sport and recreation organisations have identified governance, leadership and management generally as requiring support from SPARC. Resources, information and funding will be available from SPARC to assist organisations improve their impact and performance.

High Performance

The New Zealand Academy of Sport is SPARC's high performance network. Succeeding on the international arena is a key goal of SPARC. The Academy will continue to support the high performance programmes of performance sports. Key areas of focus for the next 12 months include supplementing the campaigns of athletes with medal potential in Athens 2004 and investing in sports that have the potential to win multiple medals in Melbourne 2006. A further $5 million per annum is being invested in sport high performance programmes.

© Scoop Media