Jersey Sport, an independent organisation, has launched its Vote for Sport and Active Living campaign. The campaign asks candidates to ensure that sport plays a major part in government policy and that adequate funding is available for future projects.
Several Jersey sports stars have backed the campaign, while Lord Coe, who chaired the organising committee of the London 2012 Olympics, has shown his support after being told about the scheme by Jersey officials at the Commonwealth Games earlier this month. The campaign has also received support from Mind Jersey and the Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey.
Candidates will next week be asked to sign a pledge board, committing to support investment in sport and active living, should they be elected. Jersey Sport will then list on its website those candidates who have signed.
Phil Austin, chairman of the Jersey Sport board, said: ‘It is vital for the future of the Island that encouraging and facilitating physical activity now becomes a key priority of the new government, and we hope Islanders challenge candidates on this over the coming weeks.’
The candidates have already had a tough time trying to please the Island’s various sectors with Senatorial candidates being grilled by both the agriculture and business communities at separate hustings. A cross-section of hopefuls also appeared at a Construction Council event earlier this week.
James Le Feuvre, executive director of Mind Jersey, said: ‘The importance of securing good levels of physical activity and fitness are increasingly recognised as important features in maintaining an overall sense of well-being and good mental health.
‘Addressing the increased prevalence of loneliness and isolation is also important and taking part in communal activities, especially if they promote fitness, can be of great benefit.
‘Jersey has a great environment and there is real potential to harness this in encouraging people to get active and get involved.’
Banners displaying the #voteforsport are being put up around the Island while Jersey Sport officials are also asking Islanders to make their voices heard on the issue in the build-up to the election.
‘We fully support this push to make sure sport and physical activity is in the spotlight in the build up to polling day,’ Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey president Paul du Feu added.
‘We need Jersey to have a well-structured and planned government-backed sports programme in order for the Island to produce elite performance athletes. This in turn will be good for everyone.’
