Sport England in the North West
March 2004 Information Update
CONTENTS

KEY NEWS
-	ENGAGE WITH THE NORTH WEST PLAN FOR SPORT – closing date MARCH 31ST
-	COMMUNITIES GET ACTIVE
-	SPORT RELIEF: GO THE EXTRA MILE

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT 
Sport & lifelong learning 
-	UNIVERSITIES PRAISED IN NEW REPORTS
-	PLAYING FOR SUCCESS
-	EUROPEAN YEAR OF EDUCATION THROUGH SPORT
-	START CLEAN PROGRAMME
-	DCMS REVIEW OF CHILDREN'S PLAY
-	CLUB LINKS PROGRAMME EXPANSION TO 22 SPORTS
-	MORE SPECIALIST SPORTS COLLEGES FOR THE NORTH WEST
-	ACTIVITY A WINNER FOR NORTH WEST SCHOOLS
-	PARTNERSHIPS PUT SCHOOL SPORT IN NEW LEAGUE
-	HIGH QUALITY PE AND SCHOOL SPORT
-	SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE/ VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR IN CONNEXIONS
Sporting infrastructure
-	NATIONAL COACHING CERTIFICATE
-	SWIMMING CHARTER
-	UK SPORT - EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY STRATEGY
-	IFI LATEST NEWSLETTER
Sport & community safety
-	JOINING UP COMMUNITY COHESION AND REGENERATION
-	TACKLING SOCIAL EXCLUSION

Sport & health
-	NATIONAL OBESITY CONFERENCE, LIVERPOOL
-	WANLESS REPORT
-	GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON PUBLIC HEALTH
-	NORTH WEST HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FORUM
-	‘MAKING THE CASE’: IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN MID-LIFE AND BEYOND
 	Sport & the environment
-	RURAL WHITE PAPER REVIEW
-	REVIEW OF RURAL FUNDING STREAMS
-	RURAL YOUTH NETWORK
-	SCHOOL TRAVEL
-	LOCAL AUTHORITY CYCLING GRANT TOOLKIT
-	LIVING PLACES: CARING FOR QUALITY
-	NORTH WEST SPORT BOOSTED BY £30M OF PLANNED INVESTMENT

INFORMATION UPDATE
-	SPORT ENGLAND LAUNCHES CONTACT CENTRE
-	WWW.SPORTENGLAND.ORG
-	REGIONAL REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN
-	MAKING IT HAPPEN: THE NORTHERN WAY
-	LIVEABILITY AND CULTURE AND LEISURE SERVICES – GOOD PRACTICE
-	DCMS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2004
-	NEW GROUP TO ENSURE UK BENEFITS FROM LONDON BID
-	GAMES LEGACY WEBSITE
-	EUROPEAN LEVELS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
-	REGIONAL TRAINING UNIT FOR SPORT NORTH WEST CLOSURE
-	DANCE NETWORK DELIVERS

 - KEY NEWS -

ENGAGE WITH THE NORTH WEST PLAN FOR SPORT

The North West Regional Plan for Sport 2004-2008
Consultation period ends: March 31st 2004

There are just a few days left to have your say in how we shape the future of sport in the North West. Please visit our website to view the plan and download the Consultation Feedback Form.

General comments can be sent to consultnorthwest@sportengland.org and should reach us by the close of the Consultation process, March 31st 2004.

Your input into the plan is vital so please have your say and help us develop a regional plan for sport, which establishes the value of sport firmly in the heart of the North West.

The Plan can be accessed at: http://www.sportengland.org/about/regions/northwest.shtml

COMMUNITIES GET ACTIVE

Three North West communities will be among the first in England to benefit from the opportunity to get more active, thanks to a cash boost of just over £2 million announced recently. The three schemes which have been successful under the solicited process of the Active England Programme are:

o	In Bolton, local people will have the chance to get active with a range of new sport and physical activities on offer thanks to a grant of £993,002 which will contribute to the development of a community sports club in Lever Hulme Park. 

o	People in Knowsley will have wider access to the range of activities on offer at Tower Hill Community Centre. Knowsley Borough Council will use a grant of £470,000 to develop spaces for physical activity and sport as part of a major redevelopment including health, culture and education providers in developing a multi-use community facility. 

o	The Dingle in Liverpool, which is part of the Sport Action Zone, will receive £595,514 to create a new multi-sport facility at an existing site in Liverpool. The planned facility will give local people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to get involved in an increased range of sport and physical activities.

The Active England fund seeks to create and support sustainable innovative multi-activity environments in areas of social, sport and health deprivation in England by 2005 and to increase participation in sport and physical activity among all the sections of society, but particularly those which are typically under-represented in sport and physical activity participation. Initial Bid Forms must reach us by the closing date of March 31st 2004.

Guidance and application details are available from: http://www.sportengland.org/funding/fund_news.shtml 

SPORT RELIEF: GO THE EXTRA MILE

The BBC Sport Relief campaign is being held on this year on 10th July and is a fun way of bringing sport and charitable giving together.  We're looking for volunteers from clubs and organisations who would like to be regional organisers of ‘Go the Extra Mile’ events, helping Sport Relief to set a world record of people covering a mile on the big day. This will be a great opportunity for clubs to raise some money for a good cause; increase the profile of their organisation through the massive media interest; and, have some fun !

If you are interested in hosting an event, please contact steve.bunyan@sportengland.org for a Briefing Pack and Application Form.

- SPORTS DEVELOPMENT - 

Sport & lifelong learning

UNIVERSITIES PRAISED IN NEW REPORTS

Universities and colleges have been praised for their investment in sport and sporting facilities in two new reports.  ‘Higher Education and Sport in England’, by Sport England and ‘Participating and Performing: sport and higher education in the UK’, by Universities UK have recognised good practice in the development of sport and providing sporting opportunities for students, elite athletes and people in local communities.

The reports reveal that universities in England are investing £73 million annually in sport and sporting facilities – the equivalent to £44 per student every year.  There are some concerns outlined in the Sport England report over public perceptions that university facilities are not open for community use, but the evidence shows that they are actually open to the public for more than 70 per cent of the time.

To download the report, and for further info click on:
http://www.sportengland.org/news/press_releases/universities-praised.shtml 

PLAYING FOR SUCCESS

The Government has recently released the 2003 Playing for Success Annual Yearbook highlighting its achievements. A long list of sports stars including Jonny Wilkinson praise the scheme which uses sport to improve young people’s literacy, numeracy and computer skills. The latest research shows that Playing for Success can raise primary pupils’ numeracy by 17 months, and secondary pupils’ by two years. Reading comprehension can also be increased by up to eight months. 

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2003_0256 

EUROPEAN YEAR OF EDUCATION THROUGH SPORT (EYES)

The European Year of Education through Sport began on 1 January 2004. Over 12 months, in 28 countries, the European Union will be encouraging the promotion of the educational values of sport and reinforcing the links between the worlds of sport and education, demonstrating that, in addition to passion and competition, sport conveys civic values that contribute to a better education. The slogan (“Move your body, stretch your mind”) and logo will be highlighted at almost 200 events. The official website has been launched and can be found at http://www.eyes-2004.info/ 

START CLEAN PROGRAMME 

UK Sport is one of the early beneficiaries following the UK launch of the European Year of Education through Sport, having been granted European Commission funding for its ‘Start Clean’ programme which aims to encourage healthy lifestyles and participation in sport among 12-18 year-olds through drug-free sport related activities. 
                                                                                
Start Clean will be officially rolled out in the summer at a series of ‘roadshows’ to be hosted by major school sports events across the UK. In the meantime, an online education programme will be developed on drug-free sport topics appropriate to the schools curriculum. Later in the year, a group of Drug-Free Sport Champions, which will include professional sportsmen and women, will deliver in-school workshops to complement and augment the online element.

http://www.uksport.gov.uk/template.asp?id=1707

DCMS REVIEW OF CHILDREN'S PLAY 

This DCMS report sets out how best to invest the £200 million from the New Opportunities Fund for improving children's play opportunities. It looks at the needs of children and young people aged 0-16. While the review process covered the whole of the UK, the report's conclusions and recommendations are specific to England. It is for the devolved administrations to draw upon the review as they think fit.

Publications area of DCMS website http://www.culture.gov.uk 

CLUB LINKS PROGRAMME EXPANSION TO 22 SPORTS

A further 15 sports are to join the Club Links Programme which helps develop the crucial links between schools and sports clubs and combat the 70% drop-out rate from sport amongst school leavers.

The key aim of the Programme is to help sport increase the proportion of young people moving from School Sport Partnerships to governing body-affiliated amateur sports clubs.

The 15 sports that are now joining the Club Links Programme are: Badminton, Basketball, Canoeing, Cycling, Golf, Judo, Hockey, Netball, Orienteering, Rowing, Rugby League, Sailing, Squash, Table Tennis and Volleyball.

They join seven sports that are already part of the Programme: Athletics, Cricket, Football, Gymnastics, Rugby Union, Swimming and Tennis.

DCMS Press Release February 2nd 2004 ‘From Playground To Club Ground – Making The Sporting Link’ http://www.culture.gov.uk

MORE SPECIALIST SPORTS COLLEGES FOR THE NORTH WEST

Four more schools in the region have been designated Specialist Sports College status, taking the total to 40 for the North West.

School							LEA
Palatine High School					Blackpool
Glenburn High School					Lancashire
St Theodore's Roman Catholic High School 		Burnley, Lancashire
Hartshead High School					Tameside

For further info click on:
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/specialistschools/news/?version=1 

ACTIVITY A WINNER FOR NORTH WEST SCHOOLS

A further 46 schools from across the region have been awarded a Sport England Activemark in recognition of their commitment and consistent efforts to keep their pupils active, in the latest round of results announced on the 1st March.

Activemark and Activemark Gold Awards are for all schools with primary aged pupils. More than 1500 schools in England are in the scheme already. 
Schools interested in Activemark accreditation may contact a free phone Helpline on 0800 169 2299.

To find out which schools have received an Activemark reward visit http://www.sportengland.org/downloads/activemark-cycle12-results.pdf

PARTNERSHIPS PUT SCHOOL SPORT IN NEW LEAGUE

More pupils are taking up PE and sport as a result of school sport partnerships, a new survey reveals. And nearly all the schools in the programme hold a sports day.
 
The partnerships, which are spearheading the government's strategy for PE and school sport, are groups of schools working together to increase sports opportunities for all school children. They already include 8,000 schools and the government aims to have 400 partnerships, covering the whole of England, in place by September 2006. 
 
The survey shows that 68% of pupils in schools that have been in a partnership for three years are spending at least two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport in and after school, rising to 90% at Key Stage 3. This compares to 52% for schools new to the programme.

A summary of the survey is available from http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/subjects/pe/penews/ 

HIGH QUALITY PE AND SCHOOL SPORT

The ‘high quality statement’ sets out the characteristics and impact of high quality PE and school sport.  This statement has been developed and new guidance is now available for schools and clubs.  High Quality PE and Sport for Young People is designed to help schools and clubs evaluate, and then set about improving, the quality PE and/or sport in schools and clubs.  It sets out what high quality PE and sport looks like and how schools can achieve it.

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/subjects/pe/nationalstrategy/nshighqualitype/

SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE/ VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR IN CONNEXIONS

Supporting Children and Young People Group (formerly CSNU) have published a new Strategy for Involving the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Connexions. This builds on existing achievements, feedback from Connexions Partnerships and other sources, and was developed in conjunction with the Connexions VCS Forum and the VCS 'Twins' Forum.
The Strategy, which will run to the middle of 2005, is built around 5 key themes: Representation; Infrastructure & Capacity Building; Communication; Quality & Success; Volunteering & Personal Development.
Within each theme there is a range of action at national, regional and local level including action to be carried out in partnership with the VCS.
A key aspect of the new document is the need for Connexions Partnerships to produce their own local strategies for involving the sector, and guidance on the contents of local strategies is included. Local strategies will need to be built around the requirements relating to the VCS which are contained in the recently published Requirements & Guidance for the Connexions Service. 
The Strategy can be downloaded from:
http://www.connexions.gov.uk/partnerships/publications/uploads/cp/Involving%20VCS%20in%20Connexions.PDF 

- Sporting infrastructure -   

NATIONAL COACHING CERTIFICATE

The revolution for sports coaching in the UK continues apace as 22 sports have been formally invited to be part of the first wave to implement the new National Coaching Certificate (NCC).
 
UK and Home Country governing bodies for six of the 22 have also been asked to act as trailblazers to test the new NCC system.  The six - athletics, cricket, rowing, rugby union, swimming and triathlon - would be fast-tracked so they could report back on how it is working and help to modify the process to ensure it works best.  These sports would be in a position to offer NCC qualifications during 2006.

DCMS Press Release February 4th 2004 ‘Fast-Track Future Outlined For New Coaching Qualification’ http://www.culture.gov.uk

SWIMMING CHARTER

On 22 December 2003, the Government published the Swimming Charter. The Charter provides advice for schools, sports and recreation departments within local authorities and local education authorities on how to work and plan effectively.  It also provides guidance on how to encourage more children to take part, and how to improve their health, well being and behaviour.

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/subjects/pe/ 

UK SPORT - EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY STRATEGY

UK Sport has made its Equality and Diversity Strategy available to partner organisations and the wider sporting community. The Strategy commits the organisation to eliminating prejudice, unlawful discrimination and promoting equality for employees, sports women and men, and its partners. The strategy can be found at http://www.uksport.gov.uk/generic_template.asp?id=12204 

IFI LATEST NEWSLETTER

Inclusive Fitness Initiative has produced their latest newsletter, a new version that is now web based.  To access the newsletter, and more further info about the IFI click on:

http://www.inclusivefitness.org/newsletter/index.php

- Sport & the community safety -   

JOINING UP COMMUNITY COHESION AND REGENERATION

New advice has recently been published from the Home Office/ODPM for local authorities, Government Departments and Government Offices, Regional Development Agencies and other agencies on how to build community cohesion principles into Area Based Initiatives (ABIs) - central government initiatives that are targeted at specific geographical areas.  For further info click on:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs2/abi_advice.pdf 

TACKLING SOCIAL EXCLUSION

This discussion paper, by the Social Exclusion Unit, shows that in six and a half years the government has halted and even begun to reverse some deep rooted and powerful trends in social exclusion. It also points to the trends that will shape future policy and highlights particular areas where sustained effort is needed to reduce the scale of current problems.

Tackling Social Exclusion: Taking stock and looking to the future - Emerging Findings, March 2004 (PDF - 36 pages) 
http://www.socialexclusionunit.gov.uk/impactstrends/pdfimptre/tackleSocEx.pdf 

The Social Exclusion Unit welcomes your views and comments by April 18 2004. 

- Sport & health -

NATIONAL OBESITY CONFERENCE, LIVERPOOL

Tackling Obesity in the 21st Century.
Tuesday 18th May 2004. Venue LACE Conference Centre Liverpool.  

The conference focuses on the treatment and prevention of obesity across the UK, in association with the REACH group (Research into Exercise Activity and Children’s Health).

This conference will examine the latest research and reports into the scale of the Obesity epidemic in the UK and explore the implications of national documents and guidance. It will highlight the vital role of both prevention and treatment services in combating the epidemic and provide in-depth analysis of some of the very best examples of good practice across Britain. Delegates will leave the conference armed with information and ideas on how to take a ‘whole systems approach’ to implementing obesity programmes within their practices and communities. This will be supported by the integral networking opportunities that enable best practice to be shared.

The conference fee is £130 + VAT and places are strictly limited.  For more information or to register your interest, please contact Becki on 0151 7072412 or info@blacksheepproductions.fslife.co.uk

SECURING GOOD HEALTH FOR THE WHOLE POPULATION: WANLESS REPORT

This review has focussed particularly on prevention and the wider determinants of health in England and on the cost-effectiveness of action that can be taken to improve the health of the whole population and reduce health inequalities.
The key challenge is in delivery and implementation - the NHS, with a 'fully engaged' population, will need to shift its focus from a national sickness service, which treats disease, to a national health service which focuses on preventing it. The key threats to future health such as smoking, obesity and inequalities need to be tackled now.
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consultations_and_legislation/wanless/consult_wanless04_final.cfm 

to view Sport England’s response to Wanless, see: http://www.sportengland.org/news/press_releases/SE_welcomes_Wanless_report.shtml 

GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON PUBLIC HEALTH

Health Secretary John Reid has unveiled details of a huge national consultation on how to improve the nation’s health and wellbeing. The consultation document, ‘Choosing Health?' A consultation on improving people's health’, will form the basis of a major nationwide consultation exercise over the next three months, designed to engage the entire population in debate.

Hundreds of events are expected to take place across the country, organised by the NHS, local authorities and public health organisations.

The consultation will run from the beginning of March for 12 weeks, ending on 28 May 2004. There are several strands to the consultation:

o	Local consultation and events led by Primary Care Trusts and Local Authorities working within the framework of their Local Strategic Partnerships; 
o	Regional consultation led by Directors of Public Health; 
o	National consultation around seven identified themes led by task groups 
o	Other national activities and events will feed into the consultation process led by the Department of Health and other Government Departments; 
o	Invitations to the public to contribute their views and ideas directly; and 
o	The opportunity for stakeholders, including the public sector, voluntary organisations, professional organisations, industry and the media, to contribute to the debate.

‘Choosing Health? A consultation on improving people's health’ can be accessed from the Department of Health website http://www.dh.gov.uk

NORTH WEST HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FORUM (NWHPAF)

The NWHPAF was officially launched in 2000 but has existed in an informal capacity for some eight years or so. The main aims of the Forum are:

o	To share best practice in the area of physical activity and to liaise with and
inform relevant groups where appropriate
o	To promote a networking opportunity for those working within health
and physical activity
o	To be a regional body developing strong links with national organisations

If you would like to become a member of the Forum, contact: 

NWHPAF
c/o  Health & Fitness Development 			
3rd Floor, Central Library			
Town Hall Street, 
Blackburn BB2 1AA
Tel: (01254) 694503

‘MAKING THE CASE’: IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN MID-LIFE AND BEYOND

The Health Development Agency is working in partnership with older people, practitioners, government agencies and a number of partner organisations to develop a range of products and activities to support a strategic, whole system approach to improving the health of people in mid life and beyond.  They have developed this advocacy tool to enable people in the field to ‘make the case.’ To order Tel: 0870 121 4194 email: hda@twoten.press.net.  The HDA welcomes feedback and information from those working at local level to move this approach forward.  Please email Gillian.Granville@hda-online.org.uk 

-	Sport & the environment –

RURAL WHITE PAPER REVIEW

Run in parallel with Lord Haskins' Rural Delivery Review, the Rural White Paper review was commissioned to assess progress on the 2000 Rural White Paper, see whether objectives needed refreshing in the light of wider changes to the Government's agenda, and look for ways to accelerate delivery. The Review has found some major successes from the original White Paper and is being used to develop the Government's Rural Strategy for the next 3 to 5 years.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/rwpreview/

REVIEW OF RURAL FUNDING STREAMS 

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has launched a web page which aims to collect feedback under the rural funding streams review process. The purpose of the review process is to review all rural funding streams and schemes, to achieve a more rational, transparent and comprehensible approach to the administration of financial incentives and to ensure that all new initiatives are consistent with Defra’s delivery strategy, add real value and do not duplicate.
www.defra.gov.uk/rural/ruraldelivery/response/default.htm  

RURAL YOUTH NETWORK

Formerly the National Forum for the Development of Rural Youth Work (NFDRYW), Rural Youth is an independent membership organisation that aims to raise, develop and maintain an awareness of issues affecting young people and those who work with them in rural areas.

http://www.ruralyouth.com/ 
 
SCHOOL TRAVEL

The 2002 National Travel Survey (NTS) is the latest in a series of household surveys designed to provide a databank of personal travel information for Great Britain. The survey reports that the number of walking trips fell by over 20 per cent in the last 10 years and since 1991/1993, the proportion of primary-aged children walking to school has declined from 60 to 51%, with an increase from 29 to 41 per cent in the numbers being driven to school. For secondary school pupils there was a similar, shift from walking to car use. The document (18 pages) can be downloaded from http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/downloadable/dft_transstats_026273.pdf 

LOCAL AUTHORITY CYCLING GRANT TOOLKIT

The DfT provided over £4.3m to fund nearly 300 projects from around 1,000 bids received in the two rounds of the Cycling Projects Fund held in 2002 and 2003. The winning schemes included projects to provide cycle parking, safe routes to school, National Cycle Network routes, local cycling routes, workplace projects and cycle training. Winning organisations included schools, hospitals, private sector employers and a range of universities, voluntary groups and cycling organisations.

When making the announcement the Department for Transport (DfT) said it would be making supporting materials from the fund available on its website, to assist local authorities in developing local schemes. This guidance is now available 
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_localtrans/documents/page/dft_localtrans_027379.hcsp 

LIVING PLACES: CARING FOR QUALITY 

This ODPM report seeks to encourage innovative ways of thinking about and managing external public space. The report draws on schemes, ideas and initiatives to help local authorities and partners question existing practices and promote the way forward.

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_urbanpolicy/documents/page/odpm_urbpol_027112.hcsp

NORTH WEST SPORT BOOSTED BY £30M OF PLANNED INVESTMENT

2003 national playing field applications figures show continued investment in sporting facilities - 
approved applications for developments and improvements of playing fields brought in £30,440,000 of planned investment for sporting facilities across the North West during 2003. This significant planned investment resulted in the approval of 55 new and improved facilities. Sustained investment in sport and helping secure better access and facilities can clearly be seen by the increase in planned new facilities, up by 14 from the previous year. 

Sporting improvements and developments in the region include: John Moores University in Liverpool – upgrading the all weather pitch, tennis courts, netball courts and athletics facilities, Hyde Technology School in Tameside – new all weather pitch and work on existing playing fields including improvements to drainage and overall quality.

___________________________________________

INFORMATION UPDATE

SPORT ENGLAND LAUNCHES CONTACT CENTRE

There is now a new single number for general and national Sport England enquiries: 08458 508 508.  This number replaces the Funding Line 0845 764 9649 and national switchboard number 020 7273 1500.  If you want to speak specifically to the North West regional office please continue to contact us on the General Office number on 0161 834 0338.

WWW.SPORTENGLAND.ORG 

The new Sport England website went live on Jan 31st, the first phase of development which will see an all-new North West regional website being launched in April. 
The Sport England Gateway still exists and can be located at: http://www.sportengland.org/resources/resource_ul.shtml 

More: http://www.sportengland.org

REGIONAL REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN 

The Your Say information campaign – raising awareness of the referendum on the election of a regional assembly – will step up a gear in the coming weeks, as Ministers hold a series of public hearings across the region.  Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott held a session at Ewood Park, Blackburn on 4 March, and on 15 April will visit the Stonecross Manor Hotel in Kendal.  Nick Raynsford MP will front a hearing in Liverpool on 1 April at the Marriott Hotel.  

Local specialists on planning and housing - two of the key responsibilities of the proposed regional assembly - will join ministers on the platform alongside a representative from the North West Development Agency who give advice on economic issues.

Tickets are available on request from the Government Office for the North West on 0161 952 4284. All tickets will be posted to successful applicants prior to the hearings.

MAKING IT HAPPEN: THE NORTHERN WAY

Published by the ODPM, this report looks at the actions being taken to regenerate communities in the North, and to ensure they are sustainable.

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_communities/documents/page/odpm_comm_027118.pdf

A snapshot of work to regenerate communities in the North West accompanies the report: 
‘Creating sustainable communities in the North West’ is available at:
http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_communities/documents/page/odpm_comm_027137.hcsp

LIVEABILITY AND CULTURE AND LEISURE SERVICES – GOOD PRACTICE

The Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) is on the look-out for examples of excellent and innovative service delivery for two new publications. The topics are liveability, and culture and leisure services. This is your chance to showcase a successful project and share excellence across the sector.

For more information, see: www.idea.gov.uk/publications/liveability/submit 

DCMS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2004

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has published its sustainable development strategy.  To view the strategy, including separate documents on sport and the National Lottery click on:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/global/publications/archive_2004/sds_feb_04.htm 

NEW GROUP TO ENSURE UK BENEFITS FROM LONDON BID

A new group aimed at ensuring the benefits of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in London are spread throughout the UK is being launched by London 2012.  Bid Chairman Barbara Cassani announced the establishment of the Nations and Regions Support Group during the latest of a series of regional visits.  For further info click on:
http://www.london2012.org/en/news/archive/2004/march/2004-03-18-08-20.htm 

GAMES LEGACY WEBSITE

The Commonwealth Games Legacy website has recently been officially launched.
http://www.gameslegacy.com

EUROPEAN LEVELS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

The EU has published a special Eurobarometer on Physical Activity. This survey looks at the prevalence of physical activity, the context of physical activity, perception of environmental opportunities for physical activity all by age, gender and country. The Barometer (52 pages) can be downloaded from

http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_determinants/life_style/nutrition/documents/ebs_183_6_en.pdf 

REGIONAL TRAINING UNIT FOR SPORT NORTH WEST CLOSURE

The current administration and management of sports coach UK and Running Sport workshops and the Coaching for Teachers (CFT) programme has recently been reviewed.  As a result of this review and the anticipated growth in workshop demand, a centralised approach to the management and administration of the sports coach UK coach development programme, Running Sport club development workshops and the CFT programme has been implemented.

The processes currently used for workshop organisation, from requesting a workshop through to the actual running of these workshops, will remain exactly the same.  The only difference to highlight is the new address and contact details for the staff who will manage this process.

When dealing with sports coach UK workshops use the following office:

sports coach UK Business Support Centre
Sports Development Centre
Loughborough University
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE11 3TU

Tel: 01509 226 130
Fax: 01509 226 134
Email: bsc@sportscoachuk.org 

When dealing with Running Sport workshops use the following office:

Running Sport Support Team
Running Sport
PO Box 35
Leeds
LS12 4XY

Tel: 0845 7585136
Email:  kallen@coachwise.ltd.uk 

When dealing with Coaching for Teachers administration and enquiries, use the following office:

Special Projects
sports coach UK Headquarters
114 Cardigan Road
Headingley
Leeds
LS6 3BJ

Tel: 0113 274 4802
Fax: 0113 275 5019
Email:  coaching@sportscoachuk.org 

The RTU in the North West closed on 30th January 2004. 

DANCE NETWORK DELIVERS 
  
A new network for leading dance practitioners at www.dancenetwork.org.uk will give schools ideas, opportunities and tools to develop dance for young people. 
  
The site contains case studies from Specialist Performing Arts and Sports Colleges across the country on the themes of: 
   
o	raising standards in partner schools 
o	providing opportunities in dance for the wider community 
o	supporting gifted and talented young people  
o	14-19 pathways in dance. 
   
An events section will help to provide opportunities for young people to perform at the highest level. The network also aims to identify and support the professional development of leading dance practitioners.  The network has been developed by the National Dance Teachers Association, the Specialist Schools Trust and the Youth Sport Trust, supported by the Department for Education and Skills and the Arts Council. 
  
 More information is available at www.dancenetwork.org.uk   

___________________________________________