A Vision For Sport In Scotland

A vision for sport in ScotlandSport for life

CONTENTS03 Our vision04 Overview06 Sport for life08 Scotland’s sporting assets10A sporting system for everyone11Playing our part12Our mission14Our approach15Measuring performance*Creating a culture ofactive healthy lifestylesin Scotland will underpina great sporting nation2 SPORT FOR LIFE

A VISIONFOR SPORTIN SCOTLANDOur vision is for an activeScotland where everyonebenefits from sport.In an active Scotland we will all find waysto be physically active every day. Keepingmoving at home and at work. Takingan active approach to getting around.Choosing to be active in our leisure time.More of us will take part in sport becausewe see it being relevant to our lives. Beinginvolved in ways that suit us. Meeting fewerbarriers. Feeling more included.We will all experience more of the benefitsof sport. For some of us, by taking part.For others, through our communities.A VISION FOR SPORT IN SCOTLAND 3

OVERVIEWOur visionOur missionAn activeScotland whereeveryone benefitsfrom sportHelp the peopleof Scotland getthe most from thesporting system4 SPORT FOR LIFE

Our rticipate,progress& achieveWellbeing& resilienceStayactivePeople& placesMoreactivePhysicalconfidence &competencePerson-centredCollaborativeWorld classOur commitment to inclusionunderpins everything we doThe Scottish Government has a vision for aScotland where more people are more active moreoften. Alongside making improvements on poordiet and substance misuse, physical activity is vitalto enabling a healthy and active population. Fora more active Scotland, a variety of organisationsneed to work together with communities andindividuals in different settings. To help focusthis work, the Government has created a set ofActive Scotland outcomes to which organisationscan contribute. The Active Scotland OutcomesFramework is aligned with Scotland’s NationalPerformance Framework.A VISION FOR SPORT IN SCOTLAND 5

SPORT FOR LIFEWe want the people of Scotland to get the mostout of life – and for sport to help make this happen.We all have our own reasons for taking part in sport,whether it’s fun, socialising, improving our wellbeingor winning medals. Sport has the ability to changelives, so whatever gets us into it, there’s always morewe can get out of it.Sport supports healthand enhances wellbeing.Sport helps keeppeople active.We live in an increasingly inactiveworld. Being inactive reduceslife expectancy and is linked toserious health problems. Yet we’redesigned to move — from first stepsto dancing and playing games. Sportbuilds on our natural desire to move.It gives us a sense of purpose. Itlets us take on a personal challengeor play a part in a team. It makesit easier for us to make physicalactivity a regular habit.Sport helps theeconomy thrive.Sports supports productivity, saveson health expenditure and helps togenerate employment and tourism.6 SPORT FOR LIFESport helps us unwind and feel more relaxed. It’s a wayof making friends and becoming involved in the community.It gives us energy and confidence to think clearly andget the most out of life. It also helps us develop a strongerbody and combat health issues.By taking part in sport,we want people toenjoy as many of thesebenefits as possible.Even if they don’t getinto sport directly,everyone can enjoy thebenefits it creates forour communities andScotland as a whole.Sport developsknowledge and skills.Sport helps build a talent pool foremployers by helping young peopleto develop. It keeps them engagedat school and beyond, teachingthem how to communicate, lead,plan, make decisions and workin teams.Sport strengthenscommunities.Taking part in sport improves social connections andreduces social isolation. It also lowers crime rates andantisocial behaviour and helps develop a sense ofcivic pride.

*Sport can raise esteemand improve health andincrease wellbeing throughbelonging to a communityA VISION FOR SPORT IN SCOTLAND 7

SCOTLAND’SSPORTINGASSETSScotland offers excellent opportunities to be physicallyactive and get involved in sport, thanks to its fantasticpeople, facilities and outdoor spaces.We have talented peopleworking in sport.At the heart of our sporting system are the thousands ofskilled staff and committed volunteers who help others takepart and progress. We see them in our outdoor environments,communities, places of education and work, and in oursports clubs and performance programmes.8 SPORT FOR LIFE

We want the peopleof Scotland to makethe most use of theseamazing sporting assetsWe have an exceptionalnatural environment.Scotland’s water, air, mountains and countryside play hostto a huge range of sports and activities. Whether a naturelover or an adventurer, everyone is welcome to enjoyScotland’s outdoors and access it responsibly.We have a great rangeof sports facilities.There are many places in Scotland to play sport and getactive. We have facilities in communities, schools, collegesand universities. There are thousands of gyms and sportsclubs plus outdoor and national sports centres. Alongsideour international sports venues, these facilities help us enjoysport at every level as well as attracting events and touriststo Scotland.A VISION FOR SPORT IN SCOTLAND 9

A SPORTINGSYSTEM FOREVERYONEWe believe in a world class sporting system that makesthe best use of Scotland’s assets and adapts to change.It helps the people of Scotland take part in sport at thelevel they choose.HEALTHA MORE ACTIVE ENCE &COMPETENCEPARTICIPATEPROGRESS& ACHIEVECLUBS &COMMUNITIESPLACESSCHOOLS &EDUCATIONINVESTMENTINFORMATIONWELLBEING& RESILIENCEPEOPLETIMEEXPERTISEPEOPLE& PLACESPERFORMANCESPORTTAKE PARTAT ALL LEVELSPROFILEOUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION UNDERPINS EVERYTHING WE DOWe see people taking part in sport and physical activityacross different environments.Offer local opportunities for participants and athletesto get involved and develop in sport.Help build competence and confidence in sport byproviding positive sporting experiences at schools,colleges and universities.Help prepare and support athletes to perform consistently onthe world stage using cutting-edge expertise and technology.The sporting system encourages these environmentsto work together to enable people to take part in sportat all levels.10 SPORT FOR LIFEWIDER OUTCOMESEDUCATIONENVIRONMENTTRANSPORTSCOTLAND PERFORMS

PLAYINGOUR PARTAs the national agency for sport, our role is to make suresport plays its part in a thriving Scotland. We do this byinfluencing, informing and investing in the organisationsand people who deliver sport and physical activity.As a public body funded by Scottish Government and the National Lottery,we report through Scottish Ministers to the Scottish Parliament.For more information on exactly what we deliver, please see the sportscotlandAnnual Review at sportscotland.org.ukA VISION FOR SPORT IN SCOTLAND 11

OUR MISSIONOur mission is to helpthe people of Scotlandget the most from thesporting system.We have more impactby working togetheracross and beyond sportWe make sport moreaccessible for peoplewho don’t take partOur partners in the sporting systemare public, private and voluntaryorganisations. These range from localauthorities and sports governing bodiesto charities and the education andhealth sectors.Whether it’s performing on the worldstage, or communities looking for waysto come together, the starting point isgetting people involved in sport.Together with these partners we createScotland’s sporting assets — planning,building and running sports facilities,making the most of our outdoor spaces.We also use our expertise and resourcesto develop the skilled people who makesport happen.sportscotland helps organisationsinside and outside the sporting systemmake the best use of the money, time,expertise and information investedin sport. This means having the rightpartnerships working together in theright way.12 SPORT FOR LIFEThe sporting system gives people achoice of how they take part. Sporthappens across different environments,from schools, colleges and universitiesto sports clubs, communities andperformance sport, with peoplechoosing the one that suits them best.However, not everyone feels includedin sport, and we want that to change.By listening closely to what matters topeople, the sporting system createsopportunities in sport that really meetpeople’s needs.sportscotland works with partners,sports clubs and communities to gaininsights and make it easier for peopleto take part in sport. We use theseinsights to make sport more inclusive,with some opportunities tailor-madefor specific needs.

We are clear about howpeople can progress tothe level they chooseWe lead the sportingsystem to contributeto the Active ScotlandoutcomesWe celebrate howsport benefitspeople’s livesWe want everyone to take part insport at whatever level they choose.This could mean pulling on trainersfor the first time, or moving fromrecreational to competitive sport.For some it will even be aboutperforming consistently on theworld stage.The system illustrates the powerfulrole that sport plays in deliveringan Active Scotland, alongsidehealth, transport, education andthe environment.By encouraging people to take part insport at all levels, the sporting systemcreates wider benefits in areas such ashealth, education, communities and theeconomy. These benefits can be eitherinherent or intentional. Either way wewant people to be aware of them.Using development and performancepathways helps people progress totheir chosen level, supported on theirjourney by people and resources.sportscotland helps sports developrobust pathways which enable peopleto progress to their desired level,take on different roles and potentiallymove across sports. Working closelywith our partners, we ensureresources are suitably alignedacross all environments.Sport is key to getting more peoplemore active more often. Helped byplaces and people, it’s the main waythat many choose to be active. Sporthelps some people step out of inactivityand others to stay active throughouttheir lives. It helps build physicalconfidence from an early age andalso brings communities together,creating wider benefits.sportscotland leads the sportingsystem to demonstrate its contributionto the Active Scotland OutcomesFramework. We show our contributionto the outcomes through a set ofperformance indicators (see measuringperformance). We also encourage ourpartners to demonstrate each of theircontributions to an active Scotland.sportscotland works with partners topromote how sport benefits people’slives to key stakeholders inside andbeyond sport.These are just some of theways sportscotland can helppeople get the most from thesporting system. to find out moreplease visit sportscotland.org.ukA VISION FOR SPORT IN SCOTLAND 13

*Not everyonein Scotland willbe sporty buteveryone canbe active insome wayOUR APPROACHWe want to use the best approach to deliver the benefitsof sport to the people of Scotland. To do this, we’re guidedby six key principles:InclusiveWe understand the barriers peopleface and proactively address them soeveryone has the opportunity to getinvolved in sport and physical activity.AccountableWe plan well, we measure ourperformance and we are accountablefor delivering outcomes.14 SPORT FOR LIFEPerson-centredWe listen to people and put theirvoices at the heart of our thinking.CollaborativeWe develop and strengthenpartnerships and collaborationsacross the public, voluntaryand private sectors.ResponsiveWorld classWe adapt what we do based on howwe’re doing and what’s happeningaround us.We do everything to the highestpossible standard, while seeking tocontinuously improve.