Fife’s Provost Jim Leishman is urging leisure groups to have their say on the future of community sports provision in the region.
During a visit to Enigma Gymnastics Club in Levenmouth, Mr Leishman highlighted the importance of contributing to the Fife sport strategy consultation through an initiative called Join Our Club, which can be accessed on the Fife Direct website.
The club recently awarded GymMark and ClubFife Development accreditation awards has already signed up to have its say on sporting issues and Mr Leishman is urging other clubs to do the same.
”The Join Our Club campaign is all about getting clubs and groups signed up to make use of the benefits of registering on Fife Direct,” he said.
”We want them to give us feedback about their experiences of delivering sport and activities in the community and how we can better support them.
”An online consultation is now live and it’s not too late for other clubs, groups and organisations to sign up to the Join Our Club project, too.”
Mr Leishman said the results of the consultation are expected to provide an invaluable insight into the experiences and issues faced while delivering sport in local communities. Along with feedback from a wide range of other partners and providers, this will form the basis of a revised sports strategy for Fife,” he said.
”We are aiming to have the strategy revised by summer next year. Within this we hope to ensure that we are providing the best sporting opportunities that we can for the people of Fife. Whether that is encouraging the inactive to get out for a walk a few times a week or supporting promising athletes on their pathway to competing professionally.”
Jennifer Mann, chairperson and head coach at Enigma Gymnastics, said she was ”delighted” the council had taken an interest in her club.
”We certainly won’t be missing the opportunity to take part and look forward to hearing the results next year,” she added.
Councillor Mark Hood, who is the lead councillor on sports strategy and the campaign, commended the club for getting involved in the consultation process.
”If we are to be successful at having more people taking part in sport in our communities, we need to ensure the local sports clubs have a bigger say in the direction we take sport in Fife,” he added.
”We have invested over £50 million in our large sports facilities in Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and Dunfermline in recent years but this should only be seen as the start.
”We must now look to strengthen the support we provide groups and clubs in every community in Fife and ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to take part in sport in Fife.”
The online consultation will run until February and is open to all sports clubs, groups and organisations that meet in Fife.
Visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/joinourclub for more information.