Sport Strategy’s ‘bare basics’ at risk if funding is reduced

The commission has been receiving about £250,000 a year to deliver a large part of the strategy. ESC wants that budget cut to £124,000 next year and £82,000 a year from 2025.

ESC’s cut is included in the Government Work Plan which is facing a two-stage States debate starting tomorrow, just days after huge crowds watched Guernsey top the medal table at the Island Games.

The commission had requested an increase in funding for sport.

‘The compromise amount of funding we asked for to continue supporting the Active 8 [sports strategy] work streams, which was £247,000 a year, would just ensure the bare basics can continue,’ said the commission’s operations director, Graham Chester.

‘This does not support our more ambitious objectives. We simply can’t even scratch the surface of the greater inclusion work we would love to do, let alone shoot for the stars talking about Olympic medals and other areas of elite performance.’

ESC has undertaken to protect two other budgets which it provides to the Sports Commission at an annual cost of about £500,000. And it has insisted that it remains committed to the sports strategy, which was agreed in 2020 and runs until 2030.

However, Mr Chester said the cuts ESC was proposing would cripple the strategy.

‘The point of Active 8 when it was unanimously approved three years ago was to start a series of work streams linked to things like safeguarding, secondary school PE, reviewing sports facilities, improving access to sport for all and the governance of sports organisations,’ he said.

‘It makes no particular sense to start a lot of work that is essential and then just stop. Our concern is not only that things stop, but also that we have then wasted the previous three years’ worth of funding because we can’t continue what we spent time and money setting up.

‘The States would then have an agreed sport strategy with no mechanism to deliver it.’

ESC recently indicated that it was considering amending its proposed sports budget cut. Rebel member Deputy Andy Cameron is confident that the States will defeat the committee if it keeps the cuts on the table.

He hopes the success of the Games will convince more politicians to back sport.

‘I was watching basketball at the Games, with Vauvert, Amherst, and Forest Schools cheering on the players. This has been such an aspirational week for them and we need to encourage that enthusiasm,’ he said.

‘Sport plays a crucial role in promoting physical activity and overall health. By investing in sports programmes and facilities, we can encourage islanders to lead active lifestyles, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

‘Sport also contributes to mental well-being, fostering positive self-esteem, reducing stress and promoting social interaction. Cutting funding to the Sports Commission will have a severe impact on this. It’s a false economy and is likely to cost more in the long run.’

Mr Chester said the Island Games had reminded Guernsey about the power of sport.

‘It has been fantastic to see some people who wouldn’t consider themselves sports fans talking about sport and enjoying sport,’ he said.

‘Sport is for everyone and the community participation in the event from volunteers, athletes, officials, spectators, sponsors and business owners has been immense.’