£140,000 grant will boost sport in Cumbria

12th December 2007

The School of Sport at the University of Cumbria has been awarded a grant of £140,000 by Sport England to develop the sport workforce in Cumbria. Cumbria Sport Partnership played an important role in securing this grant and is also contributing £45,000 in funding to support the project.

This will significantly benefit sport and physical activity in the region, and is a strong endorsement of the School’s excellent reputation and high-level expertise in sport, coaching and physical activity.

The grant will finance a 4-year Sport Workforce Development Project that will seek to address the skills gaps and shortages in the Cumbrian sport and physical activity sector. The University will be working closely with the Cumbria Sport Partnership throughout the project, to ensure the workforce needs of the sport and physical activity employers in Cumbria are monitored and satisfied.

The project incorporates the appointment of a Sport Workforce Development Manager, based in the School of Sport at the Newton Rigg campus in Penrith. This post will be funded jointly by the University’s School of Sport, Cumbria Sport Partnership and Sport England. An appointment will be made in January with a view to the Development Manager starting in March or April 2008.

Dr Dave Houlston, Head of the School of Sport, explains:

“The Sport Workforce Development Project will ensure the sport and physical activity sector in Cumbria is provided with a suitably qualified workforce, and one that fills the skills gap identified in recent strategic reports. This is really exciting news for the School of Sport as it enables the University to have an immediate and practical impact on the development of sport and physical activity across the county, and is testimony to the reputation and quality of sport provision in the University. I look to forward to a supportive, productive, and close collaboration with the Cumbria Sport Partnership that will benefit the region for many years to come.”

Cumbria Sport Partnership Development Manager Carol Renshaw said:

“Strategic reports and current research, driven by the Cumbria Sport Partnership, has shown that the Sport and Active Leisure Sector has significant skills gaps and shortages. Speaking on behalf of Cumbria Sport and following the success of previous joint pilot programmes with the University, we see this as a very exciting time for sport in Cumbria that compliments and contributes to our objectives of increasing participation in sport and physical activity. We look forward to our continued partnership working with such a professional and committed organisation to address various skills gaps across the sports’ sector, a sector that has been noted for its growth potential and economic value in Cumbria.”

Stewart Kellett is Regional Director for Sport England North West. He commented:

“Sport England is committed to developing clubs, coaches and community sport across Cumbria. This partnership with the University of Cumbria, the county sport partnership and Sport England is an important part of the strategy because it ensures that staff in clubs and sports organisations will have the right skills to grow sporting opportunities now and in the future.”

Professor Christopher Carr, University of Cumbria’s Vice Chancellor, has welcomed this announcement. He added:

“It is a key part of the University’s Strategic Plan to encourage and support sustainable development in the region, as well as providing Cumbrian businesses with skilled employees they require. I look forward to seeing what this project achieves and the positive impact it will have on the sports workforce of Cumbria.”

The project aims to address the 30% skills gaps and skills shortages in the sports sector in Cumbria. The appointment of the Workforce Development Manager will ensure that sport organisations and employees in the sub-region have the appropriate skills for delivery, development and increased participation in the County’s sport and physical activity sector. On completion, the project will ensure that the Cumbria Sport and Physical Activity Workforce Development Plan 2007-12 is delivered, and assessments of future need completed.

For information about Sport Education and Sport & Recreation Services at the University of Cumbria, visit the website at www.cumbria.ac.uk.