Sport

It's about time that sport was given the major attention it needs. 

Throughout our life sport provide us with friends, exercise, stress release and plain excitement. Whether direct involvement or as spectators, officials, parents and suppliers Sport touches so much of our live. Who can forget key Olympic moments, World Cups in hockey rugby or football F1 races or even curious sports like curling or golf. 

We talk about sport providing practice in team work, concentration and focus on goals and that is certainly true when we are younger. As you get older the fun the exercise and the friendships start to be more important. And in any competitive sport winning,  doing well or improving are all major drivers. Extending this to sport for all engagement covers many possibilities,  participants in mass sports like football, in individual sports like athletics, or more holistic sports such as my own one of Fencing.

For the younger generation why does the current GCSE curriculum focus on PE science more than practice,  How has sport become just a nice to have in current education? Just look at the increased proportion of private educated Olympians to realise that the current approach fails too many of the population.The better schools recognise that sport offers something to everyone and diversity is the key for children. 

One of the fastest growing areas of sport is Veterans, which includes me.  Is so many areas we see Veterans, from Tennis to Cycling, from Football to Athletics. For me the first international competition was as a Veteran in Croatia, and the joy and satisfaction of competing and passing that on to others provides lifetime memories and encourages me to continue. Sport must be for everyone and as part of my work I coach anyone from 9 to 101, from high level athletes to wheelchair fencers. 

Talking money sport provides an economic boost for Island business with substantial numbers of visitors for walking, sailing and cycling events among others. But I suspect there is little knowledge and limited focus in the Council of how this helps the island economy or showcases the island.

The island has produced major competitors at Olympic and national level for athlete and para athletes. It is a bedrock for many people who make the island home while the landscape and opportunities are unique within the UK. So sport on the island needs high level approaches and friends. As a key part The Isle of Wight Sports Foundation has the former High Sheriffs and the next Lord Lieutenant, and one of the best organisers on the island at its heart. 

Isn't it about time we had an island Select committee perhaps under the Sports Foundation banner to include the MP, Senior Council officials and leaders, Olympians and major businesses and  to look at creating a strategic approach to sport. Covering all the major issues of facilities, opportunities, coaching and coordination in order to showcase the island and produce a new pillar of island uniqueness.