Executive Summary

"For the Love of It"

Every day throughout the City of Edmonton thousands of individuals take part in a wide variety of sport-related activities. Some are athletes, some are coaches, some are officials, while others are acting as administrators or spectators. They use a wide range of facilities, from sports fields to swimming pools to arenas to parkland. They play individually and in groups. They range in age from children to seniors. Together they enjoy the many benefits which sport can provide.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Edmonton Sport Strategy is to provide a plan for a well coordinated, participant centred, sport delivery system in Edmonton, so that as many people as possible can enjoy these benefits, to enhance community life.

SCOPE:

The Edmonton Sport Strategy is being developed for the zone of Edmonton, as defined by the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Edmonton, Zone 6, is one of 8 zones in the province, and the zone boundaries are the city limits. This strategy addresses sport in the city.

DEFINITION OF SPORT:

For the purpose of this strategy the following definition of sport, adapted from the Alberta Sport Development Policy of 1983, will be used:

1. Sport requires that participants execute physical and mental skills that require practice or preparation to improve or perfect;
2. Sport involves competition with other participants, oneself, or nature. Levels of competition range from those for the beginning participant to those for the international competitor;
3. Sport occurs in a structured environment and is governed by standard rules.

BELIEFS:

The Edmonton Sport Strategy is based on a series of fundamental beliefs with regard to the value of sport.   These are:

1. Access to high quality sport opportunities is a right of all Edmontonians regardless of age, race, gender, economic status or ability.
2. The participant is at the centre of the sport delivery system.
3. Equal opportunity to participate in all levels of the sporting experience is essential.
4. The principles of fair play must pervade the entire sport delivery system.
5. The responsibility for sport in Edmonton is shared by many partners including government, sport organizations and educational institutions. An effective delivery system demands co-operation and shared leadership. 
6. Sport participation allows individuals to learn and put into practice the values of good community members such as respect, tolerance, and following rules.
7. Good sport is about the joy of participation, of learning, of testing oneself and succeeding. Whatever the level of participation, the love of sport is present.
8. Engaging in sport can develop people. The challenges experienced through sport, done well, can assist individuals to set and meet goals and to maximize their potential.

Using these belief statements as a guide, a vision for the future of sport in Edmonton was developed. Briefly summarized, the vision states that “Through responsible and inspired leadership, Edmonton will be a model for other municipalities to follow in providing excellent sporting opportunities for its citizens. The sport system will be participant-centred, equitable, accessible, fair, and well-publicized. Edmontonians of all ages will participate regularly for the love of sport.”

MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the Edmonton Sport Strategy is: "To provide a plan for a well coordinated, participant centred, sport delivery system in Edmonton."

In order to achieve this mission, the plan will focus on the following 5 theme areas:

• Improve communication and co-ordination
• Increase the number of sport participants in Edmonton
• Develop a stable, ongoing base of funding for sport
• Ensure the efficient development, management, and utilization of facilities
• Promote sport in Edmonton

Each of these theme areas has specific objectives and goals that will lead to the vision becoming a reality.

The method which will be used to facilitate the implementation of the Strategy will be the establishment of a Sport Council for Edmonton. This Sport Council will play a lead role in bringing partners together and providing leadership to action.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The delivery of sport in Edmonton has been influenced by several factors throughout the years. There have been a number of policies which have affected or made reference to sport delivery at the national, provincial, and local levels. As well, many sport organizations have played a large part in the delivery of sporting opportunities.

The municipality has developed several strategies which address how facilities are developed and used, including the Joint Use Agreement, the Aquatic Strategy, and the Sports Fields Strategy.

The current sport delivery system in Edmonton involves many players. There are over 350 groups on file with Community Services who have some aspect of sport in their offerings to their members. AS well, the school boards, community leagues, post-secondary institutions and many other agencies are involved. A need has been identified for some kind of plan or method for all these groups to work together.

The Sport Strategy Project:

Plans for the Sport Strategy Project began in Fall 1996 with discussions held among Community Services staff. Support for the development of Sport Strategy was also identified at the provincial level, with the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation allocating funding for the project.

Early steps in the process included hiring a project coordinator and gathering input form the sport community. A questionnaire was sent to sport groups in March 1997, a Sport Forum was held on April 24, and a meeting for institutions and multi-sport groups was also held in April.

The next step was the creation of “The Working Team”, a group made up of 15 individuals from the sport community and 3 City staff. This group worked together to develop the strategy and to continue seeking input. Throughout the process, many different groups were consulted.

On October 23, the “Sport Strategy Update” took place. This was an information and feedback session hosted by the Working Team to give people in the sport community an opportunity to hear about the Strategy and provide their comments. The response to the presentation was positive, and participants provided several valuable suggestions. Answers on the feedback forms from the evening indicated that 76% of the participants agreed with the strategy as presented, 79% believed it would benefit their sport, and 82% supported the formation of a Sport Council.

The Plan

Theme Areas:

Each of the Five theme areas has a list of goals and action steps, based on the input received from the sport community. Some examples include the development of a Sport Directory, forming partnerships to promote the benefits of sport to the whole community, and seeking out new sources of funding.

SPORT COUNCIL:

The mandate of the Sport Council is:

"To foster communication among partners in sport and to provide leadership to action; acting as a common voice for sport"

Function:

"To facilitate the implementation of 'For The Love Of It', Edmonton's Sport Strategy."

Proposed Format:

• Membership will be drawn from the sport community
• A board of directors will be made up of 15 individuals and up to 2 City Councillors
• Working committees will be set up for each of the 5 theme areas
• Staff will be hired to work for the council

Year One Action Plan:

• Interim Board in place
• Incorporation completed, including bylaws, founding meeting
• Membership guidelines established
• Office and administration set up including hiring of staff
• Working committees established, work on strategy begun

FUNDING:

Funding for the formation of a council and the implementation of the Strategy will be sought from a variety of sources. Multiple revenue sources have been identified to ensure that the Strategy does not compete with existing sport organizations for financial support.