Five year plan for the future of WA sport

Facing the challenges of an ageing population, increasing time pressures and the value of volunteers were key features of the Western Australian sport and recreation industry's five-year vision outlined in Perth yesterday.

Speaking at the launch of the Strategic Directions 5 (SD5) document, Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron congratulated the sport and recreation industry on the development of a crucial tool for broader industry development, stating "this document is a five-year vision for the industry and will be an important tool for sport and recreation organisations at all levels to help in their strategic planning.

"Sport and recreation is about more than winning. It is a vehicle to bring the community together and provide people with opportunities for positive interactions with one another.

"It fosters good physical and mental health in our young and can play an important role in creating the places and events for people to get together. This is why the job that this industry does is so important."

The key drivers of change identified in the report include:

• Ageing population
• Time pressures
• Environment
• Volunteers and professionals
• Sustainability
• The economic outlook
• Increased regional investment
• Technology.

SD5 was written by the members of the SD5 Reference Group chaired by ANZ Chairman John Atkins.

Atkins explained "Strategic Directions 5 is a document developed by industry leaders in consultation with a broad group of stakeholders and, most importantly, members of the broader community.

"It seeks to identify the challenges that must be met, and the elements that should be considered, by sport and recreation organisations as they develop their plans for the future.

"SD5 identifies some very significant challenges which require careful and considered responses. This is a call for action for all to work together to ensure that active involvement in sport and recreation is not considered a 'luxury' but essential to building a safe, healthy and happy community."

The SD5 document is available online at www.dsr.wa.gov.au/sd5

25th November 2008 - REVIEW OF WA COUNTRY SPORT