Vancouver Sport Strategy

• Background
• Canadian Sport for Life
• Timeline
• Reports/Links
• Meetings & Minutes

Background

Vancouver Sport for Life; the Vancouver Sport Strategy was approved by Park Board and City Council in May of 2008. The VSS represents the culmination of a year of community consultation that included input from Vancouver’s leaders in sport. The Vancouver Park Board and the numerous agencies and individuals dedicated to ensuring that sport is enjoyed in neighbourhoods throughout the City played a pivotal role, providing feedback that has shaped the strategic recommendations contained in this document. The process, like the VSS itself, was inclusive and innovative, creating opportunities for diverse partners to shape the policy framework and the strategies which will enable its successful implementation.

The result is a sport strategy that maps out a clear direction for the City of Vancouver that will lead to improved opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in a range of sport programs, events and facilities.

Vancouver has also set the standard as the first municipality to formulate a sport strategy within the Canadian Sport for Life framework.

Desired Outcomes

The strategic goals in the Vancouver Sport Strategy are predicated on achieving a number of positive outcomes, summarized here:

• More Vancouver residents participating in organized sports, and enhanced experience of athletes, volunteers and spectators.
• An increased number, quality and profile of sport competitions and events are hosted in Vancouver.
• Civic support and investment is directed towards sport according to CS4L principles, and is coordinated with other Metro municipalities and with local sport agencies.
• The policies and practices of sport groups supported by the City meet acceptable standards for coach training, age-appropriate activities, inclusion and ethical conduct.
• Public facilities in the city are used to their full potential for sport training and events, without displacing other valued uses.
• Priorities for upgrading or building new facilities and investment in programs align with the VSS strategic goals.
• The resources and/or organizational structures are in place to follow through on directions established by the Sport Strategy and the VSS is reviewed and updated in response to growth, innovations and evolutionary processes in sport.

Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L)

The Canadian Sport for Life is a national movement to change and improve the Canadian Sport System. It provides opportunities for all Canadians to participate in quality sport and physical activity, through-out their lifetime. The CS4L acknowledges the vital connection between sport, community recreation, health care and education in promoting children’s health and active living.