Government Review Of Sport In Jersey

The government has commissioned a review of sport in Jersey.

The independent review will shape the future support for and provision of sport in the island.

The report will also consider the working relationship between the government and Jersey Sport - the arms-length body created five years ago to promote participation in sport.

It's being conducted by Simon Cooper who has been involved in national and international events, including the Olympic Games.

The terms of reference are:

1. review how the government’s sport and physical activity policy and strategy are formulated and implemented.

2. review if the existing arms-length partner’s structure, organisation, management and delivery remains appropriate, relevant and fit for purpose to meet the Council of Minister’s Common Strategic Policy and ministerial priorities of the MEDTSC.

3. produce a report on the review findings, including recommendations.

Deputy Lucy Stephenson, the Assistant Minister with responsibility for sport, says the findings are set to be presented by the end of this summer.

"This strategic review of the sports delivery landscape is important to understand where we are now, and what changes – if any – we need to make in order to achieve value for money and effectiveness for Islanders.

I was particularly keen to ensure it was an independent review by someone without preconceived views on Jersey's sporting set up.

In Simon, we have someone whose knowledge and experience in the area of sport policy and its development is first class. I want him to act as a critical friend, and for his report to be used to ensure that we have the right structure and resources in place to enable all Islanders to get involved in sport." - Deputy Stephenson.

Simon Cooper will speak to key people involved in the sector, review policy documents and invite interested islanders to give their views.

"There will be the opportunity for take part in the review through a written consultation process that the government will run in the coming weeks, and I would encourage anyone who has interest in this area to contribute to that because clearly the more contributions we get to that, the richer this review will be  - which is hugely important."

His credits include:

* Head of Sport for the Mayor of London (2008 -2019) with overall responsibility for the Mayor’s sport programme

* Responsible for managing relations between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the public bodies.

* Worked for the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit as part of a team that developed and published a long-term Government strategy for sport (Game Plan, published 2002).

* Consultancy work including for the 2028 Olympic Games (City of Los Angeles) and Essex County Cricket Club.

* Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport (Tessa Jowell MP), DCMS, and Private Secretary to the Minister for Sport (Kate Hoey MP).