London Sport sitting netball pilot project recognised for work in inclusion and diversity
With the number of adults aged 65+ expected to increase by more than 20% by the end of the decade, addressing the under-representation of older adults’ participation in sport will prove vital to London Sport’s target of getting 1,000,000 Londoners more active by 2020.
Now, a new sitting netball pilot project developed by London Sport in response to increasing awareness of a lack of opportunity for older adults has been recognised for its successes in addressing inclusion and diversity in sport by England Netball, winning the National Governing Body’s regional award, and being nominated for the national Goalden Globes Awards 2016.
The sitting netball pilot project was introduced to five care homes in Brent and Harrow to support efforts to enable more older adults to enjoy the benefits of sport, in response to data which shows that 49% of over 65s in London do not take part in any physical activity or sport, almost 4% higher than figure for the rest of the country. Encouragingly, care home staff participating in the pilot reported that participants have seen a range of benefits, including improved coordination, and 100% of residents feeling happier as a result of the activity.
Through engaging with communities and providing sporting opportunities, London Sport have been crowned regional winners of England Netball’s Inclusion and Diversity Award, with progression to the national awards to determine this year’s winners. The award recognises initiatives to overcome barriers to participation and providing opportunities and seeking to address diversity.
Following the success of this pilot scheme, London Sport are currently exploring options to expand sitting netball and other adapted sports into residential homes across other boroughs.
On 17 September 2016, London Sport will proudly join volunteers from across the country for a collective celebration at the national awards – The Goalden Globes – to recognise the outstanding contributions that volunteers make to sport.
For more information on the Goalden Globe Awards 2016 and how to attend this celebratory night, visit England Netball’s website.
