Page 28 - South Issue 12

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Those aged 60 plus
asked for their views
on sports and physical
activities
People over the age of 60 who
live in South Oxfordshire or
the Vale of the White Horse
are being encouraged to have
their say on sports and physical
activities which could be made
available in the two districts.
South Oxfordshire and Vale of
the White Horse District Councils
are set to bid for money from
Sport England’s Community
Sport Activation Fund, which
would help to create more
opportunities for older residents
living in rural areas to take part
in sports and regular physical
activity.
As part of their application, the
district councils are looking to
consult with residents aged 60
and older to find out how this
money could be used to support
and encourage them in leading
a more physically active and
healthy lifestyle.
With a growing older population
in both districts, and a drop
in participation in sport and
physical activity as we age, the
award of a Community Sport
Activation Fund grant could be
used to address the shortage of
activities in villages by offering
more opportunities and training
local people to deliver activities
in their area.
If the application for funding is
successful the project would be
delivered by the district councils
in partnership with Age UK
Oxfordshire, Generation Games,
Oxfordshire Rural Community
Council, Oxfordshire Playing
Fields Association and the
Oxfordshire Sports Partnership.
Cllr Bill Service, Cabinet Member
for Leisure at South Oxfordshire
District Council, said: “This is
a great opportunity for older
people to influence what
activities could take place in
their local area and give their
views on how we could assist
them to lead a more active
lifestyle.”
Cllr Elaine Ware, Cabinet
Member for Economy, Leisure
and Property at Vale of White
Horse District Council, said: “If
we are successful in securing
this funding then we will be able
to provide more activities locally
across the district. I would
encourage all those people over
the age of 60 to participate in
the survey.”
Have your say now by visiting
the online survey which will be
open until 30 June 2014. Anyone
who does not have access to the
internet and would like to take
part in the survey can do so by
calling Nicola Meurer on 01491
823431.