As the Virgin Islands Department of Youth Affairs and Sports continues its work in updating the Territory’s National Sports Policy, the department is appealing to the public to participate in a survey designed to gather important data which will help guide the direction in which the Policy is Crafted.
The survey comprises 30 questions surrounding the involvement of individuals in sports, what led them to be interested in sports and where they would like to see this policy take the future of sports in the territory.
The Virgin Islands National Sports Policy (VINSP) was developed in 2013, and the process included a consultative method in the form of a two-day workshop that included the representatives from sports organisations, sports federations, the BVI Olympic Committee, Physical Education Teachers, members of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and public residents and citizens.
A consultant was engaged to prepare the draft which was later finalised by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Virgin Islands National Sports Policy, was passed in Cabinet on 2nd October in 2013 but not laid in the House of Assembly.
The policy sought to, among other things, advocate for sports, enhance the capacity for building and promotion, ensure research and development, promote collaboration with stakeholders, and the mobilisation of resources for sports.
The National Sports Policy also identified Priority Areas, including the establishment of a National Sports Council, physical education in the schools, sports for persons with special needs, athlete development and welfare, national representation, national recognition, sports infrastructure, sports tourism, financing, implementation, measurement and a proposed sports policy institutional framework.
The Revised Virgin Islands National Sports Policy will seek to address sports in a holistic manner recognising the importance of the roles of sport development for elite athletes and sports for development (social development, economic development and maintenance of health) towards the overall development of the Virgin Islands.
Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye said in a recent release that she is excited to see further progress on the Virgin Islands National Sports Policy and looks forward to the participation of community members in this very important initiative.
Survey can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/FxN37xw5js5wVbNw5