Sport on the rise in Merri-bek; have your say on the future (media release)

Moreland Council data has revealed that participation in sport and recreation activities across the municipality has increased by 39% over the past decade.

Participation rates in sports including basketball, gymnastics and indoor soccer, as well as informal recreational activities like cycling, running and dog-walking, have experienced significant increases.

And more increases are expected over the next ten years, with junior sports groups set to increase by around 24%, while Merri-bek’s senior sports groups are projected to increase by around 9%.

To encourage continued participation, Council has developed a Draft Sport and Active Recreation Strategic Framework, which will guide the planning, provision and advocacy of sport and physical activity opportunities across the next 10 years and into the future, and is currently inviting the community to provide their feedback.

Moreland Mayor, Cr Natalie Abboud said the aim of the framework was to enhance the range and effectiveness of sporting facilities, infrastructure and services, and to encourage active participation of all members of the community.

“Here in Merri-bek, we’re committed to fostering the inclusion of junior and women’s teams, minimising barriers to participation and identifying strategies to get more people to be more active at all stages of life,” said Cr Abboud.

“In line with our Active Merri-bek guiding principles, we’re prioritising strategies which will continue to benefit the health and wellbeing of our community and promote a strong sense of community and belonging.”

The Draft Sport and Active Recreation Strategic Framework is currently open for consultation until Monday 2 September.

The framework is divided into three key themes;

• Participation in sport and physical activity – identifying the sport and recreation needs of our community and addressing barriers to participation.
• Sporting facilities and environments – planning and prioritising resources to fund upgrades and maintenance of facilities.
• Policy, planning and delivery of sport and active recreation outcomes - identify opportunities for the development of policy and planning to improve outcomes and to enhance our understanding of community needs.

To view a full copy of the framework and to find out how you can have your say visit moreland.vic.gov.au/sport-framework. The draft framework can also be viewed at any of the Merri-bek Libraries or Customer Service Centres.