Bengt SeveliusHonorary President of ENGSO

Barcelona 2008-11-27

“Contribution of European Non Governmental Sport Organisation (ENGSO)

to health improvement trough physical activity”

The impact of voluntary leadership

”The voluntary sector plays a decisive role in sport andthus makes a major contribution to the balanceddevelopment of society”(Informal meeting of Sport Ministers April 1994)

“Sport is a full partner in society and thus should beconsidered as an essential element in policy-making,most particularly in the health, social and economicfields”(Sport Ministers meeting, Lisbon, May 1995)

ENGSO

ENGSO stands for the European Non-GovernmentalSports Organisation and is constituted by the national umbrella organisations for sports (sportsconfederations, national olympic committees or a merger of these ones).

Governments are expected to create goodpreconditions for sport as a vehicle for social changeand the NGO:s deliver the essential elements of physical activity, social inclusion, health, national profileand the important added value – fun!

European Parliament (EP) adopted 25/9 2008 The ”White Paper” on a strategy for Europe on nutrition, overweight and obesity – related issues.

The EP calls on member states and on regional and local authorities to work more actively to ensure physical activity – particularly though urban planning and developing public sport facilities.

EU-NETWORKS

• The EU-platform diet, physical activity and health.

ENGSO was the first sport organisation entering the“EU Platform on diet, physical activity and health”

• The European Commission (EC) has formed a working group on health

• The EC has been drafting “EU-Policy Guidelines for Physical Activity”

= Policy Actions in support of Health Enhancing PA”– addressed to policy makers in order to aid them to

formulate cross-sectorial national policies

• To be decided upon by the Ministers of Sport in Nov 08.

ENGSO – as a European Umbrella Organisation of Sports – encourages the National Sports Umbrella Organisations

to be more active in developing and offering health enhancing physical activity

ENGSO – “Round Table Sport for All”TAFISA, ISCA, CESS, UESPT, FIEPS –EUROPE,

ECBF and others

ENGSO-FORUM (Oct 2008)Main themes – health and volunteering

In my opinion:

The health promoting physical activities within the sports movement are advancing!

How?

… through broadening the sports offer and developing existing and new sports to the new demands and new target groups.

The aim has to be “Sport for All!

SPORT FOR ALL!= for all kind of ambitions – from elit – over sport for

children, youth, adults and elderly to recreationaland rehabilitation trough sports

”Sport for all” as a consept for physicalactivity, fitness, recreation and joy.

Recommendation 3

Training and competition Guidelines• Children and young people must be allowed to

participate on the basis of their own wishes, skills, abilities and needs. ................ that everyone is given the opportunity to acquire basic sports skills.

• Priority must be given to the fun and enjoymentof sport.

Recommendation 4

• All sports activities should be led and directed by qualified and proficient leaders, teachers and coaches, who have knowledge of children’s and young people’s physical, psychological, motor and social development.

• The aim is to qualityassure the sports activities.

Trends in society – some example

• Hectic lifestyle (family, job, economy etc.)• Demanding job situation – “economical crises”• Increasing commercialisation and privatisation in

sports• Increasing obesity• Increasing number of retired persons• Increasing “non active youngsters”• Decreasing physical education in schools

Physical Activity – trend

“Private Consultation”

contra

“Active Participant in Club Activities”

Trends strongly challenging sports world

• The governmental attitude to sport• Sport developing as a “lifestyle” – motive to broaden

the offer for all ages• Sport – a means for health promotion• Physical activities for prevention against and

rehabilitation of injuries/illnesses

For this challenges more volunteers are needed –particularly on local level!

Millions of voluntary leaders create a positive power, which strongly contributes

to the development of society.

Voluntary sports leaders, % of populations 2003

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Austria

Belgium

Croatia

Czech

iaEsto

niaFinl

and

Frankri

keGerm

any

Islan

dLit

huan

ianNeth

erlan

dsSlov

akien

Sloven

iaSwed

enSwitz

erlan

d

%

Necessary to methodically recruit newvolunteers!

Therefore - give the youngsters “a real say”!- give women “a real chance”!- give elderly the chance to a “come back”!

The ”local authorities” of Sweden – Tasks in the field of sport

• Offer facilities for sport and recreation• Support the clubs financially – in particular their

children and youth activities• Secure land for outdoor activities and recreation

as a part of their long-term planning

The local authorities are the far biggest ”sponsors” ofthe Swedish sport movement!!!

ENGSO has been a partner of an EU-project called “Sports co-ordinator”

Main aim – to create a vocational education and training programme for employees at sport centres

Added value – to pave the way for a positive and welcoming attitude to the visitors (particularly newcomers) and be ready for active support (information, advices etc)

The Swedish Public Health Policy

The main aim of the Swedish National policy for public health is to create social conditions that will ensure good health, on equal terms, for the

entire population

“Sport for lifetime”

The strategic plan for promotion of health by physical activities adopted by the Swedish Sport Confederation2007

The plan stresses the impact of sport in society and the domains where we have to act.

The following domains strongly affect the Swedish sports:

Nr 1 Participation and influence in society (democracy)

Nr 9 Increased physical activity - of course

Nr 4 Healthier working life

Nr 5 Healthy and safe environments and products

Nr 10 Good eating habits and safe food

Nr 11 Reduced use of tobacco and alcohol, a society free from drugs and doping, and reduction of excessive gambling

The local sports clubs form the great potential by offering a wide range of physical activities and intensities.

… and while existing in almost every village they could be a partner of health authorities in promoting “Health by physical activities adapted to individual needs.

An interesting Finnish project for health promoting is called “Sports Club for health”:

Guidelines for health-promoting sport programmes”, are formed and advises given.

Behind the project stands the Finnish Sport for All Association, European Sport for all Network, TAFISA –Trim and Fitness Sport For All Association

Sport in our countries will be whatour local clubs make it.

As a summary:

The Sports Movement has to be seen as a strong partner of the society when planning for increased physical activity among the whole population

Collaboration with scientific institutions on

• Mapping/analysing– Situations– Needs of education– Training as an on-going process etc.

• Evaluation of projects, actions rewardingsystems etc.

Grandmothers-the time of the rockingchair is gone!