Haringey has launched its Physical Activity and Sport Strategy 2019 – 2023, outlining its four-year plan for making Haringey one of the capital’s healthiest and most physically active boroughs. The strategy aims to encourage people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to become more physically active, improve health and wellbeing and create healthier and more productive communities in Haringey.
The council will work with stakeholders to increase opportunities for residents to embed physical activity into their daily lives and ensure that people feel that regular activity, sport or exercise is safe, sustainable and suitable for them.
The plans will build on the successes of the 2014 – 18 strategy, which resulted in an increase in activity in adults in Haringey, a 55% rise in usage of local leisure centres and more schools achieving Health Schools status and adopting Active Travel Plans.
Taking up physical activity from a young age can have a range of health and socio-economic benefits, including lowering the risk of heart disease, enhancing confidence, reducing loneliness and social isolation and offering diversions for young people vulnerable to risky behaviours.
The strategy was launched at a multi-sports day run by HR Sports Academy at Woodside High School on White Hart Lane, attended by Team GB para-athlete, Vanessa Wallace, who was raised in and schooled in Tottenham. Vanessa competed at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and won shot put gold at the 2018 European Championships in Berlin.
Vanessa Wallace said:
I’m pleased to see so many children enjoying sport, keeping active and having a great time. It’s so important for young people to have access to sports facilities and a chance to express themselves. I wish I had all this when I was growing up here!
Cllr Kaushika Amin, Cabinet Member for Corporate and Civic Services, said:
I am delighted to support this strategy, which aims to make Haringey one of the most physically active boroughs in London. We want to provide opportunities for people to be active from a young age those of all ages to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Find the strategy here.
