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Jersey Sport is calling on people power during the island's election campaign to get future politicians to promise to support exercise and healthy living, once they’ve won their seat in the States.
As you flick through the many manifestos coming through your door by senatorial, deputy and constable hopefuls, is the candidate’s view on sport and active living a winning element to secure your vote?
Equipped with the tag ‘#VoteForSport’ the independent organisation is asking the public to challenge election hopefuls on where they stand on sport.
With many manifestos focussing on topics like education, economy and migration, Jersey Sport has been disappointed with the attention given to active living.
Although the organisation says they couldn’t address this while candidates were writing up their intentions, as they didn’t know who was being nominated, they hope it’s not too late to make sport a key priority for the next assembly by islanders using their vote.
Pictured: Jersey Sport are calling on islanders to question election hopefuls on where they stand on active living and sport during hustings.
Chairman of the Jersey Sport board, Phil Austin, believes active living is an important issue saying: “It is vital for the future of the island that encouraging and facilitating physical activity now becomes a key priority of the new government, and we hope islanders challenge candidates on this over the coming weeks.”
“It’s a ‘spend to save’ situation and attitudes to health need to shift quickly from reactive to preventative. With an ever-ageing population and rising obesity levels, Jersey deserves a States assembly that is committed to investment in sport and active living. There needs to be a real focus on the island’s facilities and the policy that inspires more of us to lead more active lifestyles.”
Armed with national and local sporting celebrities including Olympic medal winner Sebastian Coe and Jersey Commonwealth games athlete Zane Duquemin, the election campaign has already got some big-name supporters, as well as backing from other health organisations and professionals.
Pictured: Lord Coe standing with Jersey Sport Director Jean Cross, and Jersey athlete Zane Duequemin are supporting the election campaign.
James Le Feuvre, Executive Director of Mind Jersey, said; “The importance of securing good levels of physical activity and fitness are increasingly recognised as important features in maintaining an overall sense of well-being and good mental health.
He added; “Addressing the increased prevalence of loneliness and isolation is also important and taking part in communal activities, especially if they promote fitness, can be of great benefit. Jersey has a great environment and there is real potential to harness this in encouraging people to get active and get involved.”
“Jersey deserves a States assembly that is committed to investment in sport and active living.”
— Jersey Sport (@JerseySport) April 19, 2018
Our #VoteForSport campaign is underway in the countdown to polling day, and we need your support to send a clear message to candidates
Sign your name: https://t.co/XgqZ5VSAXa pic.twitter.com/qqxrVMHp8C
“We need Jersey to have a well-structured and planned government-backed sports programme in order for the island to produce elite performance athletes. This in turn will be good for everyone,” said the President of the Jersey Commonwealth Games Association, Paul du Feu.
Jersey Sport are also holding a breakfast meeting next week with all those standing for a position in the island’s next government to get them to commit to supporting active living by signing a ‘pledge board’ that will be displayed online.
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