Chesterfield sprints ahead in sports participation

The recent ‘Active People Survey’ by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has rated Chesterfield as having the second highest increase in people taking part in sport and active recreation in the country.

The latest survey, shows that 24.9% of Chesterfield's residents over the age of 16 are taking part in sport and active recreation three times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes moderate intensity exercise. This is an increase of 8% on the last survey, undertaken in 2006.  This gives Chesterfield the second highest increase in the country and the highest in the East Midlands and Derbyshire.

Cllr David Stone, Lead Member for Safe, Healthy and Active Communities at Chesterfield Borough Council said: “This is a fantastic result for Chesterfield and is proof that the measures taken over the past few years to provide first class sporting facilities in the Borough and the innovative partnerships designed to get people fit and active is starting to have a positive effect.

“We know there is still a long way to go to improving the health and fitness of residents and we will continue to build on the success we’ve already had with projects such as the Healthy Living Centre at Staveley, our participation in Race for Life, and the 3G football pitch at Queen’s Park.  We will also continue to work with our many partners, including Derbyshire County PCT, the Community Sports Network, the Schools Sports Partnership and Derbyshire Sport, to deliver initiatives that make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing.”

A spokesperson for Sport England said: “Participation in the East Midlands remains above the national average, but we need to continue the drive both to get the right sporting opportunities in place, and to change people’s sporting behaviours.

“Six months into a four-year funding period, we’re delighted that sports such as cycling are delivering substantial growth. However, we do recognise the challenges around participation among women and disabled people, as well as in some individual sports.

“We’re absolutely committed to working with sport to improve our understanding of specific barriers to growth in these areas and taking steps to address them.”

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