Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham and Hull East MP, John Prescott, have unveiled a revolutionary strategy to increase sports participation, tackle obesity and strengthen community cohesion.    

The ‘Pride of East Hull’ consultation document has been developed with rugby league club, Hull Kingston Rovers and aims to bring together education, health and local sporting partners to improve the health and life-chances of the public. 

Working principally through Hull Kingston Rovers’ Education and Sport Trust, Preston Road New Deal Community, Hull City Council, Hull College, Hull Primary Care Trust and Archbishop Sentamu Academy and voluntary community groups, the scheme aims to develop:

·        A new Rovers Academy for Sport – integrating and improving existing sports facilities in the area

·        The establishment of three sports villages

·        A sports training programme for young people to encourage inactive members of the public into sport

·        A series of sporting competitions between the Sports Villages culminating in the ‘East Hull Olympics’ in 2011.

The Pride of East Hull will also:

·     Provide a framework by which to measure the level of physical activities and the beneficial effects upon the health and poverty index of the community

·     Encourage schools to use more of the facilities in the community and provide an academic qualification in sports training through Hull College

·     Establish a community assembly of voluntary sports groups to determine the priority of resources and policies to secure a fitter and healthier community

·     Help deliver the Government’s offer of up to five hours of sport per week for all pupils - two hours delivered through high quality curricular physical exercise in schools, and three hours through a range of school, community and club providers. This would make East Hull one of the first areas in the country to meet this goal.

A major part of the plan will involve improving the health of local people by bringing the public, private and voluntary sector together to engage members of the public in community sport. 

Participation in sporting activity will increase through improvements to sports facilities, community centres, public spaces and schools. 

Other benefits would include a reduction in anti-social behaviour and obesity levels. The Foresight report revealed that nationally by 2050, 60 per cent of men and 50 per cent of women could be clinically obese and without action, obesity-related diseases will cost an extra £45.5 billion per year.

Mr Burnham said: “I believe sport has the power to change lives and reshape whole communities for the better, and that is why I am delighted to offer my support to the ‘Pride of East Hull’. 

“I believe it offers a solid platform for capitalising on investment in the city, with quality sport available for the many and not the few, and delivering a happier, healthier Hull as a result.”

John Prescott, who is an unpaid director at Hull KR and has recently lost more than a stone after taking up gym workouts, said: “Hull has a great sporting history, with both rugby teams in the Super League and our football team in the Premiership.

“We want to harness that sporting passion to make the people of East Hull healthier and happier. 

“I believe the Pride of East Hull Sports Strategy could be rolled out across Hull and beyond, helping transform other areas of the country where aspirations are low, deprivation is high and life-chances are poor.” 

Neil Hudgell, Chairman of Hull Kingston Rovers added:  “We are already engaged with in excess of 20,000 young people locally and have a variety of local groups and organisations share our facilities and resources here at Craven Park.

“’The Pride of East Hull’ further integrates key public and private sector partners to build on these health and well-being programmes in order to deliver something unique to the whole community. 

“I believe the Sports Strategy sets out a new model partnership to secure a fitter and healthier East Hull.“

To view the full document click on the PDF icon below or contact Rob Fuller at rob@prideofeasthull.com

To view a short film about the Pride of East Hull Sports Strategy Launch click here