We’re delighted to be able to build on the fantastic work of Access Sport to date so that every child in Oxfordshire can enjoy an active life.
 - Paul Brivio, CEO Active Oxfordshire

Access Sport Oxfordshire is a new collaboration between Active Oxfordshire and Access Sport.

Access Sport has been supporting children and young people in Oxford city since 2014. In response to fast-growing need, Access Sport Oxfordshire is now expanding across the county so that more children can benefit from inclusive sports opportunities

This programme comes at an important time and is vitally needed; COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on Oxfordshire’s children and young people, with: 

1 in 2 children not doing enough activity to protect their health and well-being, and nearly 1 in 5 children experiencing severe mental health difficulties.On top of this, only 34% of disabled children currently feel confident taking part in sports.

In response to this critical need, Access Sport Oxfordshire launched in February 2022 and will focus on: 

• Sporting opportunities for children and disabled young people
• Sports initiatives in the most disadvantaged areas of Oxfordshire
• Training and development of coaches and leaders, including new opportunities for young people to train as coaches.

Access Sport Oxfordshire will work with sports clubs and local communities to expand existing sports programmes and launch new ideas, with planned activities including inclusive athletics, BMXercise sessions and disability cycling.

 

Paul Brivio, Chief Executive at Active Oxfordshire, says:

Sport has the power to transform young lives, by improving mental health, physical health and life chances. But too many children still don’t have the opportunities they deserve, and Access Sport Oxfordshire will help to change this by bringing inclusive sports to young people facing disadvantage right across the county. We’re delighted to be able to build on the fantastic work of Access Sport to date so that every child in Oxfordshire can enjoy an active life.

 

Helen Rowbotham, Chief Executive at Access Sport, commented:

Access Sport’s vision is that no one should be excluded from the transformational benefits of community sport, but we can’t achieve this alone. Our success is dependent on our ability to find and work effectively with partner organisations, local community clubs and volunteers that share our goals. We are therefore excited to be expanding our work with Active Oxfordshire, who share our passion for inclusive sport. Together, we look forward to supporting more young people to access the benefits of community sport than ever before.

 

Mark Beard, High Sheriff in Nomination for Oxfordshire starting April 2022, is generously supporting Access Sport Oxfordshire. Mark says:

Sport has been central to my life since I was a young child; it has given me purpose, enjoyment and friends. I very much hope Access Sport Oxfordshire will open up similar opportunities to a wide variety of young people in our county and that they grasp these new opportunities.

To find out more about Access Sport Oxfordshire, please visit the Access Sport Oxfordshire webpage