VOA is planning to create an opportunity to enable local youngsters to participate in physical activities and sport, no matter size or ability. Since the last fund we have and increasing requests from local children who wanted activities outside of cricket and football. There is a large group of youth who feel they have no sporting skill and therefore do not participate, we feel that everyone can do something and has some ability. This project will ensure that the youth participating get the full flavour and opportunity of a variety of sports. We want to ensure that every young person has an opportunity to explore what they want to do and not make them feel forced to participate or join a team. When asked why they play sports, here's what they said:

• To have fun
• To improve their skills
• To learn new skills
• To be with their friends
• To make new friends
• To succeed or win
• To become physically fit

Health and fitness is important to the future of the area and investing in the health of the youth we can help combat the health problems in the community.

Why?

• The death rates from coronary heart disease and stroke among South Asian population in the UK are 40 per cent higher than in the general population.
• Diabetes is about five times more common in South Asians than the general population. Late onset diabetes is a condition that can be improved by regular participation in physical activity.

• Activity levels among South Asian women aged between 16 and 74 vary: 83 per cent of Indians, 86 per cent of Pakistanis and 82 per cent of Bangladeshis do not take part in enough physical activity to benefit their health, compared with about two thirds (68 per cent) of women in the general population.

• Among South Asian men aged between 16 and 74, about two thirds (67 per cent) of Indians, and three quarters of Pakistanis (72 per cent) and Bangladeshis (75 per cent) do not take part in enough physical activity to benefit their health, compared with 59 per cent of the general population.

• About half of all South Asian women aged between 16 and 74 years (47 per cent of Indians, 50 per cent of Pakistanis and 53 per cent of Bangladeshis) are sedentary. These rates are much higher than for the general female population (24 per cent).

• Among South Asian men aged between 16 and 74, just over a third (38 per cent) of Indians and half (47 per cent) of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis (50 per cent) are sedentary compared with 23 per cent of the male general population.

• The recommended amount of physical activity is to participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on at least five days a week.

Key Issues of barriers to physical activity

Perceived barriers to physical activity for Black and Ethnic minorities are often shared within the white population (e.g. lack of time). There are, however, ranges of cultural and religious issues which, whilst not perceived as actively preventing participation do present barriers and affect the manner of participation - (e.g. single gender provision and dress codes for South Asian people)

However, the main barriers identified by Black and South Asian groups in relation to facilities were:

• Availability, cost and opening hours
• Fears of personal safety in public open spaces
• Absence of other people from one's own community using the facilities
• Concerns about not fitting in (i.e. facilities seen as for slim and fit people)
• Actual or potential experience of racism
• Specific issues identified by South Asian respondents
• Dress codes
• Lack of privacy in changing areas
• Lack of single gender provision
• Attitudes and beliefs regarding physical activity

Aims and Objectives

VOA sees this project as a process to engage young people in new opportunities and challenging experiences. Over the course of the creation of this sustainable youth provision; new and challenging opportunities will be provided which enable young people to:

• Take part in physical activities
• Take part in an exciting and varied programme of activities and be involved in the planning processes
• Challenge their attitudes and facilitate learning about a healthy lifestyle
• Experience and take part in new sporting activities and events, which could lead to individuals wanting to learn about other experiences.
• Take leading roles in the creation of community sporting activities
• Take part in sporting activity and physical exercise no matter what level of fitness or ability

Whatever the participants chooses to do we are aiming to encourage them to create a foundation to become a fit, healthy and happy adult. We hope to show to the youth that fitness fun can be a way of life. In addition to physical benefits, playing in teams or pairs teaches children about:

• Accepting feedback
• Commitment
• Discipline
• Fairness
• Following directions
• Interacting with others
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Develop new skills and confidence
• Have the opportunity to learn and pursue activities which they enjoy
• Learn how to manage their own health and lifestyle; this empowerment has the potential for the youth advising other young people and adults in the community
• Improve and develop awareness and understanding, through the learning of new skills and knowledge
• Develop the confidence and enthusiasm through the participation of new activities required to take risks, with the necessary support and advice
• Improve their fitness.

The outcomes will be judged by using personal fitness/lifestyle diaries and feedback forms, which each participant will have the opportunity to complete if they wish. The main measure of success will be a record of regular attendance by the youth, which shows that they are away from other temptations.

Programme of Activities

The activities listed below can be enjoyed by all regardless of gender, ability or background. Also many of them can be sustained with a continued minimum investment. There are a variety of venues in the local area at which these activities can be held at, depending on time, weather and accessibility we will be using all venues accordingly.

• Walking groups – create a competition to see who can walk the furthest over a period of a year
• Badminton
• Tennis
• Swimming – Newtown swimming baths
• Kabbadi* -
• Volleyball
• Football
• Cricket
• Netball
• Basketball
• Table Tennis

(* Kabbadi originates from the Punjab region of the North West of India. It is a form of wrestling or tag, involving two teams of seven players divided into ‘raiders' and ‘defenders'. The game, consisting of two 20-minute halves, involves the teams battling for points by touching or capturing players of the opposing team. Kabaddi is an effective tool in encouraging integration between different communities. This is done by using the popularity of Kabaddi as a means of diverting young people from self-destructive
and anti-social behaviour and thus providing opportunities for young people to engage in positive activities, focusing on participation, social and personal development and enjoyment rather than purely on Kabaddi skill or ability. Kabaddi delivered in a sound ethical framework can engender self-respect, self-esteem, and confidence and leadership abilities .)