Background and Vision
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Background to establishment of SPARC
SPARC was established under the Sport and Recreation New Zealand Act 2002. Prior to this, New Zealand’s sport and recreation sector was led by several agencies, including the Hillary Commission (responsible for promoting sport, fitness and leisure), the Sports Foundation (responsible for funding high performance sport), and the Office for Sport and Tourism (responsible for policy).
Towards the end of the 1990s there was a growing concern that New Zealand was fast losing its way as a physically active and successful sporting nation.
It was recognised that sport and physical recreation play a critical role in New Zealand's economic, social, environmental and cultural development.
However, there was mounting evidence that we were losing the many benefits that being active and being successful at sport bring to the country, its communities and its citizens.
Recognising the importance of sport and physical recreation
These issues and challenges are not unique to New Zealand but are shared by most western democracies. Governments are increasingly recognising that our modern lifestyle is resulting in a number of long-term physical and social costs, and that these costs can be addressed well through a vibrant sport and physical recreation sector.
In New Zealand, there was an additional concern that there were too many agencies responsible for managing the Government's interest in the sport and recreation sector, and this was inhibiting the development of coherent policies.
The establishment of SPARC in January 2003 followed the recommendation of a Ministerial Taskforce on Sport, Fitness and Leisure that a new entity be established that would be capable of providing clear direction in shaping sport and recreation policy, providing increased levels of funding and leading change in sport and physical recreation.
Vision
SPARC’s vision for New Zealand
SPARC's vision for New Zealand is:
- to be the most active nation
- to be winning consistently in events that matter to New Zealand
- to have the most effective sport and physical recreation systems.
This Statement of Intent sets out how we will work with the sport and physical recreation sector and with the rest of Government to realise this vision.
SPARC would like to see all sport and physical recreation organisations operating effectively, individually and collectively, as part of a sport and physical recreation system that achieves outcomes that matter to New Zealanders.
To achieve this vision the sector will need:
- a high level of integration - regional and national coordination of policy, programmes, investment, administration, talent development and facilities, and
- a shared understanding of the role of sport and physical recreation organisations in providing New Zealanders with opportunities to explore, learn, participate, perform and excel.
SPARC's role in government
SPARC works with other government departments and agencies to ensure they understand the potential that sport and physical recreation offer as a means to achieve their objectives and outcomes. SPARC also assists them to engage with the sport and physical recreation sector to achieve their objectives and outcomes.
SPARC provides leadership in research and the development and implementation of evidence-based policies that recognise the importance of sport and physical recreation to New Zealand.
Contents | >> Next: SPARC's Functions, Governance and Management
Updated | 22 Mar 2007.
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