Sport and Leisure Development Services
Sport and Leisure Development Services (SLDS) encompasses an array of services with a common theme of sport and physical activity, which aim to improve the quality of life for the people of Walsall. There are essentially five delivery teams within the service which can be summarised as follows:
Health and Fitness
Working as the strategic lead to develop physical activity for the tPCT, this team’s goal is to identify those who currently do not meet physical activity recommendations or those for whom physical activity would improve, or even just reduce the risk of potential medical conditions. The team works both through direct delivery and also by engaging partners. Activities include exercise consultation on referral, specialised exercise sessions, and Walsall Active Youth, an innovative programme to address young people’s obesity levels.
Sport Specific Development and Coaching
This team deals with what can be considered traditional sports development; with a team of sport specific development officers running a range of curricular, extra-curricular and community coaching schemes. The team also creates player pathways and competitive opportunities for athletes. The team also facilitates a range of sport specific development groups and delivers our sports club development service. This team also manages capital sports projects.
Outdoor Pursuits
This team delivers outdoor adventure activities to schools, both within and outside curriculum time and to community groups and members of the public. The service is now based at the new, purpose built Aldridge Airport Outdoor Activities & Environmental Learning Centre (dry activities), and in addition, delivers water based activities at Sneyd Water Activities Centre. The service delivers a wide range of on and off-site outdoor pursuits activities for all ages and abilities, including those with special needs.
Behavioural Improvement and Inclusion
This team aims to use sport to address antisocial behaviour and educational disengagement. The alternative curriculum programme takes pupils on referral who are struggling in a mainstream education environment and teaches a range of skills leading to nationally recognised GCSE equivalent qualifications. The Street Safe Sports programme takes sport into local communities in hot spots of antisocial behaviour and neighbourhood nuisance.
Narrowboats
We are also responsible for managing and operating two narrowboats. These are operated as trip boats but mainly act as venues for the alternative curriculum and antisocial behaviour programmes.
Contact us
For more information please contact us at:
Sport and Leisure Development Services
Library Building
Walsall Street
Willenhall
WV13 2EX
Telephone 01902 605500
Fax 01902 605752
Email sportsdev@walsall.gov.uk