Leisure, recreation and sports
We are currently half way through the ten-year Leisure and Health Strategy. In May 2013, we completed a review of our progress to date and the Council Executive approved the updated aims and priorities for delivery over the next five years. You can download a copy of the updated Leisure and Health Strategy here (
pdf 602kb).The overall aim of the Leisure and Health Strategy is to achieve greater participation in healthy activities. The Leisure Team has been working on the following projects to achieve this overall goal:
Current Projects, Events and Provision
- Ilfracombe Artificial Grass Pitch Project - Awaiting Funding Decision.
- Sports Pitch Provision and Hire (Rock Park, Tarka Tennis Centre and Brimlands) - Provision Active
- Park School Community Sports Facilities (Astroturf and Sports Hall) - Provision Active
- Devon Games to Inspire (GTI), Sunday 14 July 2013 - County Youth Sports Competition, with each Local Authority entering teams to represent the district.
- Goldcoast Oceanfest Schools Day, Friday 21 June 2013 - Year 6 students from schools across North Devon and Torridge are invited to enjoy a day jam packed with fun sports activities on Croyde Beach.
- School's Out!, Summer Holiday Activity Programme, July and August 2013 - Sports, Arts and Cultural activities for young people.
- Barnstaple Weekly Park Run - Provision Active
Would you like to hear about more events or tell everyone about what you are up to? If the answer is yes, visit our Facebook page
and click 'like this' to receive our news feeds and write on our wall.
and click 'like this' to receive our news feeds and write on our wall.Recently Completed Events and Facility Projects
- Falcons Gymnastics Academy Relocation to Tarka Tennis Centre - Completed August 2012.
- Olympic Torch Relay (Day 3) and Inspired Events (North Devon) - Complete May 2012.
- North Devon Leisure Centre Refurbishment - Completed April 2012.
- Oxford Park Playground, Ilfracombe - Completed April 2011
- Benricks Skate Park, Ilfracombe - Completed November 2010
- Slade Park Playground, Ilfracombe - Completed April 2010
- Rock Park Skate Park, Barnstaple - Completed April 2009
Current or recent sports development projects
- Active Villages - a project to deliver low costs sports activities for young people and adults in twenty+ villages in North Devon; due to start in Autumn 2011
- Sportivate - a project to provide low cost sports opportunities for young people aged 14 to 25; due to start in Winter 2011
- Northern Devon Cycling Project - a project that drew down £98k of external funding to purchase a fleet of mountain bikes for school and community use in North Devon and Torridge - finished July 2011
Club and coach development opportunities
- Active Devon are hosting a Club Support Evening at Barnstaple Rugby Club on Thursday 13 June 2013.
- Sports clubs can register with the Active Devon Sports Club Directory so that they can receive information on current funding streams and attract new members
- Rate relief for sports clubs if you are an amateur club and own your own facilities you can claim rate relief
- Community councillor grants - your district councillor has £1,000 available to help community groups in North Devon
- Clubmark - is a new initiative from Sport England; by achieving Clubmark status, a club is easily recognised as an English sports club dedicated to delivering the highest standards of coaching
- Sports coaches can register to be on the Active Devon Sports Coaching Register so that they can receive employment and voluntary opportunities, funding assistance with coaching courses and up to date news.
- Sports Club Development & Coach Education - information of coaching courses and courses for committee members.
- Child protection when organising group activities
Current or recent strategies and plans to support development in North Devon
- Open Space Development Action Plans - Projects that have been identified to be delivered in North Devon using developer contributions from Section 106 agreements.
- Open Space Strategy - Creation and Enhancement of Playing/Sports Areas in North Devon.
- In April 2008, North Devon Council adopted its Leisure and Health Strategy (pdf 647 kB) . The strategy outlines the key objectives for the authority up to 2018.
Contact information
Parks, Leisure and Culture team
Property and Technical Services
North Devon Council
Civic Centre
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1EA
Telephone: 01271 318533
For Typetalk: precede with 18001
Email: sports@northdevon.gov.uk
Facebook: 'Like' the Sports and Leisure in North Devon page
Join the conversation on Twitter
Compliment, complaint or suggestion? Your feedback
Our office hours are 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.
