The British Paralympic Committee (BPA) has published its latest five-year strategy, which places the emphasis on continued elite success and principles of good governance.
Inspiring Excellence covers the five-year period between 2016 and 2021, taking into account planning for the upcoming Rio 2016 Paralympics, the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang and Tokyo 2020.
The strategy has highlighted four areas of priority: delivering a ‘best prepared’ approach to the Paralympic Games; to positively influence the impact of the Paralympic movement; to demonstrate the positive power of the Paralympic brand; and “maintain the effectiveness” of the BPA’s governance structures.
Of the former, the document reveals the aim of developing an “optimal Games preparation strategy” which helps athletes perform to their peak levels during important tournaments.
Team GB won 120 medals at London 2012 and is looking to
better that this summer in Brazil, and the BPA is keen to see that success continue with “world-class” operational, technical and logistical support contributing to on-field achievement.
In terms of governance, the BPA has highlighted the need to balance its income more by 2020/21, with funds expected to come from a variety of sources including commercial sponsorship, public fundraising, philanthropy, charitable trusts and public sector funding streams.
The document also alludes to creating more attractive salaries and conditions to “invest in world-class individuals” and “attract the best talent and retain staff that have both the skills and value to deliver”.
Tim Hollingsworth, BPA chief executive, said the strategy was designed to “use lessons learned from London, Sochi and Rio in order to ensure that we are best prepared for the challenges and opportunities of competing over the next four years”.
“We recognise the unique opportunity our Paralympic teams provide to unite and inspire disabled and non-disabled people alike and further shift perceptions,” he added. “But we know there is still a long way to go and we remain in the foothills rather than at the summit.”
Sports minister Tracey Crouch said: “Sport has an incredible power to do social good and I welcome the BPA’s commitment to using excellence on the field of play as a catalyst for positive changes off it.”
To read the full report, click
here.
