Sport and physical activity is important for a whole range of reasons. Firstly, it is fun and secondly it maintains and improves the health of participants. It makes us feel good because it allows us to set and achieve personal challenges. It enables us to be part of a team and to meet and make friends. Sport and physical activity provide health benefits to those who take part and it reduces the impact upon the NHS. It can have a positive effect on educational attainment and on self-confidence and self-esteem.
Sport will be a significant feature over the next six years with the borough hosting the Olympic Games, in partnership with the other four Olympic boroughs, in 2012. Many of us will never forget the excitement and exhilaration on 6 July 2005 when Jacques Rogge announced that the London Olympic bid had been successful. But the hard work has only just started. Not only is there a massive building programme to be delivered, but we also need to find and support local talent who can compete for medals. We need to encourage more people to take part in sport and other forms of physical activity and we can achieve this through supporting local community sports clubs and associations to provide opportunities for all. We know that we have much left to do but we have already achieved some notable successes.
Download the Draft Waltham Forest Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, 2006-2012 
(94Kb PDF file)
