Food & Health Alliance

Sports Strategy for Scotland:

Reaching Higher is the sports strategy for Scotland and sets out the long-term aims and objectives for sport until 2020, planning for its delivery and evaluation.

While Reaching Higher, recognises the wider agenda within which sport operates, it focuses solely on the development of sport. The strategy for physical activity Let’s Make Scotland More Active, locates sport as one element of the wider physical activity spectrum.

The Vision of Reaching Higher:

Reaching Higher focuses on the promotion, delivery, playing and enjoyment of sport. Key to this is developing a culture where sport is valued for the pleasure and quality it brings to people's lives and for the pride and recognition it brings to Scotland. While Reaching Higher is primarily about the improvement and development of Scottish sport, it must be recognised that sport has the potential to contribute to and complement work in a range of other areas. These include:

• physical wellbeing, including tackling obesity;
• mental wellbeing, contributing to improved self esteem and confidence;
• building strong, vibrant and cohesive communities;
• closing the opportunity gap and increasing participation amongst the most disadvantaged groups;
• providing diversionary activities particularly in the most disadvantaged communities;
• supporting rural communities by providing a forum for social interaction and in attracting visitors;
• promoting sustainable forms of transport such as cycling and walking;
• promoting volunteering; and
• enhancing the economy and tourism opportunities.

Sport can achieve this vision of wide ranging benefits for individuals and communities.