The Forum has been in existence since 2004 and has recently been recognised by Sport England as a Community Sport Network (CSN). A CSN is a network of local agencies from a range of organisations all with a contribution to make to the delivery of sport and physical activity.

The core functions of a CSN are:

• Increasing participation in sport & physical activity
• Widening access to opportunities to be active
• Bringing together and aligning partners existing priorities and targets within one joined up local vision based on the needs of the communities

The Forum aims to deliver the strategic objectives and recommendations contained within the Active Middlesbrough Strategy. The 6 objectives are:

1. To increase the awareness of the value of physical activity and sport and the availability to participate.
2. To address and remove the key barriers which prevent people from participating in physical activity and sport.
3. To increase and improve the quality of accessible facilities and opportunities to participate in physical activity and sport.
4. To improve and quality and quantity of people across Middlesbrough to further develop physical activity and sporting opportunities.
5. To promote the value and benefits of physical activity and sport through partnership working with the Local Authority, Health agencies, Voluntary and Commercial Sectors.
6. To improve and further develop effective data collection systems to inform decision making processes and assist in the setting and measuring of key targets contained within the strategy.

You can view the full strategy by clicking on the link below.

Active Middlesbrough Strategy

The structure of the Forum has a strategic group and several operational sub groups. Cllr Brenda Thompson, Executive Member for Public Health and Sport, chairs the Forum.

The key strategic partners are:

• Middlesbrough Council
• Middlesbrough PCT
• Teesside University
• Middlesbrough College
• Middlesbrough Football Club in the Community
• Middlesbrough School Sports Partnership
• Sports Clubs (represented by Middlesbrough Swimming Club)
• Tees Valley Sport
• Healthy Towns

The key community partners include:

• Sport Clubs & National Governing Bodies of sport
• Physical activities providers
• Disability groups
• BME Forums
• Community venues
• Community Councils & Community groups
• StreetGames