Government of Bermuda. Ministry of Community and Cultural Development. House of Assembly BUDGET BRIEF Monday, 4 th March 2013

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1 Government of Bermuda Ministry of Community and Cultural Development House of Assembly BUDGET BRIEF Monday, 4 th March 2013 Presented by The Hon. R. Wayne Scott, JP MP Minister of Community and Cultural Development The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation 1

2 Mr. Chairman, I will now focus on the 2013/14 estimates of expenditure and revenues for Head 20, the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation, which are found on pages B-235 to B-241 of the Estimates Book. Mr. Chairman, the estimates of revenue of seven hundred and eleven thousand dollars ($711,000) and expenditure of eleven million, six hundred sixty-one thousand, eight hundred and fifty-two dollars ($11,661,852) for the Department of Youth, Sport & Recreation provided in this budget is for nine (9) programmes. The total estimated revenue for the upcoming year is seven hundred and eleven thousand dollars ($711,000) a decrease of twenty-two percent (22%) from last year, while the estimated level of expenditure is eleven million, six hundred sixty-one thousand, eight hundred and fifty-two dollars ($11,661,852), which is three hundred ninety-one thousand, nine hundred and ninety-one dollars ($390,991) less than last year s budget allocation of twelve million, fifty-two thousand, eight hundred and forty-eight dollars ($12,052,848), which is a decrease of three percent (3%). The Department also has a capital acquisitions budget of forty-six thousand, five hundred dollars ($46,500) and a capital development budget of nine hundred thirty-three thousand, six hundred dollars ($933,600). 2

3 The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation is responsible for nine (9) programmes including Administration; Sport Development; Sports Incentives and Awards; Sport Facilities Management; Youth Development; Community Centres; Camping; School Age Activities; and the After School Programme. Mr. Chairman, a large proportion of the budgeted five million, five hundred ninety-one thousand, nine hundred and forty-five dollars ($5,591,945) is budgeted for wages and salaries for one hundred and sixteen (116) public servants, industrial and part-time workers. A total of two million, five hundred thirty-two thousand, six hundred and sixtynine dollars ($2,532,669) has been allocated to sports grants. This represents a decrease of two hundred thirty-two thousand, three hundred and thirty-one dollars ($232,331) from the previous year. The remainder of the budget provides funding for existing programmes such as Sports Development, Sports Incentives and Awards Programme, Sports Facility Management Programme, Youth Development, Community Centres, Camping, School- Age Activities and After- School Programmes. Mr. Chairman, administratively the Department is responsible for nine (9) programmes which are as follows: Administration Sport Development Sports Incentives and Awards 3

4 2004. Sport Facilities Management Youth Development Community Centres Afterschool Programme Camping School Age Activities Mr. Chairman, I will now discuss the detailed business of the Department of Youth Sport and Recreation, by cost centres and under the appropriate programmes. Programme 2001 Administration (page B-236) Mr. Chairman, the objective of this Programme is to advance amateur sport, recreation and youth development for all from leisure activity to athletic excellence, and to strengthen the significant contribution that these initiatives make towards the enhancement of the quality of life for the total community. Mr. Chairman, the budget for the general Administration section is one million, four hundred thirty-eight thousand, seven hundred and sixty-two dollars ($1,438,762). These funds provide for the administration and operations of the Department of Youth, Sport & Recreation s 4

5 headquarters located in the F.B. Perry Building on Church Street, Hamilton. This estimate sustains the Department s administrative staff salaries and wages, staff training, office rent, programme advertising, communications, materials and supplies. The Administration section provides administrative support for the other eight (8) programmes within the Department. Mr. Chairman, this section is responsible for the monitoring of the departmental spending to ensure that the proper policies and procedures are adhered to so that tax-payers money is used as effectively and as efficiently as possible. Programme 2002 Sport Development (page B-236) Mr. Chairman, the objectives of this programme is to work with community sports clubs to establish a national system of effective sports development and management; to work with community sports clubs to encourage family and community use of sports facilities; to support the creation of a system for local coaches to provide specialized instruction and to support, through grants, community organizations concerned with sport. 5

6 Mr. Chairman, this programme estimate provides of two million, six hundred forty-two thousand, one hundred and sixty-nine (2,642,169) for a number of Government sports initiatives, including the annual grants for the National Sports Governing Bodies, the 2013 NatWest Island Games and the Bermuda Sports Anti Doping Authority in the amount of two million, one hundred thirty-two thousand, six hundred and sixty-nine dollars ($2,132,669). In addition, there are funds for the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000), and a Government grant of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the National Sailing and Swimming programmes. The sum of fifty-nine thousand, five hundred dollars ($59,500) has been allocated to cover costs related to local training, recreational services and supplies, sports promotion travel cost and Bermuda Day. Programme 2003 Sports Incentives and Awards (page B-236) Mr. Chairman, the objective of this programme is consistent with the Departments mission and were the focus is on support and the recognition of significant annual sports achievements and contributions; programs that permanently chronicle, acknowledge and memorialize the outstanding performances and contributions of Bermudians in Sport, as well as programs and activities that support high performances athletes, and junior development initiatives. 6

7 Mr. Chairman, this programme provides encouragement and incentives to our athletes, both senior and junior, to strive for excellence in their personal development. An estimate of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is provided to the Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) for the benefit of those athletes meeting the required standards to receive assistance from this fund. This programme is managed by the BOA who prescribes the requirement for athletes to receive funding having met a local A, B or C standard in their development. Junior athletes are provided assistance through the Junior Athlete Sponsorship Fund and fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) is provided to one (1) athlete per sport who is presented to the Department as the most promising junior athlete in their sport who should be exposed to overseas training, coaching or competition to enhance his/her further development. Programme 2004 Sport Facilities Management (page B-236) Mr. Chairman, the objective of this programme is to focus the Department s support on the acquisition, development, maintenance, administration and operation of public sport and recreation facilities, and to assist with the upgrading of sport and recreation facilities. The budget allocation for 2013/14 is: Sports Facilities $1,344,374 WMC Preece Softball Stadium $ 141,366 WER Tennis Stadium $ 321,657 Motor Sport Park $ 69,000 7

8 Sports Community Fields $ 82,188 Total allocation: $1,958,588 Mr. Chairman, this estimate provides funding for the National Sports Centre s operational grant of six hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($650,000). The additional six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) is allocated for the operation and maintenance of the Aquatics Centre, which will be functional later this year. This funding will also provide for the maintenance of the Department s recreational fields. These costs include eighty-two thousand, one hundred and eighty-eight dollars ($82,188) for cleaning supplies, trash receptacles, trash bags, field marking paint, agricultural supplies and specialized equipment needed for the upkeep of these facilities. Mr. Chairman, note should be made of the increase of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to allow the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation to address maintenance needs to government s community fields. The WMC Preece Softball Stadium estimate of one hundred forty-one thousand, three hundred and sixty-six dollars ($141,366) provides for one (1) full time and one (1) part-time employee to maintain the grounds and includes materials, supplies and electricity. The WER Joell Tennis Stadium employs three (3) full time and four (4) part-time employees. Maintenance materials, supplies, electricity 8

9 including flood lights are also included in this estimate of three hundred, twenty-one thousand, six hundred and fifty-seven dollars ($321,657). Mr. Chairman, the following information is a summarized report on the events that took place within the Sports Development Section during the calendar year. The year started off on a very positive note despite the economic challenges. This section of the Department received a total budget allocation in 2012/13 of four million, one hundred fifty-nine thousand, three hundred and seventy-four dollars ($4,159,374). However, Mr. Chairman, when looking at these figures closely, it is important to note that two million, eight hundred and fifteen thousand, dollars ($2, ) has been assigned to the Department grants process. These funds were allotted to (20) twenty National Sports Governing Bodies. Cricket and football combined received a total of six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000). The 2012 CARIFTA Games and the NatWest Island Games combined received eight hundred and ninety-one thousand dollars ($891,000). The Bermuda Sports Anti Doping Authority received six hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($650,000). When reviewing these five (5) grant allocations; it represents sixty-seven percent (67%) of the grant allotment. The sum of six hundred and seventy-four thousand dollars ($674,000) was allotted to the other 9

10 eighteen (18) National Sports Governing Bodies (NSGB). This represents twenty-four percent (24%) of the grant allotment. Mr. Chairman, despite these challenges, the Department was able to assist those NSGB s that actually applied for funding. Under the strict control of the Sports Development section, the Department continues to ensure that the funds allotted to the NSGB s were used for the development of Bermuda s junior athletes. In addition to the grant process they were able to provide funding to the Bermuda Sports Anti Doping Authority for Drug Free Sports. This agency under the control of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) is probably one of the most important financial items within the Sports Development section. WADA s function as outlined in their mission statement is to provide for the coordinating, development and implementation of programs and policies associated with achieving a sporting environment, free of illicit substance abuse, including counselling, research, education, appeals and arbitration. Mr. Chairman, without the functional presence of this organization in Bermuda, it would simply mean that as a country would not be able to participate in any international sporting events abroad or be able to host any international sporting events locally. 10

11 Mr. Chairman, this year marked the thirty-first (31 st ) Anniversary of the Government s Sports Awards. This year, the Sports Awards Committee selected a male and female senior and junior athlete of the year; seven (7) athletes received achievement awards and one (1) special recognition award. In addition to these awards, the Department presented fourteen (14) junior athletes with sponsorship awards to assist in their sports development. In conjunction with the Bermuda National Athletics Association (BNAA) formerly the Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA), the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation played a major role in supporting the forty-first (41 st ) Lime CARIFTA Games. This event brought the country together during these hard economic times. The island was thrilled as young Justin Donawa captured a gold medal in the Under seventeen (17) boy s triple jump, the first (1 st ) in ten (10) years Mr. Chairman, during the budget year, the Department intends to continue focusing on the development of our athletes by supporting their National Sports Governing Bodies. The role the National Sports Governing Bodies play is paramount in the development of our senior and junior athletes. The Department also plans to host a conference and workshop that will amplify the importance of good governance in the sporting arena, particularly with community clubs. The Department will continue to work with other government agencies to maintain the Department s sporting and recreational facilities, as it is 11

12 important to address the conditions of Bermuda s facilities. If we develop our facilities, we will raise the standards of our athletes and this is critical if we wish to see our athletes reach the highest levels. Mr. Chairman, the Department will continue to host sporting events, for example this year the WER Joell Tennis Stadium in conjunction with the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association will host the ITF Junior Tennis Championship in June. This event will see the best junior tennis players in the region compete for honours. The NatWest Island Games will also be hosted in Bermuda and again we will witness the true spirit of sportsmanship and competition. Mr. Chairman, the Department will also attempt to finalize their presentation of the Sports and Recreation Policy. It is their plan to meet with the major stakeholders and obtain feedback that will lead to a policy that fosters a new generation for sports in Bermuda. Mr. Chairman, the Youth Development Programme (2005) consists of: Youth Development Administration; Youth Services Development; and Youth Grants. 12

13 The Youth Development section is headed by the Senior Youth Development Officer who manages eighteen (18) full time staff and approximately ninety-one (91) part-time staff. Mr. Chairman, this section overseas the development and delivery of youth services to both government and private sectors. The section is guided by a strength based approach to youth development and utilizes the forty (40) Developmental Assets and Character Counts models to support its programmes. Workshops, conferences and other promotions are used to spread the positive message of youth development in the community, during 2012/13 a total of 9 (nine) workshops were conducted by the in-house Youth, Sport and Recreation trainers. The youth programme delivers in-house services through the afterschool programme and the Community Centres and provides external support to the youth service sector through the Youth Grants and Youth Services cost centres. Mr. Chairman, the budget allocation for 2013/14 for this programme is Youth Development Administration $355,646 Youth Grants $178,907 Youth Services $ 81,153 Mr. Chairman, the Youth Development section includes salaries to support the Youth Development units full time staff, afterschool 13

14 programme support staff, and special events such as the annual Summer Fest and Winter Fest programmes as well as a budget to prepare staff for the challenge of developing young people. This cost centre ensures that the staff and the stakeholders we serve are provided with sound and effective administrative support. Mr. Chairman, with regards to Youth Grants the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation continues to support youth and families in the community through vital funding for Youth Services agencies. An application process, terms and condition and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) documents are combined with mid-term reports and checks to ensure the grants are being used in the most effective and efficient manner. Mentor Agencies, Uniform Service Agencies, Faith Based Initiatives and Community Youth Support Groups are examples of agencies being supported by the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation. A reduction of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in funding for 2013/14 has occurred due to the challenging economic conditions being faced on the island. This leaves the Youth Grant budget at one hundred seventy-eight thousand, nine hundred and seven dollars ($178,907). However, the Youth Development unit is also able to offer in-kind services of character training, strategic planning assistance and collaborative facilitation with a hope to offset this loss in funding. 14

15 Mr. Chairman, Youth Services promotes the development and advancement of youth services agencies both within government and the private sector. These funds support workshops, conferences and the promotion of positive youth issues. Youth policy development is overseen by the senior officer within this unit. The reduction of funds in this cost centre is related to the removal of redundant posts as per the directions from the Ministry of Finance for 2013/14 budget process. 15