Healthy Stadia
"A healthy stadium is one which promotes the health of visitors, fans, players, employees and the surrounding community... it is a place where people can go to have a positive, healthy experience playing or watching sport and which promotes positive healthy living opportunities in its surrounding community."
Sport plays an important role within society. Sporting stadia are iconic venues which are in a powerful position to influence healthier lifestyles within their communities. Millions of people across Europe attend a sports stadium each week to watch their team, to work, or to use the stadium's facilities. The European Healthy Stadia Network (EHSN) is coordinated by the UK Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Charity, Heart of Mersey. Its aim is to support sports stadia to promote public health initiatives that both fans and staff can choose to buy into.
A number of sporting stadia in Cardiff were initially approached to gauge interest in joining the network. Following these discussions Cardiff City Stadium agreed to work with Cardiff Council Health Partnership Team and the Healthy Stadia Network to work towards Healthy Stadia status.
Following completion of the action plan the application was submitted to the EHSN. The strength of the application resulted in the Cardiff City Stadium being invited to join the Network in January 2010. This took place at the Healthy City launch event held at the stadium where the club was presented with a Healthy Stadia plaque and membership certificate by Mr Matthew Philpott (European Healthy Stadia Coordinator).
The aim of introducing the Healthy Stadia concept to the Cardiff City Stadium was a success. In becoming the first Welsh representatives of the Network the EHSN stated that "the application document and the interventions stated within it are some of the strongest we have received from a stadium".
The quality of the work produced has raised awareness of the EHSN within Cardiff and South Wales. Increased knowledge of the scheme has resulted in considering plans to extend the work of the EHSN.
Achieving Healthy Stadia Status
Dr. Matthew Philpott - European Healthy Stadia Coordinator
Briefing Paper - Healthy Stadia
Powerpoint Presentation - European Healthy Stadia Programme (22.3Mb)