Agenda item

9.1

It was moved by Councillor Rob Bannister, and seconded by Councillor Ibby Ullah, that this Council:-

(a)      notes with immense pride the outstanding achievements of Sheffield athletes who represented Team GB at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris;

(b)      believes these athletes demonstrated extraordinary skill and dedication to compete in Paris;

(c)      recognises the invaluable contribution of Sheffield’s sporting infrastructure, training facilities, and local sporting communities in supporting these athletes on their journey to the world stage, noting that Sheffield is home to some of the best sporting facilities in the country, including the English Institute of Sport and Ponds Forge International Sports Centre;

(d)      notes with pride that Sheffield has long been a hub for Olympic and Paralympic development through hosting training sessions, national competitions, and creating pathways for athletes to succeed from grassroots to elite levels;

(e)      further notes with pride that Sheffield is home to GB Boxing, British Para Table Tennis, Para Badminton, Ice Hockey UK, British Ice Skating, Skateboard GB, and the City of Sheffield Diving Club, one of 5 British Diving national performance hubs;

(f)       believes that the success of Sheffield’s athletes reflects the city’s wider culture of inclusivity, perseverance, and ambition, and believes that Sheffield’s commitment to inclusivity in sports has been instrumental in ensuring that all athletes have opportunities to succeed;

in light of these achievements, resolves to:-

(g)      congratulate all Sheffield athletes and their coaches for their exceptional performances in the Paris 2024 Games;

(h)      support the Council’s Sport and Leisure Strategy (2023-2033) and our commitment to investing in an active Sheffield, to inspire people of all ages and abilities, and improve health and wellbeing through continued investment and promotion of sports infrastructure, from grassroots to elite level;

(i)       celebrate the city’s status as the Outdoor City, recognising the role that our parks and outdoor spaces play in promoting healthy, active lifestyles; and

(j)       wish all of our athletes and sporting clubs success for the upcoming year.

9.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Kurtis Crossland, and seconded by Councillor Richard Williams, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.       the addition, in paragraph (e), of the words “Goalball UK” after the words “Para Badminton”.

2.       the addition of a new paragraph (j) as follows, and the re-lettering of the original paragraph (j) as a new paragraph (k):-

(j)       reaffirm our commitment to addressing the differential in life expectancy across the city by promoting the Sports and Leisure Strategy and investing in sports and leisure buildings to provide access to high quality indoor and outdoor facilities for all residents of Sheffield;

9.3

It was then moved by Councillor Marieanne Elliot, and seconded by Councillor Brian Holmshaw, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.       the addition, in paragraph (a), of the words “and IOC Refugee Olympic Team” after the words “Team GB”.

2.       the addition of a new paragraph (h) as follows, and the re-lettering of the original paragraphs (h) to (j) as new paragraphs (i) to (k):-

(h)      celebrate the achievements of Cindy Ngumba, flagbearer for the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, who trains in Sheffield and won the Refugee Team's first medal;

9.4

After contributions from three other Members, and following a right of reply from Councillor Rob Bannister, the amendment moved by Councillor Kurtis Crossland was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

9.5

The amendment moved by Councillor Marieanne Elliot was then put to the vote and was also carried unanimously.

9.6

The original Motion, as amended, was then put to the vote as a Substantive Motion in the following form and was carried unanimously:-

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:  That this Council:-

(a)      notes with immense pride the outstanding achievements of Sheffield athletes who represented Team GB and IOC Refugee Olympic Team at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris;

(b)      believes these athletes demonstrated extraordinary skill and dedication to compete in Paris;

(c)      recognises the invaluable contribution of Sheffield’s sporting infrastructure, training facilities, and local sporting communities in supporting these athletes on their journey to the world stage, noting that Sheffield is home to some of the best sporting facilities in the country, including the English Institute of Sport and Ponds Forge International Sports Centre;

(d)      notes with pride that Sheffield has long been a hub for Olympic and Paralympic development through hosting training sessions, national competitions, and creating pathways for athletes to succeed from grassroots to elite levels;

(e)      further notes with pride that Sheffield is home to GB Boxing, British Para Table Tennis, Para Badminton, Goalball UK, Ice Hockey UK, British Ice Skating, Skateboard GB, and the City of Sheffield Diving Club, one of 5 British Diving national performance hubs;

(f)       believes that the success of Sheffield’s athletes reflects the city’s wider culture of inclusivity, perseverance, and ambition, and believes that Sheffield’s commitment to inclusivity in sports has been instrumental in ensuring that all athletes have opportunities to succeed;

in light of these achievements, resolves to:-

(g)      congratulate all Sheffield athletes and their coaches for their exceptional performances in the Paris 2024 Games;

(h)      celebrate the achievements of Cindy Ngumba, flagbearer for the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, who trains in Sheffield and won the Refugee Team's first medal;

(i)       support the Council’s Sport and Leisure Strategy (2023-2033) and our commitment to investing in an active Sheffield, to inspire people of all ages and abilities, and improve health and wellbeing through continued investment and promotion of sports infrastructure, from grassroots to elite level;

(j)       celebrate the city’s status as the Outdoor City, recognising the role that our parks and outdoor spaces play in promoting healthy, active lifestyles;

(k)      reaffirm our commitment to addressing the differential in life expectancy across the city by promoting the Sports and Leisure Strategy and investing in sports and leisure buildings to provide access to high quality indoor and outdoor facilities for all residents of Sheffield; and

(l)       wish all of our athletes and sporting clubs success for the upcoming year.