DEVELOPMENT AGENDA PRIORITY S: Monetizing sports and outdoor recreation.
About priority S
- Monetizing sports and outdoor recreation acknowledge the past professional achievements of Tobago’s sportsmen and women, both regionally and internationally, as well as the potential of Tobago’s current and future sporting talents to build on those accomplishments. It also highlights the opportunities to develop Tobago’s outdoor and indoor recreational spaces in line with international standards.
- Therefore, priority S focuses on identifying opportunities that can act as a catalyst for investing in sports infrastructure, including outdoor and indoor active and passive recreational spaces.
- Investing in sports infrastructure and recreational spaces will provide the high-quality facilities needed to support a centre of excellence for sports and develop a pathway for harnessing Tobago’s talented athletes through an amateur-to-professional sports pipeline.
- By concentrating on priority S, Tobago can effectively capitalize on the contributions of sports and outdoor recreation to economic development by enhancing the island’s overall appeal as a vibrant destination for sports and outdoor enthusiasts.
Primary performance benchmark: Priority S
- Benchmark: Increase the contribution of competitive sports to at least 2% of GDP by 2035 and at least 5% by 2045.
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Indicator of progress/success: Percent increase in the contribution of competitive sports to GDP year-over-year.
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Benchmark country: Jamaica.
Major concerns: Priority S.
| Concerns | Problem Statements |
| Contribution of sports to GDP | a. Low contribution of sports to the GDP of Tobago’s economy. |
| Amateur to professional pipeline | b. The lack of policy linkages between amateur and professional sport. |
| Facilities for high-performance training | c. The inadequacy of sporting facilities to support high-performance training for sportsmen and women. |
| Facilities to support international events | d. The inadequacy of sporting facilities to host international events. |
1.0 Selected Focus Areas Priority S?
The Division of Community Development, Sport, and Youth Development will leverage Tobago’s sporting talents and recreational landscapes by establishing a unit to monetize sports and outdoor spaces, focusing on the following areas:
- Sports Tourism:
- Host International Events: Attract major international water sports events and other sporting competitions to Tobago to enhance the local economy and generate revenue through event hosting, ticket sales, and related services.
- Promote Sports Tourism: Promote Tobago as a destination for sports tourism, emphasizing its natural beauty and facilities.
- Outdoor Recreation:
- Strengthen Recreation Clubs and Facilities: Invest in developing and strengthening the administrative capacity of recreation clubs, and the aesthetics and usability of theme parks, and outdoor facilities to attract both locals and tourists.
- Promote Health and Wellness: Promote outdoor activities and their health and wellness benefits to attract a wider tourism demographic, including those interested in fitness and well-being. This will lead to increased participation and spending on outdoor recreation.
- Digital Marketing:
- Digital Content Creation: Create and monetize digital content related to sports and outdoor activities in Tobago, including highlight reels, behind-the-scenes footage, and player interviews, creating opportunities through advertising, subscription, and merchandise sales.
- Social Media Engagement: Utilize social media platforms to connect with fans, promote events, and sell merchandise, establishing an avenue for building community loyalty and driving revenue through various digital channels.
- Global Reach:
- International Partnerships: Form partnerships with international sports organizations, broadcasters, and sponsors to enhance the global reach of Tobago's sports and outdoor events, enticing international participants and viewers.
- Streaming and Digital Media: Use digital streaming platforms to broadcast sports events and outdoor activities, providing additional revenue opportunities through online viewership and sponsorships.
- Revenue Streams:
- Merchandise Sales: Develop and sell branded merchandise associated with sports clubs, sports, and outdoor activities, including apparel, accessories, and memorabilia, to create an additional revenue stream and enhance brand loyalty.
- Sponsorship and Advertising: Secure corporate sponsorships and advertising agreements for sports events and outdoor activities, including stadium naming rights, jersey sponsorships, and event partnerships, to provide opportunities for significant revenue and exposure.
- Community Engagement:
- Local Events and Festivals: Organize and support local sports events and outdoor festivals to attract residents and tourists, generating revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and vendor fees.
- Youth and Grassroots Programs: Invest in youth and grassroots sports programs to encourage participation in sports while also developing future talent that can be monetized by exporting young Tobago athletes to professional leagues, both regionally and internationally.
- Community Involvement: Engage local communities in the planning and execution of sports and outdoor events. This approach will ensure that the benefits of these activities are shared fairly among community members, fostering a sense of ownership and pride.
MAIN REFERENCE INFORMATION
- National Sport Policy Of Trinidad And Tobago
- Sport Culture Key to Development
- Report of the Auditor General of Trinidad and Tobago: on a special audit of the operations of the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago.
- Sport Tourism Sub-Policy of Trinidad and Tobago
- Sports tourism can help develop Tobago’s economy
- SPORTT and TTL sign MOU to strengthen sports tourism ties
- An opportunity for growth Lewis: NSOs must be entrepreneurs, attract sponsorship and investment
- The Importance of Golf in Tobago for Youths and Adults: A Pathway to Sports Tourism
OTHER INFORMATION
Targets and Indicators of Progress/Success
Target-S-1
By 2026, establish the policy framework for monetizing major sports, including cricket, football, volleyball, netball and other sports by 2026.
Indicator-S-1
Implement the recommendations of the policy framework to monetize sports by 2026.
Target-S-2
By 2026, establish within the Division of Community Development, Youth Development, and Sport the Sports Development and Marketing Unit, with responsibility for monetizing sports.
Indicator-S-2
Operationalize the Sports Development and Marketing Unit by 2026.
Target-S-3
Establish the Tobago Games as an annual event to identify talented young men and women in various sporting disciplines by 2026.
Indicator-S-3
Host the inaugural edition of the Tobago Games by 2026.
Target-S-4
Partner with the private sector to establish a Sports Internship Program by 2026 to harness and develop young Tobagonian talent in various sporting disciplines.
Indicator-S-4
Number of sports internships provided to eligible sportsmen and women by 2027.
Target-S-5
Establish the Tobago Sports Scholarship Program to provide post-secondary scholarships to talented Tobago sportsmen and women by 2026.
Indicator-S-5
Number of eligible sportsmen and women receiving Sports Scholarship by 2026.
Target-S-6
Establish the Centre of Excellence for Sports to identify and develop sporting talent in various sporting disciplines by 2026.
Indicator-S-6
The Centre of Excellence for Sports is operationalized by 2026.
Target-S-7
Invest an appropriate % equivalent of GDP in monetizing sports and outdoor recreation by 2035, and an appropriate % equivalent of GDP by 2045.
Indicator-S-7
Percentage of GDP equivalent invested in monetizing sports and outdoor recreation year-over-year.
