A year of sport ahead – but let’s not forget the grassroots

Tom Walker, Editor

As far as sporting years go, 2025 gave us plenty to smile about — on and off the field. On the international stage, British sport delivered repeatedly in 2025. The Lionesses added another European title, England’s Red Roses lifted the Rugby World Cup and the men’s team claimed 11 wins from 12 Tests. British golfers played a decisive role in the Ryder Cup – capped off by Rory McIlroy winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 award – while Amy Hunt, Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, Bianca Williams and Success Eduan struck gold in the women’s 4x100m at the World Athletics Relays.

The year 2026 is shaping up to be just as compelling. As ever, “England expects” will be dusted down (with the infernal “it’s coming home” no doubt as backing track) when the men’s football team heads to the FIFA World Cup. Scotland have booked their place there too – their first World Cup appearance since 1998 – while Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all still have qualification firmly in their sights.

Add to that a packed domestic calendar, from another summer of Wimbledon and The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale to the Six Nations, London Marathon and major international fixtures across the UK and it promises to be a vintage year. None of the success at the elite and high performance level would, however, happen without healthy grassroots. It is therefore heartening to see that participation in sport and physical activity is edging upwards, according to Sport England’s latest Active Lives data. It is not all good news, though. Results from the Active Lives Children and Young People Survey Report is a sobering reminder that too many children remain inactive.

Turning that tide depends heavily on fit-for-purpose facilities that are inclusive, welcoming and sustainable. Without safe and well designed, high-standard venues, children and young people simply have no space to be active.

To witness examples of high quality facilities, look no further than the finalists of the SAPCA Awards. Each year, the awards celebrate the very best in sports and play facility design and construction – and you can read all about the finalists from page 42.

Tom Walker, Editor