The sector stands ready to help

Lisa Wainwright MBE CEO, Sport and Recreation Alliance

It was a pleasure to welcome parliamentarians, national governing bodies and leaders from across the sport and recreation sector to Westminster earlier this month for the first-ever All-Sport All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Reception. Hosted by the APPG for Sport and Physical Activity, for which the Sport and Recreation Alliance provides the secretariat, the event marked the first time multiple sport-related APPGs came together at a single reception to celebrate the vital role sport and physical activity play in communities across the United Kingdom. We were grateful to be joined by the Minister for Sport, the Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and dozens of Parliamentarians.

The Alliance represents a huge breadth of organisations across national governing bodies of sport, outdoor recreation and movement and dance, and many organisations from across the broader sport and recreation sector. Collectively, our members enable millions of people to take part in sport and recreation every week. Behind that participation is a dedicated workforce, alongside volunteers, trustees and community clubs who form the backbone of our sector.

Sport and recreation are also not optional extras. They are fundamental to the health, wellbeing and social fabric of our nation. Participation in sport reduces pressure on the NHS, strengthens community cohesion, builds skills and confidence in young people, and contributes a huge amount to the UK economy.

Events like the All-Sport APPG Reception are an important opportunity to reinforce these messages, the sector’s contribution and strengthen the relationship between Parliament and sport and recreation. I firmly believe that when Government, Parliament and the sector work together, aligning policy, funding and delivery, we can achieve meaningful outcomes for communities across the country. The Government’s commitment of £400m for grassroots sport is a welcome investment that will help drive participation and support local clubs and facilities. However, it is also important that policymakers understand the challenges currently facing the sector.

Sport and recreation are not optional extras. They are fundamental to the health, wellbeing and social fabric of our nation

One key issue is the potential removal of Sport England’s status as a statutory consultee in the planning system. While we recognise the need to accelerate housing development, we must also protect the places where people get active. Through our Protect Where We Play campaign, the Alliance is calling for Sport England to remain as a statutory consultee and for robust safeguards to ensure playing fields and community sports facilities are not lost to development.

At the same time, the sector is facing increasing financial and regulatory pressures. We continue to engage with decision-makers on issues such as Martyn’s Law, Care Quality Commission regulation, increased business rates and proposed changes to police charges for events, all of which stand to add more complexity and cost for sporting organisations. It is vital that Government recognises the enormous economic and social value sport provides and ensures policy changes are proportionate and developed in consultation with the sector.

The message from the event was clear: the sport and recreation sector stands ready to work with policymakers to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our nation. With sustained investment, strong partnerships and a shared ambition, we can ensure that the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity is accessible to everyone, regardless of postcode or background.