Sport and recreation in society

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Sport and recreation lie at the heart of British society. Community clubs and volunteers were driving the 'Big Society' long before the term entered our collective political discourse.   

The clearest demonstration of this is the contribution of volunteers up and down the country, without whom there would be no sport or recreation. But it is also important to look beyond the individuals who take part and consider the benefits for wider society. Sports club members are more likely to be politically engaged, meet socially with friends and place their trust in civil institutions. This is on top of the wide range of health benefits of physical activity, and the powerful examples of community sport programmes designed to tackle anti-social behaviour.