New government must commit to putting sport and recreation at the heart of an active nation

The Sport and Recreation Alliance is urging the incoming Government to take a genuinely joined-up approach to make sure that policy decisions and funding are coordinated across Government.  

The call comes as part of the Alliance’s General Election manifesto published today, which asks the next Government to commit to putting sport and recreation at the heart of an active nation.  

The manifesto outlines why the Alliance believes sport and recreation must be a key policy tool in the coming years and focuses on four key areas: 

  • Making sure that the economic and social value of sport and recreation is realised;
  • Supporting and diversifying volunteering in sport and recreation;
  • Making sure that children and young people can participate in a wide range of high quality physical education and sport and recreation activities;
  • Supporting the sport and recreation sector to become fit for the future. 

Emma Boggis, CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance said: “We know the positive impact sport and recreation can have as a preventative solution to many of the critical public policy challenges the country faces, including obesity and mental health problems. Sport and recreation also plays a much wider role in terms of the economic contribution it makes and the benefits it brings to society – which is why it must be front of mind for any incoming Government. 

“We want to see sport and recreation being used as part of a cross-departmental approach which means making sure that the scale of funding matches the scale of ambition to get the nation active.

“The Government’s 2015 sport strategy recognised the diverse contribution sport and recreation makes to our society and now more than ever is the time for Ministers, policy and decision makers to commit to making sure that sport and recreation is at the heart of an active and healthy nation.”

 To read the full manifesto click here.