The Sport and Recreation Alliance last night launched its Ministers’ To-Do List at the National Tennis Centre, Roehampton.
In front of a diverse range of organisations from within the sport and recreation sector, from British Rowing, through to the Forestry Commission, the Alliance put forward its five-step plan to help any future government get the most from the sector, for the benefit of society as whole.
Introducing the five ‘asks’ that the Alliance has created, following a year-long consultation with national governing bodies (NGBs), Emma Boggis, CEO of the Alliance, emphasised how the sector can work together with Ministers to ensure sport and recreation is accessible and enjoyable for all.
The five ‘asks’ contained within the publication Raising the heartbeat of the nation — A five-step plan for a more active population are:
1. Support sport and recreation from the grassroots up, through a fair and sustainable CASC system, the creation of a sports betting right and automatic rate relief for clubs
2. Increased investment in Initial Teacher Training for primary school teachers to ensure high quality PE, sport and physical activity from the start of the educational journey
3. Every local authority to produce a robust and comprehensive strategy for physical activity opportunities in response to local needs
4. Keep the UK the home of world-class sport through major events legislation and dedicated resources to protect sporting integrity
5. A dedicated Minister for the Outdoors to deliver a coordinated strategy to maximise the full potential of the natural environment
There we also presentations from Geoff Newton, Executive Director of the Tennis Foundation, and Andy Parkinson, recently appointed CEO of British Rowing. Both speakers emphasised the need for collaboration between NGBs, organisations and Ministers in order for the sector to deliver high-performance success and grassroots sustainability.
The launch of the Ministers’ To-Do List is just the beginning of a process which will see the Alliance working with MPs' candidates and civil servants in the run-up to the election and with the next government to ensure that Ministers understand the role sport and recreation can play in creating a fit and healthy society.
To find out more about the Ministers’ To-Do List click here or you can follow #MinistersToDoList
