Lisa Wainwright MBE, Sport and Recreation Alliance CEO, said: “It is a critical time for both the nation and our sector as we look to recover from COVID-19 and weather the cost of living crisis.”
“We therefore look forward to working closely and constructively with the new Secretary of State and her team to ensure the Alliance’s members and the wider sector has the support it urgently needs to help people stay active, improve the health and wellbeing of the nation and contribute to wider government priorities.
“The challenges that presented themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic are still present and with rising energy costs putting the sector under immense strain, it is essential we work quickly to find solutions which will protect the fabric of grassroots community sport, recreation and physical activity now and for future generations.”
“More broadly, we and our sector partners believe sport, recreation and physical activity make a much bigger contribution to the Government’s wider policy ambitions. Our recent report Unlocking the potential sets out how the sector can do this and the policy reforms which are needed to help our sector play its fullest role. We look forward to working with the Secretary of State and our members and partners to progress the recommendations in the report.
“From her previous roles in Government we also know the Secretary of State has a strong understanding of education and its importance to the life chances of children and young people. We therefore hope to work alongside her to maximise the role high quality PE, school sport and physical activity can play in supporting children and young people’s physical literacy, learning and mental wellbeing.”
