Thursday 12 November 2026, 12:45pm Annual General Meeting 2026

With thanks to members Greenhouse Sports for hosting us at this historic community hub, our AGM is a fantastic opportunity for our members to come together and discuss our shared goals, as well as hear about our achievements over the past year.

The AGM will be hosted by our President, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who last year welcomed us to St James’s Palace for our 90^th anniversary celebrations. We thank His Royal Highness for his continued support of the Alliance.

How do I sign up? 

To join us on the day, please SIGN UP HERE. 

Tickets are limited to one per member organisation (if you would like to request more, please email events@sportandrecreation.org.uk).

Registration will be closing on Thursday 5 November, so don't miss the chance to sign up!

More about the venue? 

The Greenhouse Centre was originally a 17^th century church, but after being left empty, was revived, and in 2018 reopened as a thriving hub for young people. After being forced to close in 2021 due to structural issues, heritage and construction experts worked alongside Greenhouse Sports to save the space, and it was opened again earlier this year.

What to expect at the AGM? 

The event will run from 1245hrs to 1600hrs, with speeches, an opportunity for questions, and networking opportunities for members, with representatives from across the Alliance’s membership expected to be in attendance. The Annual General Meeting itself will start at 1400hrs.

At the event the Alliance also gives out two historic awards in grassroots sport and recreation – the Arthur Bell Trophy and the Spirit of Sport and Recreation Award – presented by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.  

The Arthur Bell Trophy is presented to individuals who have made a phenomenal contribution to the development of community sport or recreation in every year since 1985. Previous winners include Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Sir Bobby Charlton, and Lord Sebastian Coe. 

In 2025, the award was won by broadcaster Clare Balding CBE, for her work over many years encouraging and inspiring people to get involved in sport, as well as her charitable work. 

The Spirit of Sport and Recreation Award, formerly the Emeritus Award, has been presented for over 20 years, and celebrates volunteers in the sector who have dedicated their lives to getting the nation active.

In 2025, the award was won by Steve Greatorex, a lifelong volunteer who has helped ensure that disabled people have access to the huge benefits of participating in sport Although he primarily coaches wheelchair basketball, he has helped to provide opportunities for people to play boccia, new age kurling, wheelchair rugby, caving, walking, swimming and more. 

Previous winners of the Spirit of Sport and Recreation Award (formerly the Emeritus Award), include Sir Hugh Robertson KCMG MP, Dame Diana Ellis, and Dame Mary Peters CH DBE. 

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