Tracey Crouch MP opened the meeting and spoke about how passionate she was about the new strategy, which was published in December 2015, commenting that it was a reflection of conversations she had had with the sector previously.
During the meeting she stressed the expectation that its implementation would involve better, joined-up, cross-departmental delivery, with input from Health, Education and Transport to be included as key government departments.
The Minister touched upon some of the detail within the strategy itself, including Sport England’s remit being lowered to age 5, something which she said she personally felt strongly about.
It was highlighted, during the hour long meeting, that the aim of the strategy and new participation measurements is to provide an accurate picture of physical activity across the country, with the overriding theme of the strategy reflecting the social good that sport brings to people’s lives and communities.
Both Ministers took questions from the floor on a range of topics, including: utility cycling, infrastructure, school sport, local authority facilities, grassroots funding and safeguarding, amongst others.
In response to a question from Emma Boggis, CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, about what challenges the sector should focus on over the coming months, the Minister for Sport responded by saying that government will be expecting organisations to adapt to the new challenges and opportunities. Good governance in particular will be an essential condition for the receipt of public funds for the delivery of sport and physical activity programmes.
For full minutes from the meeting or further details about the work of the APPG, please contact our Parliamentary Officer, Emma Wade.
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