The Sport and Recreation Alliance celebrated its 90th anniversary at St James’s Palace, where members also gathered for the organisation’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), chaired by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
While reflecting on the Alliance’s 90 years of history, we took the opportunity to look to the future with our Community Sport and Recreation Awards: Youth Edition 2025, which highlighted nine young leaders already making a huge contribution to grassroots sport. Keep an eye on our website for more about our winners shortly.
There was also the chance to award four of our Vice-Presidents with long service awards, recognising their immense contribution to the Sport and Recreation Alliance, and formerly the Central Council of Physical Recreation.
Professor Peter Thomas MBE was recognised for over 50 years of service, which began with his involvement as a representative for the National Association of Community Education Officers in the Division of Interested Organisations in 1975.
Former Deputy Chair Margaret Peggie OBE, and two former Chairs, Brigid Simmonds OBE and Howard Wells OBE, were awarded with trophies in recognition of over 25 years of outstanding service.
Our annual AGM awards were also presented on the day. The prestigious Arthur Bell Trophy, which is awarded every year to someone deemed to have made a significant contribution to sport and recreation, was presented to Clare Balding CBE.
While she was unable to come and collect the award in person, Clare was recognised for her illustrious broadcasting career, which has helped to inspire countless people to get involved in sport and recreation. She has also been a tireless advocate for disability sport and women’s sport, championing equality and inclusion at all levels.
Also presented at the event was the Spirit of Sport and Recreation Award (formerly the Emeritus Award), which recognises someone who has dedicated their life to getting the nation active. This year’s winner was Steve Greatorex, a volunteer who has helped ensure that disabled people have access to the huge benefits of participating in sport during his lifetime.
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. He is an incredible advocate for the benefits of sport, and has helped to develop international-standard players alongside grassroots participants.
Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) also saw members approve changes to the organisation’s Articles of Association, which saw the implementation of a new divisional structure, with the introduction of a new NGB Coalition Division, alongside the Outdoor Recreation, Movement and Dance, and Partners Divisions. Chairs of three divisions elected are as follows:
The positions of NGB Coalition Chair and Deputy Chair are currently open to applications.
Also confirmed at the event were two new Board members – Kath Hipwell, Chief Executive of ABC Walls, and Chris Jones, Chief Executive of England Athletics. We are delighted to welcome both Kath and Chris to the Board, and look forward to working with them as we look to achieve the goals outlined in our new five-year strategy, A United Voice for Sport and Recreation.
Speaking at the event, Alliance Chair Dame Janet Beer said:
“We believe that the objectives outlined in our new strategy build on our proud history, while we remain modern, relevant and responsive to the ever-changing needs of our members and the communities that we serve.
“We look forward to supporting you, our members, as we deliver this new strategy, and as we move together towards our centenary as the Sport and Recreation Alliance.”
Today’s publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report sets out a series of wide ranging recommendations for reform of the national curriculum and in particular to the teaching of physical education (PE) and dance in schools.
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As we mark National Inclusion Week, we spotlight our member Women in Sport, a charity that for over 40 years has been dedicated to understanding and breaking down the barriers that hold girls and women back from the opportunities and lifelong benefits of sport and activity.
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Nominations for the Alliance’s annual Spirit of Sport and Recreation Award are open ahead of the organisation’s 90th anniversary celebration event, which has been confirmed for St James’s Palace in November.
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