On Monday 16 March, the Alliance joined the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, as well as members and sector partners, at 10 Downing Street for a reception celebrating grassroots sport.
The event, hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, championed the enormous impact of grassroots sport and recreation on communities across the country and the nation’s next generation of elite athletes.
It was announced that the Government will work with local areas and the wider sport sector to ensure that investment is focused on the right areas and provides facilities that communities need, enabling more people to get active and access the wide health benefits sport provides. The Prime Minister also announced £10 million of investment over the next year to develop new delivery models, including at least £2.5 million each for two Alliance members – the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Alliance CEO, Lisa Wainwright MBE, had the opportunity to speak to both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, about the vital role of our members play in facilitating grassroots sport and discuss the upcoming IWG Global Summit on Women and Girls, hosted in Birmingham in July.
The event also provided an opportunity to raise both the Prime Minister and Secretary of State’s awareness of the Alliance’s Protect Where We Play campaign, which highlights the importance of the nation’s playing fields and spaces to both grassroots sport, and the next generation of world-class athletes.
These spaces are currently at risk from Government reforms to the planning system, which include the proposal to remove Sport England as a statutory consultee on planning applications involving playing fields. Take a look at our campaign hub to find out how you can support the campaign.
Following the event, Alliance CEO, Lisa Wainwright MBE, said:
“It was a privilege to receive an invitation to attend the Prime Minister’s Downing Street reception for grassroots sport, and it was fantastic to see so many of our members and sector partners celebrating the enormous impact they have in communities across the country.
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak to both the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and raise the issue central to our Protect Where We Play campaign – that our playing fields and spaces are at risk – while also paying tribute to our members, who play such an important role in delivering grassroots sport.
“The Prime Minister gave a speech in which he recognised the important role that sport has to play in getting our nation happier and healthier, and we look forward to working with the Government further to realise these ambitions, delivering on the priorities of our members and the wider sector.”
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