The Sport and Recreation Alliance knows the crucial role sport and recreation can play in tackling inactivity and sees Public Health England’s (PHE) Everybody Active, Every Day plan as a step in the right direction.
PHE’s plan aims to protect and improve the nation’s health and, with physical inactivity directly contributing to one in six deaths in the UK, it places a welcomed focus on tackling inactivity across the life course.
The Alliance is a strong advocate for the unique role that the sport and recreation sector can play in creating a healthy nation.
Its Reconomics report demonstrates the economic impact of outdoor recreation, generating income and providing savings to the nation, including to health.
The Alliance's Game of Life publication also addresses these issues by compiling all the evidence to support physical activity as a public policy tool.
Emma Boggis, Chief Executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, said:
“The plan reflects that we need nothing short of a revolution in physical activity in the UK. Unless we translate these recommendations into actions, we are going to start facing bills which we can’t, as a country, pay.
“Activity needs to be built back into our daily lives but community sport and organised physical activity also have a significant part to play. By providing a range of opportunities, we can help the whole nation to get active, not just those who are able to walk or cycle to work.
“We look forward to working with PHE to develop the evidence base and support the sport and recreation sector to better measure the impact it has on health outcomes.
"We particularly welcome PHE’s work with Natural England to pilot an indicator for activity among 15 year olds and the move away from high-level, intense evaluation which is not appropriate for many small, community-based activities.
“As the plan suggests, there needs to be a joined-up approach and national leadership to drive progress and create an active nation. We need to see this backed-up by clear accountability to ensure that the plan becomes a reality.”
Barry Horne, Chief Executive of English Federation of Disability Sport and Chair of the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s Public Health Working Group, said:
“Everybody Active, Every Day provides the building blocks to creating a healthy nation. It highlights inequalities and the need to break down barriers to participation such as access and cost.
"We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with PHE and the publication of its forthcoming guidance on inequalities. Together we can ensure that everyone really does have the chance to be active every day.”
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