Emma Boggis, Chief Executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, believes that the difficult economic environment could mean a new way of working between the sector and the new Conservative government.
Speaking today, she said that Ministers will have a chance to put sport and recreation at the heart of inventive policies to tackle some of the biggest political conundrums.
"Getting people into sport and recreation can be the solution to some of the major challenges which this new government will face, not least in relieving the burden on the health service.
"The government’s priority should be to see and recognise the wider benefits this can bring and start supporting good physical activity habits for life through everything from education services, through town planning, to prescribing activity in GPs’ surgeries.”
The Alliance has a long history of retaining its independence while working with politicians of all inclinations. Emma said:
"We look forward to working closely with the next Sports Minister whoever that may be.
“The importance of sport and recreation to the health, wealth and happiness of the UK can’t be underestimated and based on our experience of the last few years, I am confident that the incoming government will understand that."
She also outlined the vision for working together which the Alliance put together in the shape of its Ministers' To-do List, published before the election.
“We want to see a society where, from the day they learn to walk until the day they take their last steps, people have the confidence, opportunity and motivation to participate in sport and recreation.
“We at the Alliance are working hard to ensure that the sport and recreation sector is ready to face the challenges ahead. We are already embarking on a major piece of work looking at how our members can be ‘fit for the future’ and I am sure that we will have the support of the new Ministers at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and across Government more widely, as that takes shape.”
The Sport and Recreation Alliance welcomes Government’s commitment to investing in community sport, recreation and physical activity, and its recognition of the social and economic value it provides.
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The National Sector Partners Group has issued a joint statement following the announcement of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review today.
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Today Sport England has announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive, Simon Hayes, who will begin the role in September.
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