Parliament Hosts First Ever All-Sport APPG Reception Celebrating the Power of Sport and Physical Activity

Parliamentarians, National Governing Bodies and sector leaders came together in Westminster this week for the inaugural All-Sport All Party Parliamentary Group Reception, hosted by the APPG for Sport and Physical Activity, which the Sport and Recreation Alliance acts as secretariat for.

The reception, attended by dozens of Parliamentarians including the Minister for Sport and Chair of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee, marked the first time multiple sport-related All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) have gathered at a single event to celebrate the contribution of sport and physical activity to communities across the country.

The event brought together representatives from a wide range of sporting APPGs, including those covering rugby, football, tennis, women’s football, golf, swimming, and outdoor recreation, alongside MPs, Peers, and stakeholders from across the sport and recreation sector.

Attendees heard from parliamentarians, including Rachel Taylor MP, co-Chair of the APPG for Sport and Physical Activity, and sector representatives, including Sport and Recreation Chief Executive, Lisa Wainwright MBE, about the vital role sport plays in supporting health and wellbeing, community cohesion, economic growth and grassroots participation across the country.

The event also provided an opportunity for MPs and Peers to learn more about how they can engage with sporting APPGs and national governing bodies to support sport and physical activity in their constituencies, including how to support the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s Protect Where We Play campaign, while highlighting our ongoing work on Martyn’s Law, Care Quality Commission regulation, increased business rates and proposed changes to police charges for major events.  

Crucially, guests discussed the importance of strengthening links between Parliament and the sport and recreation sector, particularly to ensure policymakers can work alongside sporting organisations to address challenges such participation, pressures on grassroots sport, and improving access to sport for all communities.

Speaking following the event, Lisa Wainwright MBE, Chief Executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, said:

“It was fantastic to see so many parliamentarians and organisations from across the sport and recreation sector come together in Westminster to celebrate the power of sport and physical activity.

Sport plays a vital role in strengthening communities, improving health and wellbeing, and supporting the UK economy. Events like this help ensure that policymakers understand the impact sport has in constituencies across the country and how we can work together to support grassroots participation and make sport accessible to everyone.”

The APPG for Sport and Physical Activity hopes the success of the event will establish the All-Sport APPG Reception as a regular fixture in the parliamentary calendar, strengthening collaboration between policymakers and the sport and recreation sector in the years ahead.

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