Sports Summit Review - Jennie Price expands on Sport England's Towards an Active Nation strategy

Leaders from across the sport and recreation sector came out in record attendance yesterday at the Kia Oval for the Sport Summit 2016.  

The theme was Evidencing Impact and Using Data, and a variety of speakers talked about how they use evidence to demonstrate impact and how to practically use data to demonstrate the value of sport and recreation.

This area was highlighted as most relevant by members of the Sport and Recreation Alliance and the timing was perfect because of the social driven outcomes for sport in the government’s Sporting Futures strategy and Sport England releasing their Towards an Active Nation strategy last week.

Jennie Price, CEO of Sport England, spoke to the sector in her first public address since the launch of the strategy. She highlighted the importance of sport thinking about “customers” and not just thinking about participation numbers and that activities and programmes needed to be designed based on insight.

She explained that Sport England would be doing the same and Active Lives would replace the Active People Survey. In doing this, data will be collected online, with an emphasis on sharing this data, so that the sector can understand the audience better and improve their services and offerings as a result. This means that moving forward, activities and programmes can be designed for all types of participants, with the natural aim to keep them coming back and remaining active. This approach from Sport England is particularly focused on under-represented groups.

Another area that was of particular interest was Jennie’s explanation of Sport England’s seven investment principles and how Sport England will decide where it invests public money.

She also stressed that moving forward, funding decisions would be based more on what you do and not who you are. This means activities and programmes that change behaviour, particularly in the groups that are currently not active will be a priority. Making sure we keep sport and recreation thriving will remain a priority and focus will continue on keeping the active that way – maintaining and building on all of the good work the sector currently performs.

Over the coming days we will continue to follow-up on some of the other themes talked about throughout the day. In the meantime, check our reaction and member briefing on Towards an Active Nation.

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