The future for sport and recreation

Just in time for Christmas, the Government has published its new strategy Sporting Future: A New Strategy for an Active Nation. Head of Policy, James Allen, has taken a look at what's included.

After pouring through the 80 plus pages, it's great to see that there are several things in the document that have been on our wish list, and we’re delighted to see them reflected in the strategy.

More detailed analysis from colleagues will follow in the coming days, but some particular highlights include:

•tStrong recognition of the contribution of the Voluntary Code on broadcasting to drive reinvestment in grassroots sport and ensuring the widest viewing audience for sporting events
•tBroader and deeper talent and elite support for non-Olympic and Paralympic sports
•tAn extension of the Sport England remit to children from the age of 5
•tThe considerable role and potential of outdoor sport and recreation
•tThe role of sport and recreation in promoting good mental health
•tLocal strategies for physical activity
•tA single, unified governance framework for sport across the UK
•tThe particular role and contribution of dance and walking to getting the nation more active
•tSupport for new investment, particularly from commercial and social finance sources

The fact that we have a strategy at all is hugely positive, as is the firm commitment to cross government working. The strategy is comprehensive and very ambitious in scope and has been developed against a framework of five key themes:

1 Physical wellbeing
2 Mental wellbeing
3 Individual development
4 Social and community development
5 Economic development

There will be a much greater focus on the delivery of impact, and funding ‘what works’ and a much greater focus too on currently inactive people and groups who are more likely to be inactive.

This does mark a significant shift from the current strategy. There is a clear ambition to measure impact differently and more accurately – the headline is that the Active People Survey (APS) will go, to be replaced by Active Lives (which promises to more comprehensively and accurately measure the ways people choose to be active. There is a clear expectation that delivery will be more led by consumer views and needs, and that the long term trajectory of reduced public investment will continue.

The huge value of sport and recreation beyond pure participation and Olympic and Paralympic medal success is an important part of this strategy – and will be measured. This ranges from community impacts, to the huge social and economic gains that a more active nation brings.

This strategy will be initiated in what promises to be a challenging period for our sector – with public finances remaining tight, various remits expanding and an increasing challenge to work with harder to reach groups – it does in reality mean doing more with less. Our Fit for the Future programme is designed to work with our members and the wider sector to equip them as best we can for this changing environment. Greater understanding of consumers, diversifying income, demonstrating impact and using technology are all key components of this programme and areas which many of our members are already addressing. Of course we want the good practice to exist to become common practice across the sector as a whole.

Mental health is mentioned in the document, and this is very positive. However, what we really need is a more comprehensive and detailed plan for how government will act to realise the huge potential of sport and recreation to improving the nation’s mental health. We might also have expected more detail around safeguarding, and the protection of participants, volunteers and staff – and hope that this is to follow.

As ever, the key next step is around implementation. We were delighted with the outcome of the Spending Review following the Get Your Kit On campaign. There is much to be positive about in this strategy, and now we’ll await with interest Sport England’s own consultation and their plans (along with UK Sport, other government departments, local councils and others) to develop the more detailed means for implementing these ideas in the New Year.

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