The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) passionately believes that improving the health and wellbeing of this nation must be a central priority for this and future Governments. This is essential if we want to create sustained economic growth, support the NHS, and strengthen the fabric of our communities across all ages and backgrounds. The role of sport, recreation, and physical activity will be integral to this.
The Government’s new Sports Strategy shines a spotlight on the essential nature of sport and physical activity in people’s everyday lives, and importantly recognises the many programmes and initiatives that contribute to this ambition to improve our national health and wellbeing.
The collective responsibility to improve the health, wellbeing and economic productivity of the nation sits across Whitehall so we welcome the creation of a new Government taskforce to oversee the implementation of the strategy, with industry representatives collaborating with key Departments centrally.
The inclusion in the new strategy of participation targets provides clarity around the Government’s ambitions for a more physically active population and to reduce existing inequalities. We look forward to seeing how these ambitions translate into clear, sustainable delivery plans that focus on the growth and development of the sector.
Only by developing and supporting a programme of delivery in conjunction with all our partner organisations and making full use of all aspects of the sector, will this strategy be able to deliver on its ambitions and unlock the full potential of the sector. We believe with the necessary resources and working collaboratively with the sector, we can become one of the world’s most active nations and improve outcomes across society.
We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Government to develop and implement legislative changes and national initiatives to realise these ambitions together.
Nigel Harrison, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Sport Foundation, added: “We welcome the new strategy and the recognition of the important role that sport and physical activity can play in a more vibrant, healthy and prosperous nation.
“In recent years, we have seen the impact of working alongside specific places in South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire that have some of the most persistent inequalities, and we’re pleased that this approach to getting more people active is at the heart of this strategy.
“We are clear in our own ambition for it to be easy and enjoyable for everyone in South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire to be active. In our role as the Active Partnership for the two counties, we’ll continue to work with people, groups and organisations across the region and nationally, to ensure we are all moving in the same direction for the benefit of the people who live here.”