Blog: Our CEO Carl Hawkes reflects on 2025

As my first Christmas at Yorkshire Sport Foundation approaches, I want to begin by saying a heartfelt thank you to our colleagues, board members and partners. Their collective commitment and hard work throughout the year continue to improve the conditions that enable people across Yorkshire to move more and be more active and I’m incredibly grateful for the passion and energy you bring to this work.

It’s now three months since I joined the organisation and in that short time I’ve been struck by the dedication and professionalism of people working right across the sport and physical activity sector. There is a shared determination to create better, more connected systems that support the ambitions of Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy and, ultimately, deliver real change in communities.

One of the things that has impressed me most is the extraordinary social value of sport and physical activity. Sport England’s latest research brings this into sharp focus, showing that community sport and physical activity generate over £100 billion of social value each year across England, with £6.5 billion of that generated in West and South Yorkshire alone.

This value goes far beyond financial measures. It reflects the improved wellbeing, confidence and happiness people gain from being active, the strength of communities built through volunteering and the wider benefits for our health and social care systems. Importantly, this insight is now available at a local level, helping us better understand the impact sport is having in places like Yorkshire.

Behind these figures are real people and real stories: volunteers giving their time, young people finding confidence and belonging, adults improving their mental and physical health, and communities becoming stronger and more connected. It reinforces what many of us already know instinctively - that sport, physical activity and movement is not a ‘nice to have’, but a vital part of creating healthier, happier places.

As we look ahead, this evidence strengthens our commitment to working closely with partners across Yorkshire to ensure that sport and physical activity opportunities are accessible, inclusive and embedded in local solutions to some of the most pressing challenges our communities face.

It’s also clear that the sector is at an important moment. Sport England has been open about the need to create a more efficient, joined-up system, particularly as investment becomes increasingly focused on place and on the areas facing the greatest need. This presents a real opportunity.

Active Partnerships are being positioned as a central part of the solution – helping to connect a complex system, reduce duplication and turn national investment into meaningful local impact. For Yorkshire Sport Foundation, this reinforces the importance of our role as a connector and convenor, working with partners to align efforts, strengthen collaboration and ensure resources are focused where they can make the biggest difference.

As Uniting the Movement is refreshed - with a growing focus on workforce capacity, better data and insight, improved infrastructure and tackling inequalities – we are well placed to help lead a more coordinated, place-based approach across Yorkshire, maximising the social value of sport for our communities.

I’m genuinely excited to be part of such an incredible team and network as we head into 2026, ready to adapt to a changing landscape and the challenges and opportunities it brings. With the opportunities that devolution is creating, particularly following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Sport England, SYMCA and WYCA, this is an exciting time to be working in Yorkshire.

It’s a place that is special to me and one where I am determined we can help create the conditions for people to move more, be more physically active and live healthier, happier lives.

As we head into the festive period, I want to wish everyone across Yorkshire Sport Foundation and our wider network a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year. I hope the coming weeks bring time to rest, reflect and enjoy being with family and friends... Perhaps even a winter walk, a friendly kickabout, or a chance to balance out the mince pies with a bit of movement. Whatever that looks like for you, thank you again for everything you do and I look forward to continuing our work together in the New Year as we help more people across Yorkshire to move more and live happier, healthier lives.

Carl Hawkes
CEO
Yorkshire Sport Foundation