Lords to debate Government's ‘strategy for sport'
Members of the House of Lords including the former Chairman of the Football Association, the former Chair of UK Sport and a former England Cricket Captain will this week debate the Government's consultation paper, ‘Strategy for Sport', which aims to develop a new strategy to increase participation in sport.
The debate, which will be opened by former Olympic Medallist Lord Moynihan, will be held in the House of Lords on Thursday 15 October.
Commenting ahead of the debate, Lord Moynihan said:
“The Government's decision to launch a new ‘Strategy for Sport' is both timely and welcome. The rapid commercialisation of sport over the last thirty years has transformed the relationship between sports policy and the law. Government has significantly increased investment in the sector and placed a growing importance on sport and recreation in policy formulation.
“The debate in the House of Lords provides an opportunity to consider the key elements of an effective Strategy. A Strategy that can increase the accountability and transparency of those in positions of influence in sports governing bodies both national and international. A strategy to recognise the role of sport in delivering a proactive health agenda while building on the 2012 legacy and protecting playing fields from being lost to development. A strategy to tackle the dual threats of match-fixing and doping which undermine the integrity of sport.
"The debate will also reflect the importance the House of Lords has attached this year to strengthen the opportunities for access for the disabled to sporting venues.
“The ‘Strategy for Sport' consultation paper is an opportunity for change. Thursday's debate will help identify the challenges facing sport and the opportunities to improve. I hope Government will embrace the challenge."
Other Peers down to speak in the debate include:
- Former England Cricket Captain Baroness Hayhoe Flint;
- Lord Pendry, former Chairman of the Football Federation and Football Trust;
- Baroness Campbell of Loughborough, former Chair of UK Sport;
- Former Paralympic swimmer and Director of Integration at the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, Lord Holmes of Richmond;
- Former Football Association Chairman, Lord Triesman; and
- Baroness Billingham and Lord Addington, who served on the House of Lords Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Committee; and
- Lord Stevenson of Balmacara, Shadow Spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport.
Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale, Lord Selsdon, Lord Hayward and Lord Wasserman are also expected to take part.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe Department for Culture, Media and Sport Minister, will respond for the Government.
