How do we encourage a more active nation?
Wednesday 9 December 2020
Lords Sport and Recreation Committee ask what changes are needed for more people to live an active life
The new House of Lords Committee on a National Plan for Sport and Recreation has today published its call for evidence inviting the public to provide their views on how we can remove barriers to participation in sport and recreation and facilitate more active lifestyles.
The Committee, chaired by Lord Willis of Knaresborough, includes former Olympic medallists Baroness Grey-Thompson and Lord Moynihan, Baroness Brady, Vice-Chairman of West Ham United, and other members with experience and expertise across sport, education and government. The Committee are keen to hear from individuals and organisations with an interest in increasing participation in sport and active recreation.
The Committee will look at a wide range of issues. These include how we can increase physical activity, including among young people – one study found that the least fit child in a class of 30 in 1998 would be among the five fittest children in a class of 30 tested today. The Committee will also consider how we can increase participation in sport among underrepresented groups including women and girls, disabled people, people from ethnic minority communities and low income groups, and whether current funding structures are effective in getting money to where it has most impact.
The Committee are inviting written evidence to be submitted by Friday 29 January 2021. The full call for evidence and details of how to submit evidence can be found on the Committee’s webpage
Lord Willis of Knaresborough, Chair of the Committee, said:
“In 2015 the Government launched its Sporting Future strategy which followed significant investment in sport after the introduction of lottery funding and the 2012 Olympics. However, we have also seen stagnant physical activity rates and changes in the way people keep active. The time has come to ask whether the Government have the right priorities for sport and recreation.
“Our inquiry will only be as strong as the evidence we get and I would encourage anyone with an interest in these issues to give us their views. We would love to hear from people delivering sports and recreation at the grassroots to understand what help they need to get more people active.”
