Coalition responds to School Sport plan

The Sport for Development Coalition has joined a list of more than 40 leading sports charities and governing bodies responding to the new School Sport and Activity Action Plan which was outlined by this Government this week.

The plan, which can be accessed here, will aim to give children greater access to 60 minutes of daily sport and physical activity.

A joint statement from the charities and governing bodies read: “At a time of declining levels of wellbeing and when one third of children are inactive, young people are in dire need of a long-term, joined-up approach to youth sport.

“As a unified community of organisations passionate about physical education and school sport and dedicated to supporting its delivery, we recognise that ministers have worked over the last few months to deliver on the commitment made last year to develop a cross-Government School Sport and Activity Action Plan.

“This announcement sets out some encouraging intentions and acknowledges the absolute priority of getting every young person enjoying 60 active minutes every day. It is positive that some of our asks of the action plan are reflected in this announcement, however, it is also important that further policy change is brought forward. To that end, the sector will convene in the early autumn to explore how we can best engage with and support the plan’s implementation. We look forward to working with Sport England and all three Government departments at what will be an exciting forum.

“With a new Prime Minister due to come into post, it will be vital that this commitment to the importance of school sport, physical activity and physical education survives and transcends any forthcoming reshuffle. Of course, the success of the School Sport and Activity Action Plan will ultimately hinge on how it is resourced and delivered and to achieve significant change it will require improved support for school sport in the government’s next spending review.

“As a sector we welcome the update on this plan and look forward to building on it as part of a longer-term government commitment to a Youth Charter.”

Signed by:

Martin Glenn, CEO, Football Association

Tom Harrison, CEO, England & Wales Cricket Board

Scott Lloyd, CEO, LTA

Bill Sweeney, CEO, Rugby Football Union

Ralph Rimmer, CEO, Rugby Football League

Jo Adams, CEO England Netball

Sally Munday, CEO, England Hockey

Chris Jones, CEO, England Athletics

Jane Nickerson, CEO, Swim England

Julie Harrington, CEO, British Cycling

Adrian Christy, CEO, Badminton England