CIMSPA responds to the House of Lords Sport and Recreation Committee Report

CIMSPA has responded to the National Plan for Sport, Health and Wellbeing, published today by the House of Lords Select Committee

“This is an extremely thorough and important piece of work, which CIMSPA is pleased to have contributed to along with many others in the sector,” Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA, said.

“Increasing the levels of participation in sport and physical activity has a central role to play in supporting the nation’s physical and mental health in the short and long term. The sector and its workforce also create enormous economic and social value.

“The report makes many positive and interesting recommendations about how to improve the funding, provision, delivery and participation in sport and physical activity, some of which are already being actively discussed and developed within the sector.

“The key factor in harnessing the many benefits of increased physical activity is the political will, co-ordination and financial investment from the Government, recognising the importance and value of the sector as a part of our wider health system. The recent data from the Sport England Active Lives Children and Young People Survey only highlights the urgent need to invest and focus on getting more people active and combating the inequalities in participation that still exist.

“To that end, we welcome the overarching call for a more integrated governmental approach to sport and physical activity, and the suggestion of a new ministerial post for Sport, Health and Wellbeing.

“We also welcome the focus on safeguarding within the report, and will look closely at the recommendations made, many of which align with ongoing work in this area from CIMSPA, Sport England and UK Sport, in consultation with NGBs and the broader sector.

“With the sector facing significant staff shortages, we also welcome the recommendation for the Department for Education to work with CIMSPA to review how apprenticeships, T-Levels and other national qualifications could be used to support people building a career in the sector.”

She concluded: “We look forward to fully reviewing the contents of the report and working with the Government and our partners across the sector to follow up on the recommendations made within it.”