Agenda for Action – how the next government can harness the power of our sector

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), has launched Agenda for Action which sets out how the sport and physical activity workforce can help the next government drive health, wellbeing and economic value for our nation.

Ahead of the General Election on 4th July, CIMSPA is calling on all political parties to commit to harnessing the potential of physical activity and sport, and in particular the power of the sector workforce, to address key issues that the country is facing.

The next government can reduce demands on and the cost of NHS services, improve the economic potential of individuals and communities and build greater social cohesion by developing policies which enable collaboration between government and the sport and physical activity sector.

We ask the next government to:

1. Formally embed our sector within its health policy planning to relieve pressure on the NHS and improve the health of the nation.
2. Support flexible skills development in our sector to bolster economic growth and generate career and learning opportunities for our workforce.
3. Continue with a place-based approach to local skills delivery so that the significant impact being achieved by the sport and physical activity sector can sustain and grow.
4. Make a commitment to continuing with this essential work and to support the future implementation of a workforce registration scheme.
5. Implement practical measures to support the success and resilience of the small businesses that keep our communities active.

Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA said,

"The next government will face some significant challenges, not least in relieving pressure on the NHS and in creating sustainable economic growth. The sport and physical activity sector, and in particular our talented and dedicated workforce, can make a huge contribution towards addressing these and many other challenges.

Agenda for Action, sets out five key asks of the next government which, through a joined up approach to policy creation that transcends departments, can generate massive benefits to individuals, communities and the country as a whole.

We are setting out how a government can really harness the power that our sector has in terms of not only preventing people developing chronic, long-term health conditions by promoting healthy, active lifestyles, but also by enabling patients to recover better through improved wellbeing.

We’re also highlighting the vital contribution that our sector workforce has in enabling more individuals and communities to be more physically and economically active.

Our sector is driven by an incredibly passionate workforce that has the ability to engage people from all backgrounds. With the right support to scale the work that sport and physical activity professionals do, we are the sector that can be the catalyst to drive improvements to health, wellbeing and the economy.”