Today we have received the new Government Strategy - Get Active: A strategy for the future of sport and physical activity 

The Government will join forces with former sports stars, health professionals and fitness experts to help an additional 3.5 million adults and children get physically active by 2030, as part of a major national activity drive. 

Appointed by the Prime Minister and Culture Secretary, the new National Physical Activity Taskforce will be led by the Culture Secretary, Lucy Frazer, Sports Minister Stuart Andrew and former England Rugby Union international Ugo Monye as an independent co-chair. 

The new participation targets - to have over 2.5 million more active adults and over 1 million more active children by 2030 - are intended to reach people of all ages and backgrounds, and meet the UK Chief Medical Officers’ guidance that:

1. Adults should aim to carry out at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week 
2. Children should aim to carry out at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day 

 Pete Ezard, CEO of Energize STW, the Active Partnership for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin added:

"Energize welcomes the publication of the Government’s new strategy.  We know the huge role sport and physical activity can play not only in tackling health inequalities but also in increasing opportunities for people to connect more, particularly important across our rural area. This strategy will further support our existing work as well as providing a joined-up approach from central government through to local plans across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin."

 

 

  

 

Active Partnerships response to the Government Sports Strategy...

“The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) passionately believes that improving the health and wellbeing of this nation must be a central priority for this and future Governments. This is essential if we want to create sustained economic growth, support the NHS, and strengthen the fabric of our communities across all ages and backgrounds. The role of sport, recreation, and physical activity will be integral to this.  

“The Government’s new Sports Strategy shines a spotlight on the essential nature of sport and physical activity in people’s everyday lives, and importantly recognises the many programmes and initiatives that contribute to this ambition to improve our national health and wellbeing.  

“The collective responsibility to improve the health, wellbeing and economic productivity of the nation sits across Whitehall so we welcome the creation of a new Government taskforce to oversee the implementation of the strategy, with industry representatives collaborating with key Departments centrally.  

“The inclusion in the new strategy of participation targets provides clarity around the Government’s ambitions for a more physically active population and to reduce existing inequalities. We look forward to seeing how these ambitions translate into clear, sustainable delivery plans that focus on the growth and development of the sector.  

“Only by developing and supporting a programme of delivery in conjunction with all our partner organisations and making full use of all aspects of the sector, will this strategy be able to deliver on its ambitions and unlock the full potential of the sector. We believe with the necessary resources and working collaboratively with the sector, we can become one of the world’s most active nations and improve outcomes across society.

“We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Government to develop and implement legislative changes and national initiatives to realise these ambitions together.”  

Andy Taylor, CEO of Active Partnership National Team added:  

"The network of Active Partnerships welcomes 'Get Active', the Government’s new strategy for sport and physical activity and the recognition of the important role that being physically active can play in improving the nation’s health and wellbeing. 

"The network of 43 Active Partnerships take a place-based approach to reducing inequalities using sport and physical activity. We therefore welcome the importance the strategy places on this approach, along with the recognition of the value sport and physical activity has in helping transform people’s lives. We partner with local and national stakeholders to affect widespread social change, whether it’s bringing communities closer together, connecting people to opportunities, driving greater inclusion, improving health and wellbeing, and economic productivity - we understand the true impact of being active. This also resonates with our role in implementing Sport England’s Uniting the Movement in tackling inequalities and ensuring everyone is able to experience the benefits being physically active brings.

"We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively across all areas of government and with our national and local partners to ensure we create a fairer, healthier nation."