"A Society Fit for the 21st Century: Realising the Value of Sport – Better Health, Greater Participation and Inclusion for All"

14th November 2007

Chair of London Sports Board and London Region Director speak at Westminster Briefing

Download Sean's Speech here

Sean Holt, Sport England’s London Region Director spoke alongside Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, earlier today at a  Westminster Briefing on the value of sport to society. He said:

“Sport is part of the social fabric of this country. Millions of people in the United Kingdom enjoy the many benefits associated with a lifelong involvement in sport, as participants, spectators or volunteers. Hundreds of thousands more bring sporting opportunities to their communities through their work, whether as the chief leisure officer in a local authority, a local sports development officer, a manager of a health and fitness facility, a PE teacher in a primary school or as a coach in a local sports club.

“The fact that sport plays a crucial part in supporting wider government agendas like health, crime reduction and social inclusion is still not highlighted enough. Sport teaches youngsters about self-respect and teamwork. It helps adults stay fit and healthy. Sport adds to the economy and builds stronger, safer communities.

“There is also strong evidence available that high quality sport and physical activity delivered effectively and in the right settings, can also contribute to four outcomes that the public consider to be high priorities:

•Healthy Communities and tacking health inequalities and disadvantage

•Safe strong and sustainable communities; tackling crime and anti social behaviour.

•Economic vitality and workforce development and finally how sport meets;

• the needs of children and young people and ensuring they get the best start in life.”

John Brewer, Chair of the London Sports Board spoke about Sport as a Preventative Healthcare Measure and the importance of Healthy Living. He said

" Sport is a major part of the solution to reduce obesity and the health problems associated with physical inactivity.•Sport and active recreation contributes to general well-being and good health. People involved in sport reduce their risk of major chronic diseases – such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer– by up to 50%.•Physically active adults also have 20-30% reduced risk of premature death.

The results of Sport England’s Active People survey show the scale of the challenge the nation faces – more than 50% of people had done no exercise in the last month.

The estimated cost of physical inactivity in England is £8.2 billion annually, which does not include the contribution of inactivity to obesity which itself has been estimated at £2.5 billion annually."

Also speaking at the event were Andy Reed MP, Vice-Chair of the All Party Group on Health and Wellbeing in Schools and Hugh Robertson MP, Shadow Minister for Sport and Olympics.

Delegates at this Westminster Briefing had the opportunity to consider the important role sport can play in the arenas of education, employment, good citizenship, social inclusion and physical and mental health, particularly in light of the unique opportunities likely to arise from hosting the 2012 Games in London.

Participants also had the opportunity to engage with the panel in a number of sessions throughout the day looking at the key issues including:

Community sport & the role of local authorities and local plan making

School sports, curriculum requirements and facilities

Equality and access to sport for all

Tackling obesity and encouraging healthy living choices

The power of sport in delivery of positive outcomes: reducing anti-social behaviour & social exclusion

The Olympic & Paralympic opportunity and legacy

Recent legislation and funding announcements

For further information from the day contact nick.rotsides@westminster-briefing.com,

Download the agenda here