Sport in the West Midlands is delivered and provided by a range of organisations including: local authorities; a vibrant and successful voluntary sector; national, regional and county governing bodies, commercial companies and private sports clubs.

The new DCMS strategy for sport 'Playing to win', is a plan to get more people taking up sport simply for the love of sport; to expand the pool of talented English sportsmen and women; and to break records, win medals and win tournaments for this country. It is therefore esential that Sport England ensures greater and equal access to participation opportunities, to reduce duplication of effort and to ensure that those with talent have the pathways in the region to fulfil their potential. The six county sports partnerships in the region support the work of Sport England to acheive these aims and ensure that there is good co-ordination between organisations delivering sport within each sub-regional area.

The key priorities for the development of sport in the West Midlands are to be found in the new strategy 'Sport England Strategy 2008 - 2011', which was launched on 10 June 2008.

The strategy commits Sport England to deliver on a series of demanding national targets by 2012/13:

• one million people doing more sport

• a 25% reduction in the number of 16 year olds who drop out of five key sports
• improved talent development systems in at least 25 sports
• a measurable increase in people’s satisfaction with their experience of sport – the first time the organisation has set such a qualitative measure
• a major contribution to the delivery of the five hour sports offer for children and young people.

It is important that the value of sport is recognised and that Sport England works closely with the following regional organisations:

-·West Midlands Regional Assembly
-·West Midlands Development Agency - Advantage West Midlands
-·Government Office for the West Midlands
-·West Midlands Local Government Association
-CultureWM
- West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games

As well as seeking to influence and shape regional policy development we strive to make the case for sport at all levels.