Government has outlined details of a School Sport and Activity Action Plan which will aim to give children greater access to 60 minutes of daily sport and physical activity. Responding to the announcement, 40 leading sport charities and governing bodies have issued a joint statement. 

“At a time of declining levels of wellbeing and when one third of children are inactive, young people are in dire need of a long-term, joined-up approach to youth sport.

“As a unified community of organisations passionate about physical education and school sport and dedicated to supporting its delivery, we recognise that ministers have worked over the last few months to deliver on the commitment made last year to develop a cross-government School Sport and Activity Action Plan.

“This announcement sets out some encouraging intentions and acknowledges the absolute priority of getting every young person enjoying 60 active minutes every day. It is positive that some of our asks of the action plan are reflected in this announcement, however, it is also important that further policy change is brought forward.  To that end, the sector will convene in the early autumn to explore how we can best engage with and support the plan’s implementation.  We look forward to working with Sport England and all three government departments at what will be an exciting forum.

“With a new Prime Minister due to come into post, it will be vital that this commitment to the importance of school sport, physical activity and physical education survives and transcends any forthcoming reshuffle.  Of course, the success of the School Sport and Activity Action Plan will ultimately hinge on how it is resourced and delivered and to achieve significant change it will require improved support for school sport in the government’s next spending review.

“As a sector we welcome the update on this plan and look forward to building on it as part of a longer-term government commitment to a Youth Charter.”

Signed by:

Martin Glenn, CEO, Football Association

Tom Harrison, CEO, England & Wales Cricket Board

Scott Lloyd, CEO, LTA

Bill Sweeney, CEO, Rugby Football Union

Ralph Rimmer, CEO, Rugby Football League

Jo Adams, CEO England Netball

Sally Munday, CEO, England Hockey

Chris Jones, CEO, England Athletics

Jane Nickerson, CEO, Swim England

Julie Harrington, CEO, British Cycling

Adrian Christy, CEO, Badminton England

Stewart Kellett, CEO, Basketball England

Andrew Scoular, CEO, British Judo Association

Dan Newton, Development Director, Rounders England

Andy Parkinson, CEO, British Rowing

Ashley Metcalfe, CEO, British Weight Lifting

Brendon Pyle, CEO, Golf Foundation

Chris Ratcliffe, CEO, Boccia England

David Joy, CEO, British Canoeing

David Meli, CEO, England Handball Association

Eugene Minogue, CEO, Parkour UK

Georgina Usher, CEO, British Fencing

Gethin Jenkins, CEO, England Boxing

Janet Inman, CEO, Volleyball England

John Boyd, CEO, BaseballSoftballUK

Peter Hart, CEO, British Orienteering

Simon Hill, CEO, UK Ultimate Ltd

Lisa Pearce, CEO, GB Wheelchair Basketball

Neil Armitage, CEO, Archery GB

Mark Winder, CEO, GoalballUK

Ali Oliver, CEO, Youth Sport Trust

Lisa Wainwright, CEO, Sport & Recreation Alliance 

Sue Wilkinson, CEO, Association for Physical Education

Lee Mason, CEO, Active Partnerships

Barry Horne, CEO, Activity Alliance

Arun Kang, CEO, Sporting Equals

Mark Gannon, CEO, UK Coaching

Tara Dillon, CEO, CIMSPA

Wendy Hawk, interim CEO, Women in Sport

Laura Cordingley, CEO, Chance to Shine

John Herriman, CEO, Greenhouse Sports

Sarah Mortiboys, Sport for Development Coalition Manager

Richard Norman, CEO, Sports Leaders