WEB_SportEngland_AR_2016-17

Children and young people
A person’s attitude to sport is often shaped
by their experiences as a child, from early years
to teens.
All children, regardless of their ability or
background, deserve to enjoy the physical,
mental and social benefits sport and activity
brings. Our aim is to give more children a positive
sporting experience, to help more of tomorrow’s
adults feel that sport and physical activity
is relevant and appealing to them. Our insight
shows that three things are really important:
• instilling confidence and a sense of ‘I can
do this’, irrespective of natural ability
• ensuring activities are fun and enjoyable
• avoiding negative or bad experiences,
above all else.
The Government’s Sporting Future strategy tasks
us with supporting sport and physical activity
outside the school curriculum for the 7 million
5-16 year-olds in England. There are so many
aspects to this work – from the wide range of
ages involved, to the attitude and influence
of parents. A number of different approaches
are required.
The brand new £40 million investment into
families was launched in March 2017 and over
the next 12 months we will invest in projects that
give families the inspiration and confidence to get
active together. We’re targeting families where
children are active for less than 60 minutes each
day, the threshold recommended by the chief
medical officer. The fund will focus on low income
families and help tackle childhood obesity.
This family approach is a new way of working.
Although families playing games together is not
uncommon, it’s usually self-organised. Very few
providers of sport have offered it as an option.
Research is clear that the demand for it is high.
Successful applicants will involve children in
the decisions and planning of the activity, and
include the adults in the exercise itself. The best
ideas may come from organisations outside
sport who are close to families, such as housing
associations, charities, parent groups or outdoor
activity providers.
Continuing its success from previous years,
the School Games gives children from all
backgrounds and abilities an early experience
of competing in or volunteering at a multi-sport
tournament. In 2016, a total of 22,000 schools
took part. More than 2 million children took part
in the four levels of the Games including more
than 155,000 competing in the county festivals
where more girls than boys take part. The national
final was held in Loughborough where more than
1,500 of the most talented young people took
part in 12 sports. During 2016 we led a major
review of the School Games to ensure that
it remains fit for purpose and maximises the
impact against Sporting Future’s five outcomes.