sport-england-2016-17-annual-report-and-accounts

MOVING
FORWARD
CHAIR’S FOREWORD
PARTNERS OLD AND NEW HAVE BEEN READYING
THEMSELVES FOR THE BOLD, AMBITIOUS NEW
STRATEGY WE’VE SET FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
Every year, new studies are released that reiterate
the link between active lifestyles and healthier,
happier people. The benefits of an active nation
– both for the individual and for society at large
– are profound. Physically active societies are
improved at every level – from the environment
to mental health, to lower childhood obesity
rates and better community cohesion.
When the government published Sporting Future
in December 2015, it was clear that we needed
to look holistically at the wider benefits of sport
and physical activity. And beyond that, how
we can build on the experience of volunteering
and indeed watching sport. Our response
was Towards an Active Nation, our 2016-2021
strategy that signals a radical new approach
to how we make decisions and where we
direct our investment.
Sport is a means of achieving the goals outlined
in Sporting Future, but it’s not the end goal in
itself. The sport for sport’s sake days are over.
I’ve been hugely encouraged by how many of
our existing partners, such as national governing
bodies, have truly embraced the changing
landscape. And we’re reaching out beyond
traditional organisations to encourage people
from all kinds of backgrounds to get active.
In the past year, we’ve forged new and exciting
relationships with bodies such as Public Health
England, social enterprises and community
groups. These will help us drive change at
both local and national level. Locally we will work
with organisations that really understand their
communities. And we’ll learn from pilot projects
when we roll out wider programmes nationally.
As we meet the demands of our extended remit
that now includes children aged 5+, our Board
will be crucial in helping deliver our strategy.
In July 2016 I was delighted to appoint six new
board members: Dr. Denise Barrett-Baxendale,
Prof. Ian Cumming, Chris Grant, Wasim Khan,
Andy Long and Karen Pickering. They bring
an impressive range of expertise and skills
to the table, not just in grassroots and elite
sport but also from business, education and
the third sector.
They share a passion for promoting the positive
impact of sport and activity, and a commitment
to overcoming the barriers faced by many people
when it comes to being active. A more diverse
board is essential if we’re to represent society
as a whole.
Thank you for being part of our journey towards
an active nation.
Nick Bitel
Chair