The Chair of the Sport for Development Coalition has welcomed the imminent return of outdoor sport, and underscored the important role of grassroots clubs and groups that use sport and physical activity for a social purpose.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed that recreational sport can resume when the current lockdown ends in England on December 2nd. Gyms will also be allowed to re-open.
However the Coalition’s Chair, Andy Reed, now wants a greater focus to be given to perilous state of the community sport sector, with as many as one in four grassroots clubs and groups facing closure because of the pandemic.
RESPONSIBLE
“We are pleased to hear that the ban on grassroots sport will be lifted when the lockdown ends,” he said.
“The 165 charities, governing bodies and grassroots sport networks that make up the Coalition are fully committed to sport being delivered in a safe and responsible way, in line with Government guidelines on restricting the spread of Covid-19, and sustaining the critical service they deliver in communities.
“We are particularly grateful that this issue has been raised in the media. This has played a crucial role in maintaining a spotlight on the enormous social value of sport in our communities.”
COMMUNITIES
He added: “As we look towards 2021, we now implore the Government to maintain that steady focus on the wider outcomes of sport and physical activity, and provide further ring-fenced funding for community sport projects that strengthen our communities and support individuals in need.
“We look forward to hearing how the recently-announced £300million support for spectator sports will help to sustain the community programmes delivered by these sports. But we must remain mindful this package does not extend support for the vast and fragile network of grassroots clubs, groups and charities embedded within communities across the UK. Yet it is these organisations that are delivering programmes and projects which extend far beyond sport and physical activity, from supporting mental wellbeing to building social cohesion, and directly tackling growing social issues such as unemployment and youth crime.
“Our research shows that as many as one in four could close down because of the pandemic, and without them, many vulnerable young people will have nowhere to go. The long-term cost to society – in terms of mental health issues and crime alone – will be incalculable. It is plainly a false economy to let them disappear, and we urge the Government to provide further ring-fenced funding for community sport.”
