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June 14, 2024
With the UK General Election set for July 4, the chief executives of five of the countries largest sport governing bodies — the FA, ECB, RFU, LTA and RFL — have sent an joint open letter to the UK’s political parties. The group is asking for the parties to “step up and set out their vision for sport” in their manifestos in line with the significant economic and social impacts sport contributes to the country. The two main priorities highlighted include the amount of quality PE mandated within the national school curriculum and the need for increased government investment in quality sporting facilities.
The letter was written by English Football Association (FA) CEO, Mark Bullingham, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) CEO Richard Gould, Rugby Football Union (RFU) CEO Bill Sweeney, Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) CEO Scott Lloyd and Rugby Football League (RFL) CEO Tony Sutton.
They write that obesity is a ticking “timebomb” for young people and express how every child should undertake the WHO-recommended hour of physical activity per day. They also state the societal benefits of sport and physical activity and how the government needs to double-down on the progress so far in offering quality PE sessions.
“Not everyone enjoys sitting in classrooms, but playing sports during breaks or in PE was always the highlight of my school days. I believe every kid in the country should have the chance to enjoy a well-rounded education that includes sports and PE. It helps us develop good habits and a positive attitude,” said England cricketer Moeen Ali.
The letter continues on the investment in sports facilities across the country: “Clubs, pitches, courts and local facilities are the lifeblood of all communities. They are a vital part of our nation’s wellbeing and national infrastructure. Everyone should have access to good quality sports facilities. Yet many are now in a poor state. Across our sports we have all identified a common need for additional investment to improve grassroots facilities.”
“We want to see our political leaders commit to building on the progress that has been made recently through Government investment in good quality facilities through models such as the Football Foundation, legacy investments connected to international events such as the recent Rugby League World Cup, the Women’s World Cups for Rugby (2025) and Cricket (2026) and the Parks Tennis program.”
According to Sport England, sport and physical activity contributes £39 billion to the UK’s economy and a significant portion of this comes from grassroots sport. The sector boosts the economy through job creation and indirectly by reducing healthcare costs due to a healthier population and reducing youth crime. According to research by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the sector saves the NHS £9.5bn every year by preventing illness and in total generates £85bn annually in economic and social value. However, it believes that the generated value could be far greater if the UK reaches and exceeds the activity levels of its European peers.
Other groups are also leveraging the election to call for increased investment in physical activity. On June 13, a coalition of more than 200 bodies, athletes, businesses and charities across health, sport, recreation, and physical activity also released an open letter to party leaders calling on them to use the General Election to #TakeTheLead and commit to making the UK the most active nation in Europe.
The call is being driven by the Active Partnerships network, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the Sport for Development Coalition, ukactive and the Youth Sport Trust, which together represent thousands of organizations, gyms, swimming pools, leisure centers, sports governing bodies and professionals across the UK.
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