News & Updates
Sport England Newsletter September 2020
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Children’s activity levels have fallen during lockdown
The hugely important role played by schools in helping children build a healthy relationship with sport and physical activity is being emphasised as they reopen.
Our chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: “Large numbers of children tell us that not being at school has negatively impacted on their ability to get active”.
So with schools across England now reopening, this is a crucial time to help children increase the amount of sport and activity they’re doing.
We know from our Active Lives Children and Young People Survey that when young people are active, it doesn’t just benefit their physical health – there’s strong evidence they’re happier, more resilient and more trusting of others, and there’s a strong association between young people being active and better mental health.
Making gyms and pools more accessible
This Girl Can’s survey has led to some key recommendations
This Girl Can has revealed the things women want to see in gyms and pools to help them go back in greater numbers.
The campaign has published the results of a new survey which showed as many as 87% of the This Girl Can community feel safe to return with anti-coronavirus (Covid-19) measures in place.
However, while gyms have clearly done an excellent job in supporting and helping people to feel safe, just 27% of women have told us they’ve visited a gym since they were allowed to reopen, with even fewer having visited a swimming pool (13%).
The survey found women would feel more comfortable going to gyms and pools if small things, such as hooks by the pool to hang towels and a reduction in full-length mirrors, were introduced.
Sign up for our latest new strategy webinar
The event takes place on Thursday 10 September
We’ll be hosting a webinar looking at the future for sport and physical activity and updating our partners on how our new strategy is developing.
The event will take place between 11am-noon on Thursday 10 September and will be led by our chief executive Tim Hollingsworth.
We’ve received an incredible amount of feedback on our emerging direction, Shaping Our Future, since we published it in April and the session will explore the current situation and the role we can play over the next decade.
Independent review into gymnastics
The Whyte Review will look into allegations of mistreatment
An independent review into allegations of mistreatment within gymnastics has formally begun.
The review, which has been co-commissioned by us and UK Sport, follows a series of serious allegations being made in recent months about the treatment of gymnasts at all levels of the sport.
It will address whether:
gymnasts’ wellbeing and welfare is (and has been) at the centre of the culture of British Gymnastics, its registered clubs and member coaches and if not, why not
safeguarding concerns and complaints have been dealt with appropriately in the sport of gymnastics and if not, why not
gymnasts, or their parents, carers or guardians, have felt unable to raise complaints with appropriate authorities and if so, why.
The review will be undertaken by Anne Whyte QC, a highly respected and experienced barrister with an extensive record of acting in complex criminal and civil litigation, as well as non-recent and institutional forms of abuse, both physical and sexual.
Return of The Game Changers podcast
We’re supporting the new series that hears from women in sport
Sue Anstiss has written a blog for our website explaining why the new series of The Game Changers podcast, which she hosts, is as necessary as ever.
We’ve helped fund the new series, which will hear from Eleanor Oldroyd, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Judy Murray, Ebony Rainford-Brent and many other influential women.
Get ready for the Great British Week of Sport
Promote your events on a new activity finder
The first ever Great British Week of Sport will take place between 19-27 September.
The ukactive event – which will celebrate the power sport and activity has on our physical, mental and social wellbeing – will form the bedrock of the UK’s delivery of the European Week of Sport and includes National Fitness Day on Wednesday 23 September.
A series of events across the week will showcase the huge variety of sports and physical activities which help people of all ages to be more active.
You can promote any events you’ll be holding during the week to the public via a special activity finder. You can upload your event now by clicking here.
More information about the week is available on their website, while you can help promote the week by using the hashtag #BeActive on social media and by following @GBweekofsport on Twitter.
Don’t miss the Silverfit 10 Challenge
Older adults benefit from exercising with younger people
Silverfit and TSB have created a fun fitness challenge the whole family can enjoy this September.
The 10 Challenge is designed for mixed generation pairs to walk, jog or run together over any distance involving 10 to help the Silverfit community reach the ultimate collective goal of 10,000 miles.
Research indicates that older adults benefit greatly from inter-generational connections with younger people, keeping them healthier and happier in later life.
Please promote this great challenge to your networks.
Support UK Coaching Week 2020
Find out how you can support the campaign
UK Coaching Week will take place between 14-20 September.
This year, the public awareness campaign – which empowers athletes, coaches and the public to celebrate great coaching – will centre on the need the to support the coaching community.
You can get involved by using the hashtag #UKCoachingWeek2020 on social media, while more information about the week can be found on UK Coaching’s website.