Page 16 - SN 4 July-Aug 2022 cover.indd

NEWS
NAO publishes ‘value for money’ report on grassroots participation in sport
The National Audit Office
(NAO) has published a value for money report into grassroots participation in sport and physical activity. While the report notes that some progress has been made in increasing participation since 2012, it also concludes that leadership and collaboration across government
to drive up levels
of activity has been inconsistent, with the result that the sector’s contribution to wider policy objectives has not been maximised.
The pandemic has had
a detrimental effect on female participation levels
Huw Edwards
The report also
highlights the
detrimental effect
the COVID-19
pandemic has had
on participation
levels, especially
for certain groups
– including women,
those from ethnically
diverse communities and disabled people – who already had below- average levels of activity.
Huw Edwards, ukactive CEO, said: “it is important we reflect on the
lessons from the past 10 years and seize the opportunity to do things differently in the next decade so that we recover the ground lost during the pandemic and ensure many more benefit from sport.”
Arena Group sees strong growth in 2022
Spectators returning in droves to major events have increased demand for Arena Group’s temporary structures – from The Silverstone F1 Grand Prix and The Wimbledon Championships to The Open at St Andrews. This year’s Open, for example, set a new attendance record and was one third larger than in previous years.
Speaking to SportsNation, Ross Robertson, MD of Arena’s Structures’ division, said: “We’re seeing a huge appetite across the board, from public to VIP hospitality, for tickets, which means we’re coming back from the pandemic with increased demand from organisers. The
very nature of temporary
infrastructure means that
we can be flexible to
accommodate their needs.”
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Arena’s 30m x 70m “The Shop” at this year’s The Open
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