Page 39 - Spring 2019

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and volunteering is not the norm,” said the organisation’s chief executive, Nick Pearson. 39
“Our growth over the past 14 years has been organic and to a large degree dictated by
community demand, not need.
“If we are to realise our target of increasing the number of parkrun events by one third in
socially deprived areas in England over the next three years, we require a level of investment
that will allow us to be proactive rather than organic in our approach. “We are now in a posi-
tion to build on our message and encourage more people to walk, jog, run and volunteer at
our events by growing into new areas and engaging new audiences.”
Major investment to increase activity
Major investment to increase activity
Ten national governing bodies (NGBs) have been given more support to help people keep or
develop their sporting habit.
More than £16 million will be
spent on the 10 sports over
the next two years to help
work Towards an Active Na-
tion.
The 10 NGBs will use
their awards across everything
from tackling inactivity to de-
veloping talented athletes.
While many NGBs were
awarded full funding for the
2017-21 period two years ago,
these 10 were awarded initial
funds but also given another two years to develop business cases or illustrate positive results
before applying for further funding in the 2019-21 period to continue to help people get, or re-
main, active.
Angling Trust, Baseball Softball UK, the British Equestrian Federation, the England and
Wales Cricket Board, England Netball and Volleyball England will focus their resources on main-
taining and building their existing base of participants. While British Cycling and Exercise Move-
ment and Dance UK will prioritise recruiting those people who regularly dip in and out of exercise
and Swim England will look to engage the quarter of the adult population who do fewer than 30
minutes of physical activity a week.
The final investments will see Volleyball England, British Fencing and England Netball
focus on supporting their talented or high performance athletes. “Millions of people love sport
and take part regularly and we don’t take their commitment for granted," said our executive di-
rector of sport Phil Smith. "Even the most enthusiastic people can sometimes find it hard to
maintain the habit, especially when life gets in the way.
“This funding of national governing bodies is to help increase the number of people engaged in
sport, through investing in clubs, coaches, facilities, equipment and new ways to play. “Alongside
this, some of our investment will support talented athletes to fulfil their potential, such as the
England Netball team, who are heading in to a home World Cup this year with high hopes.”
People with learning disabilities given
People with learning disabilities given
help to get active and boost confidence.
help to get active and boost confidence.
New Mencap project encourages participants to turn
New Mencap project encourages participants to turn
exercise into miles and journey round the world
exercise into miles and journey round the world
More than 4,000 people with learning disabilities are being invited to take on a new Round the
World Challenge as we invest £1 million over three years with Mencap. A total of 27 participation
hubs will be set up across England with the aim of inspiring and assisting people with learning
disabilities to get active in a fun, flexible and empowering way.