Swim England ‘looking forward’ to working with Government on new sports strategy

Swim England is ‘looking forward’ to working closely with the Government to ensure aquatic activity plays a key role in getting more people active.

The newly-published ‘Get Active: A strategy for the future of sport and physical activity’ sets out the Government’s ambition for 3.5 million more people in England to be physically active by 2030 – and the creation of a new National Physical Activity Taskforce to monitor progress. 

Three core priorities identified by the Government are:

• Being ambitious in making the nation more active
• Making sport and physical activity more inclusive and welcoming
• Moving towards a more sustainable sector

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s document also states: “Whoever you are, or wherever you live there should be good facilities, a strong network of sports clubs that are open to you, great sport and physical activity opportunities in schools, and confidence in sport and the sector.”

Jane Nickerson, Swim England chief executive, said: “Swim England welcomes the new strategy from the Government which correctly identifies the vital role of sport and physical activity in supporting and improving the health and wellbeing of the nation and recognises the importance of having the right facilities for communities.

“The commitment to sporting integrity and ensuring sport and physical activity is inclusive and welcoming for all aligns with our own Access Aquatics strategy and much activity is already underway through our Heart of Aquatics work.

“We need to see a cross-government approach to promoting and supporting sport and physical activity and so the new taskforce which will monitor the implementation of the plan has the potential to be an important step in the right direction.

“We look forward to working closely with the Government to see how the plan will be fully implemented and ensure swimming and all aspects of aquatic activity will play a key role in getting more people active.”