Boardman backs mayor power over sport funds

Sport England Welcomes Empowerment of Local Communities

Chris Boardman, Chair of Sport England, has publicly endorsed the Government's recent ambition to grant communities significantly greater influence over decisions regarding sport and physical activity in their specific regions. In a statement following the Prime Minister's announcement, Boardman highlighted that this initiative aligns perfectly with Sport England's core philosophy of placing local people at the heart of investment strategies.

Reflecting on his previous tenure working alongside the Prime Minister in Greater Manchester, Boardman noted the success of early partnerships designed to improve lives through community-led decisions. He emphasised that these principles now form the bedrock of Sport England's national approach, operating through Place Partnerships in over 90 locations across England.

"We welcome the Prime Minister’s ambition to give communities greater influence," Boardman stated. "This is an approach Sport England strongly supports because we know what can be achieved when local people shape local investment."

The Cabinet's latest statement, titled 'Rewiring the State', outlines a comprehensive review of how responsibilities and funding are distributed between central government, arm’s-length bodies, and local leaders. As England’s national body for sport and physical activity, Sport England utilises its extensive network of colleagues working alongside community partners to understand specific barriers faced by residents.

This new direction strongly aligns with the organisation's long-term strategy, 'Uniting the Movement', which focuses on tackling inequalities in sport and ensuring that geography or background do not dictate access to an active lifestyle. Recent data from the Active Lives Adult Survey indicates that while 64.6% of adults in England are now active, significant disparities remain.

By continuing to invest in local partnerships and evidence-led interventions, Sport England is committed to closing these gaps and creating lasting change for everyone.