MP recognises Importance of Sport

MP recognises Importance of Sport

Tony Wright MP recently attended an event at the Houses of Parliament, entitled ‘The Importance of Sport’. The guest speaker was coaching legend, Sir Clive Woodward. Sir Clive is the man who is now leading the charge for medals at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as British Olympic Association Director of Elite Performance.

The gathering was arranged by the Sports Caucus, a group of backbench MPs, chaired by Andy Reed MP, with the support of UK Sport, Sport England, CCPR, LGA and BISL. The event itself served to raise awareness amongst MPs and Peers, concerning the importance of both grassroots and elite sport to constituencies and to the UK as a whole. Also, speaking was Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport.

Tony said:

‘Sport plays a huge role in our society and provides both health and economic benefits. With the London Olympics coming up in 2012 it is important that we give sport all the support it needs and encourage it both at grassroots and professional levels to ensure we remain a world class sporting nation.’

The economic and health benefits of sport were outlined, as well as the contribution sport makes to social cohesion and crime reduction. Local Sports Clubs and Participation rates within individual constituencies were of particular interest to MPs, who were informed about the regulatory burden facing clubs- alcohol and music licensing, water drainage rates and CRB checks to name but a few.