🏟️ Community Sport Facilities

• Local Leisure Provision Impact: Andy MacNae highlighted that local leisure facilities, not being statutory services, have been severely affected by austerity measures, particularly in smaller towns. This has led to a significant reduction in accessible youth activities, contributing to feelings of being left behind.

• Benefits of Sports Facilities: The debate emphasized the economic, health, and societal benefits of sports facilities. Sports were shown to boost confidence and resilience among young people, support economic growth, and aid in reducing health costs through prevention of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

• Youth Engagement and Education: Sports programmes like RugbyWorks were praised for their role in engaging young people, especially those excluded from mainstream education, in education and employment. Evidence showed that these programmes significantly increased employment rates among participants.

• Tackling Unemployment: Sports initiatives like Rossendale Works were discussed as effective in helping people return to work by addressing barriers such as mental health issues, low self-esteem, and skills gaps. However, funding uncertainties were noted as a hindrance.

• Health and NHS Savings: The debate pointed out the potential of sports facilities in reducing NHS costs by preventing health conditions. Sport England’s data showed that sports activities led to significant savings and health improvements, particularly emphasized in improving mental health.

• Crime Reduction through Sport: Community sports were recognized for their role in reducing crime and antisocial behavior, with specific initiatives like the Sunderland Community Action Group’s “Night Riders” initiative highlighted as effective in engaging youth in safer activities.

• Environmental Impact: Investing in modern sports facilities was discussed as a way to contribute to environmental sustainability goals, reducing carbon emissions from older, less efficient facilities.

• Funding and Inequality: There was a call for better-structured funding to support smaller towns and councils which struggle more to maintain or develop sports facilities. The need for a more equitable distribution of sports funding was underlined.

• Innovative Approaches: Examples like the proposed BMX and skateboard academy in Darwen were mentioned as innovative ways to combine education with sports, aimed at engaging at-risk youth and providing them with both sporting and career skills.

• Government Commitment: The Minister, Stephanie Peacock, affirmed the government’s dedication to supporting grassroots sports facilities, with a focus on increasing physical activity and addressing health inequalities through a multi-departmental approach.

• Community Involvement: The importance of community and volunteer involvement in sports was recognized, with volunteers being crucial to the operation and impact of sports facilities. Initiatives like GoodGym were highlighted for their role in tackling loneliness through sports and volunteering.

The parliamentary session on community sport facilities displayed very little disagreement between the participants. The session was characterized by a largely supportive and cooperative dialogue between the speakers. Here is a detailed analysis:

1. Opening Remarks and Motion: The session began with Andy MacNae moving the motion on community sport facilities, emphasizing the importance of sports and the challenges faced due to austerity measures. There was no visible opposition to the motion itself.

2. Interventions and Responses: Interventions from Jim Shannon and Sarah Hall were in agreement with Andy MacNae’s points. Jim Shannon supported the argument for increased access to sports facilities to combat obesity and raised issues around rural connectivity, which were acknowledged by MacNae. Sarah Hall proposed community asset transfers as a beneficial approach, which MacNae also endorsed.

3. Ministerial Response: The Minister, Stephanie Peacock, responded with a strong endorsement of MacNae’s arguments. She acknowledged the importance of community sports facilities, the challenges faced by local authorities, and the Government’s commitment to supporting these areas. Key points included:
   • Recognition of the benefits of physical activity and sport for health and community cohesion.
   • Commitment to investment in grassroots sports facilities and collaboration across Departments.
   • Acknowledgement of the role of volunteers and the economic benefits of sports facilities.
   • Acceptance of the invitation to visit innovative local projects mentioned by MacNae.
4. Examples of Agreement:
   • Both MacNae and Peacock recognized the role of sports in addressing various societal issues, including health, economic, and social challenges.
   • They both agreed on the need for high-quality, accessible sports facilities to support community well-being.
   • The Minister specifically praised MacNae’s work and local examples, indicating alignment on the importance of grassroots initiatives.

Overall, the session was characterized by a consensus that community sports facilities are vital and need further support, with no major points of conflict or disagreement raised throughout the debate.