Decade of Sport

It was interesting to hear James Purnell's ambitious vision for sport outlined in his speech to a Progress seminar this week. He was clear that the argument about the power of sport to deliver against Health, Education and Home Office objectives is well recognised.



I hope so - because from what we're hearing all is still to play for in the allocation of priorities for the current CSR round. There are testimonies after testimonies of how sport, and good role models - coaches, teachers, personal trainers etc have transformed the lives, and life chances of millions of people.



So, if the Secretary of State is right, perhaps the power of the Department of Health's budget could, in part, be re-focused towards sports participation, and the ensuing requirement for qualified coaches, and the DCSF's towards meeting the 5 hour promise for our kids. Who knows, maybe even the Home Office could prioritise team sports - especially in the high-risk, hard to reach population - because surely - every kid needs a chance and a role model.



It's not all about money - but if we are to get the participation agenda right - as we promised in the 2012 bid - getting the nation active will require significant central funding. It will probably need to be allocated locally, but it will require money from central Government. The Secretary of State is right - this could be the decade of sport - where the UK does achieve his vision of world class excellence in participation and performance. But this will not happen by accident - it will require deliberate investment and strategic oversight. And that's the real challenge for the SofS - will he provide the leadership, focus and energy that sport and the nation needs?