Last month saw the reopening of outdoor sports facilities including swimming pools, golf courses, sports pitches, and courts. And, given its importance to our health and wellbeing, this signals a major step on the nation’s road to recovery.
For many the measures will come as a massive relief after a challenging few months and I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting some of our much-loved local sports sites including Knole Park Golf Club and the Sevenoaks Lawn Tennis Club over the last few weeks. It is truly heart-warming to see the smiling faces of the visitors and the return of friendly competition.
I was particularly pleased to see youth sport a top priority in the Prime Minister’s roadmap. The Government is now urging everyone to use the reopening of sport facilities to help children follow the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance and aim for at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, with adults aiming for at least 150 minutes, or two and a half hours, a week. This is an initiative I fully support. Over the past year schools and parents have worked incredibly hard to prioritise the importance of physical activity. Children have responded to parents becoming PE teachers, and to campaigns such as PE with Joe and Sport England’s ‘Join the Movement’. However, the reality is that activity levels have still dropped in lockdown.
That’s why outdoor grassroots sport reopening is so important. While some of you have waited patiently for the moment you can get back to playing the sports you love, I also hope others will use this opportunity to take up a new sport. No matter what age or ability, there will be a sport out there for you.
Exercise and outdoor sports are well documented to reduce individuals’ risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer by up to 50% and lower risk of early death by up to 30%. The reopening of the outdoors sports sector will help reduce the impacts of these debilitating diseases and in turn reduce pressure on the NHS. Physical activity is also known to improve health outcomes which can include improving mental health through better sleep, happier moods, and managing stress and anxiety.
The long wait is over and to celebrate I urge everyone to join me in lacing up their trainers, getting outside and enjoying all the positive benefits sport can bring. Now is our opportunity to build back fitter, healthier and happier from this pandemic. Sport and physical activity must be at the heart of our national recovery and we all now have a role to play so that everyone can experience the benefits being active brings.
