Speaking at the ‘Shaping the Future of Sport’ conference in London today, Sport England chairman Derek Mapp, outlined his vision to appoint a Commercial Director charged with raising the additional funding.

 

Mapp said the challenge has not been made easier by the latest Olympic funding announcement but that Sport England will be imaginative and find a way to deliver the ambition.

 

Mapp said: “With a focus on engaging the private sector to attract an additional £50 million investment for community sport, Sport England will achieve it’s aim to get more people involved in sport.

 

"We will draw on the private sector not just for money but as a source of expertise on facilities.”

 

In his speech, Mapp reiterated that Sport England must remember who it is trying to help - people of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities to get more active.

 

Mapp claimed he hopes to make it easier for Sport England’s partner organisations too.

 

His long term ambition, to create a single funding pot for community investment, will free up resources to support action. 

 

Mapp outlined his ambition to focus Sport England on six key areas to achieve world class success.

 

·      To have clear aims, focusing on sustaining and increasing participation in community sport in order to get two million people doing more sport by 2012. 

 

·      Devolve decision making about investment to the nine regional sports boards, which will mean funding decisions will take place locally using the Active People Survey to make sure resources are used where they have the maximum impact on participation. Sports which make the most significant contribution to increasing participation will be rewarded by funding. Those which do not will see their budgets reduce.

 

·      Having a new relationship with its customers: Sport England will seek to understand better the needs of all potential participants in sport and make it easier for them to get involved.

 

·      A holistic view of sport by Government: Sport England will forge links with Regional Development Agencies to ensure the right national, regional and local partnerships are built. The aim is for sport to be at the heart of the local Government performance framework.

 

·      Creation of Community Sports Hub: working alongside the FA and Football Foundation to develop sites that include community and commercial activities. The first two pilots are to be announced later in the year.

 

·      A positive interaction with the media: The media can help get the message out that participation in sport is a driver for safer and more cohesive communities as well as a healthier lifestyle.

 

Mapp added: “Sport England’s aim is to become world class, our aim is clear, come 2012 we want to have increased participation across two million people.

 

“I believe that working with the private sector and devolving power to the regions we help us encourage people of all ages to get involved in sport and physical activity.”