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? British Gymnastics will focus on its role as a ‘foundation sport’ for kids / Evgeniia Freeman / shutterstock
The way Sport England uses National Lottery and government funding to invest in and work with national governing bodies of sport is changing. Significantly.
The days of Whole Sport Plans are over. They served a very important purpose throughout the last eight years, highlighting the need to get more people participating in sport. But Sport England is now taking a different approach, starting with the individual consumer and their behaviour.
We’re no longer looking for NGBs to be all things to everyone. We’re no longer asking them to cater to both the keen and committed regulars and the deconditioned population. We’re asking NGBs to focus on those who have a strong affinity with their sport and a habit of regular participation, including talented young athletes.
Why? Well, firstly this was a strong message that came out of the sector during our strategy consultation. Secondly, even though 35 per cent of people have a regular sporting habit, our work isn’t done with them. Life can still get in the way. Moving house, going off to college, having a baby or getting injured can take even the keenest participant away from their sport. We want to help NGBs focus their efforts on making those disruptions easy to overcome.
At the other end of the behaviour scale, we want to encourage people who are inactive to get moving. This requires some serious investment, and to fund this, we need to spend less money on those who already play sport. A reduced subsidy of governing bodies is the inevitable result.
Challenge accepted I’ve been delighted with the way NGBs have responded to the challenge so far, and the plans they’ve developed. There’s a real maturity to the plans – an understanding of what makes a regular player and that commercial income needs to play a bigger role and a genuine commitment to helping under-represented groups.
British Gymnastics, for example, clearly recognises its role as a ‘foundation sport’, teaching young people the physical skills to be competent and confident in other sports. British Tennis will spend most of its time and money in local parks rather than clubs, and will be making tennis venues more inclusive for people with disabilities.
The Rugby Football Union wants to create more ‘pitch up and play’ opportunities, especially for women. England Netball has ambitious plans for its Super League. Basketball England has great new partnerships with both the global brand that is the NBA and local community charities.
Of course, being in receipt of public money is a tremendous responsibility, and not one pound of this funding can be invested unless organisations meet the requirements of the Code for Sports Governance that we published with UK Sport last year. Again, the challenge is tough but the response has been really encouraging, with a commitment to positive change.
Time will tell how well the reality will match the ambition. But the evidence so far tells me that the sports industry believes in the direction we’re taking.
? British Gymnastics will focus on its role as a ‘foundation sport’ for kids / Evgeniia Freeman / shutterstock
The way Sport England uses National Lottery and government funding to invest in and work with national governing bodies of sport is changing. Significantly.
The days of Whole Sport Plans are over. They served a very important purpose throughout the last eight years, highlighting the need to get more people participating in sport. But Sport England is now taking a different approach, starting with the individual consumer and their behaviour.
We’re no longer looking for NGBs to be all things to everyone. We’re no longer asking them to cater to both the keen and committed regulars and the deconditioned population. We’re asking NGBs to focus on those who have a strong affinity with their sport and a habit of regular participation, including talented young athletes.
Why? Well, firstly this was a strong message that came out of the sector during our strategy consultation. Secondly, even though 35 per cent of people have a regular sporting habit, our work isn’t done with them. Life can still get in the way. Moving house, going off to college, having a baby or getting injured can take even the keenest participant away from their sport. We want to help NGBs focus their efforts on making those disruptions easy to overcome.
At the other end of the behaviour scale, we want to encourage people who are inactive to get moving. This requires some serious investment, and to fund this, we need to spend less money on those who already play sport. A reduced subsidy of governing bodies is the inevitable result.
Challenge accepted I’ve been delighted with the way NGBs have responded to the challenge so far, and the plans they’ve developed. There’s a real maturity to the plans – an understanding of what makes a regular player and that commercial income needs to play a bigger role and a genuine commitment to helping under-represented groups.
British Gymnastics, for example, clearly recognises its role as a ‘foundation sport’, teaching young people the physical skills to be competent and confident in other sports. British Tennis will spend most of its time and money in local parks rather than clubs, and will be making tennis venues more inclusive for people with disabilities.
The Rugby Football Union wants to create more ‘pitch up and play’ opportunities, especially for women. England Netball has ambitious plans for its Super League. Basketball England has great new partnerships with both the global brand that is the NBA and local community charities.
Of course, being in receipt of public money is a tremendous responsibility, and not one pound of this funding can be invested unless organisations meet the requirements of the Code for Sports Governance that we published with UK Sport last year. Again, the challenge is tough but the response has been really encouraging, with a commitment to positive change.
Time will tell how well the reality will match the ambition. But the evidence so far tells me that the sports industry believes in the direction we’re taking.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
