Five national governing bodies (NGBs) have pledged to work 'more closely' with the leisure sector as part of efforts to increase sports participation numbers.

As part of their commitment to a "long-term strategic alliance with the wider physical activity sector", the five organisations – Badminton England, British Gymnastics, British Weightlifting, British Tennis and Swim England – have all become members of ukactive, the not-for-profit body representing the sector.

The move will allow the five forge closer relationships with ukactive's membership network of gyms, leisure centres and physical activity providers.

The move comes as ukactive's public affairs director Huw Edwards called for all NGBs to make better use of existing facilities within the sector, as well as finding new opportunities to collaborate.

Speaking at the Why Sports Conference in London last week, Edwards said: “NGBs are beginning to see the powerful potential of partnering with the wider physical activity sector in order to boost participation in their sports.

“We stand at the start line of a marathon to shift the way we think about sports facilities and participation, with the power to reimagine existing leisure centres and be more creative in designing new ones.

“Together with Sport England, we want to work with NGBs, leisure centre operators, gyms and other community facilities to bring these sports and services to more people in more locations.

“We look forward to working with our ambitious new members to draw on their expertise as NGBs and help to facilitate new partnerships for them across the sector.”