SportsNation

The Football Association has launched a five-year, landmark strategy to grow and develop grassroots football in England. Called ‘A Thriving Grassroots Game’, the new strategy aims to support sustainable growth over the next four years, with projections anticipating a further 220,000 new players across 15,000 new teams by 2028. There is also a target of creating 300 new synthetic turf pitches to ensure games and training can go ahead during the winter months. The strategy has been developed in collaboration with the County FA network and follows what the FA describes as “the biggest ever consultation process with the grassroots game across England”. The document sets out a direction of travel for grassroots football in England and outlines five priority areas. These are: ⚽ Improving playing choice and opportunity ⚽ Deliver equal opportunities for women and girls to play ⚽ Build more, and improve existing, facilities ⚽ Tackle poor behaviour ⚽ Develop a valued network of volunteers, coaches and referees FA CEO, Mark Bullingham, said: “Grassroots football has incredible power to unite communities, improve lives and inspire positive change. “Over the next four years we will transform the landscape of our grassroots game by investing in more new quality grass pitches to reach our 12,000 target, alongside over 300 new artificial pitches." Read more: https://lnkd.in/ey9g6KUP #football #grassroots #grassrootsfootball #sport James Kendall

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has officially confirmed Glasgow as the host city of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The 23rd edition of the Games will take place from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August 2026, returning to the city 12 years after the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Glasgow 2026 will feature a smaller, 10-sport programme concentrated across four venues within an eight-mile corridor. The venues are Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena – including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). There will be no athletes’ village with athletes and support staff being housed in hotels across the city. There will also be no major public funding supporting the Games. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eJaKc2m7 Glasgow City Council, sportscotland, Katie Sadleir, Jon Doig, #CommonwealthGames #Glasgow #Glasgow2026 #Sport #MajorEvents

A 48-year-old leisure centre in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, is set to be replaced with the first Passivhaus-standard leisure centre on the island of Ireland. Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will close in December, signalling the beginning of the project. It is anticipated the new centre will open in Spring 2027. The ambitious redevelopment plan – which was awarded £20m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund in 2023 – will see the development of a leisure centre with environmental sustainability at its core. Facilities at the new centre – which is owned by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council – will include an eight-lane swimming pool, a separate learner pool and splash pad area for young children. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ecfDYWSw GRAHAM Group, Passivhaus Trust #Fitness #PublicLeisure #LeisureCentre

The annual social value of community sport and physical activity in England has been calculated at £107.2bn. According to a research report by Sport England – called The Social Value of Sport and Physical Activity in England – the value is made up of £96.7bn in annual wellbeing value for adults, children and young people taking part and volunteering in sport and physical activity. A further £10.5bn is made in wider savings to the health and social care system a year, through relieving pressure on the NHS by means of prevention of illness, reduced mental health service usage, fewer GP visits and a reduced need for informal (unpaid) care. The research – which was based on an in-depth analysis of Sport England’s Active Lives data – was undertaken in partnership with social value advisors State of Life, Sheffield Hallam University and The Manchester Metropolitan University. Published today, the report presents the findings from year one of a three-year study. The annual figures are based on participation, volunteering and population data for the year 2022-23, with all figures in 2023 prices. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eUEufvKQ #Sport #PhysicalActivity #Wellbeing #Research #Health Tim Hollingsworth OBE, Huw Edwards, Tara Dillon FCIMSPA (Ch), ukactive, CIMSPA, Sport and Recreation Alliance, Lisa Wainwright MBE (She/Her), Active Partnerships, Sport for Development Coalition, Youth Sport Trust, Andy Reed OBE, Richard Shaw

ICYMI: Briefing: The demand for raw materials is increasing worldwide and with it the need to use raw materials more efficiently and smartly. Schmitz Foam talk about the role that the company plays in a fully circular economy, with their shock pads able to be reused or recycled. #sustainablesport #sustainability #artificialturf #play https://bit.ly/4f3Mtl8

ICYMI: This year’s SALTEX | Turf Management Show will take place from 30th to 31st October at the NEC Birmingham, marking another milestone in the grounds care industry. Organised by the Grounds Management Association, the exhibition will bring together industry-leading grounds professionals, volunteers, and exhibitors from across the globe, showcasing the latest innovations, trends and practices in grounds management. SportsNation and SAPCA The Sports and Play Construction Association will be among the 400+ brands exhibiting and, with thousands of visitors expected, SALTEX 2024 promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Read more: https://bit.ly/405JfJp

Women in Sport has launched its annual #TimeTogether campaign, which encourages mums and mother figures to team up with their teenage daughters to claim back their right to sport and exercise. The campaign runs from today (21 October) to 1 November 2024 and will see a number of sports providers and clubs around the UK host women’s and girls’ sessions. Women in Sport research shows that nearly half (48%) of girls say their mum is their biggest supporter when it comes to being active. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e4q77RyQ Stephanie Hilborne, Sarah Bellew, Kitty Cahill, Joanna Rowsell MBE OLY AMRSB, #Equality #WomenInSport

ICYMI: Software specialist, Fitronics, has set the stage for an unforgettable experience with its top-tier lineup of speakers at the upcoming Sports Course Summit - Powered by CoursePro and ConnectCX event (in partnership with Proinsight Mystery Shopping). Taking place in November and free to attend, these events promise unparalleled insights and inspiration for industry professionals. Read more: https://bit.ly/3YhzKWd

ICYMI: Sport has woken up to the importance of sustainability. The challenge for the industry now, at all levels, is to establish practices and operations that focus on long-term viability. #sustainablesport #sustainability #football https://bit.ly/3U8JeAB

This year's SAPCA The Sports and Play Construction Association Technical Meeting will include sessions on Sport England's new sustainability strategy, the latest developments in synthetic turf standards and the social impact of sports projects. The event is open to anyone in the sector and also includes a networking dinner. Tickets can be booked via the SAPCA website or by following the link in the article below. https://bit.ly/3ZZU6oc