Richard Lewis Sport England, Angela Smith MP, Dave Turnbull
At a recent dinner to celebrate the scheme, the BMC and Angela Smith MP for Sheffield Hillsborough were congratulated on the successful partnership by Sport England's chair Richard Lewis (see photo).
BMC CEO Dave Turnbull says: "The partnership scheme has been really useful in helping to raise the BMC's profile within government. We're grateful to Angela for all her support, especially in helping voice the BMC's view for improved coastal access as the Marine & Coastal Access Bill made its way through parliament."
Over the two years Angela Smith spent time getting to know the BMC and participated in several events including:
• a reception at No 10 Downing Street in celebration of British Mountaineering
• the BMC’s AGM
• a mountain rescue team to help in a simulation rescue
• an introductory rock climbing weekend at the national mountain centre at Plas y Brenin, North Wales.
The Parliamentary Sports Fellowship Scheme works to build a better understanding of sport within Parliament, and a stronger partnership between the worlds of sport and politics.
The scheme, which was set up in 2005, matches parliamentarians to a sport and are invited to spend seven days with the representative or governing body to gain a insider’s view on the work they do.
In return, employees from the governing body spend three days shadowing
the Parliamentarian to gain a better understanding and appreciation of how
Parliament works, as well as identify opportunities to work with MPs and Peers.
Sport England is set to relaunch the Fellowship after the general election 2010, when a new MP will be matched to the BMC.
The BMC will retain links with Angela Smith as it does with John Mann MP who was the BMC's previous parliamentarian link under the scheme.
Read more in the Sport England newsletter.