Outdoor recreation features in Westminster sports strategy meeting

Posted by Catherine Flitcroft on 12/01/2016

The BMC discusses the importance of outdoor recreation in the government's new sport strategy with Tracey Couch MP, the Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage.

During yesterday’s meeting of the All-Party Group (APPG) for Sport, the BMC along with a number of other sporting bodies were able to talk to the Minister for Sport about the government’s vision for a new sport strategy and the importance of outdoor recreation within it.

The Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, Tracey Couch MP, was clear that outdoor activities such as climbing and hill walking were an essential and integral part of the new sports strategy. She confirmed that there will be a cross-departmental approach to addressing greater participation in outdoor sport and recreation with a view to reducing the burden on the Health Service. A number of outdoor organisations engaged with the Minister after the meeting to talk through some of the details which will emerge in the coming months.

The publication of the government’s new sport strategy back in mid-December was greatly welcomed by the BMC. Importantly, the document recognises the role of outdoor recreation and natural features in getting more people active alongside ‘non-traditional’ sports and physical activity as well as the economic value of outdoor tourism. Our summary of the key headlines can be found here.

The BMC continues to provide the Secretariat to the APPG for Mountaineering and will be holding its first meeting in Westminster on 1 March.

We want to say a big thanks to every BMC member who continues to support us through the Coronavirus crisis.

From weekly Facebook Lives and GB Climbing home training videos, to our access team working to re-open the crags and fight for your mountain access, we couldn’t do it without you.

Did you know that we've just launched a new U27 membership offer for just £1.50 / month? And with full membership from £2.50 / month, it's never been easier to join and support our work:

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/join-the-bmc-for-1-month-U27-membership

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