Society's Unheralded Champions - Sport

A NATIONAL LOTTERY REPORT 2020

Sport

UK’S PASSION FOR SPORT INCREASES DESPITE CORONAVIRUS

Within days of experiencing a national lockdown earlier this year, the UK found itself dealing with the loss not only of attending and enjoying live sports events, but of physically engaging in them too.

In their wake, sit-ups with the inexhaustibly upbeat Joe Wicks and solo jogging with Couch To 5k became the norm for millions as the UK grappled with how to stay fit safely. Football matches echoing in empty stadiums have become an eerie and familiar sight, while tens of thousands rallied together to take part in the London Marathon from a distance. But these extraordinary times have also seen a dramatic increase in our

67%

Two out of three people (67%) say the pandemic has increased their love of sports and being active

collective love for sport – and in our admiration for those who deliver it, new figures show.

The report also highlights the unsung heroes of local sports: Volunteers.

The results of a new UK-wide study commissioned by The National Lottery and published today show that, despite people in communities up and down the country being significantly restricted in the amount of sporting activities they can take part in, almost 2 in 3 say the pandemic has increased their appreciation for being active.

Nearly half, 44%, believe 2020 should be the year we celebrate community sports people in the same way we celebrate professionals1, with one in three, 38%, saying that the trying circumstances have made them more appreciative of local sports volunteers and their efforts in keeping clubs in operation.

The findings, taken from the results of 6,000 people, reveal that half of those (52%) that normally interact with sport are missing at least one activity, whether that is watching it, playing it, or visiting gyms, pools and exercise classes. The figures rise to nearly two thirds with people who regularly engage with one of these activities.

The importance of local clubs and grassroots initiatives also came to the fore, demonstrating how team sports improve physical and mental wellbeing through social interaction. Almost 60% of people who usually attend a local sports club admitted to missing other players.

A total of 44% of those questioned believe 2020 should be the year we celebrate community sports people in the same way as we celebrate professionals, 14% disagreed and 41% were undecided. i

Tim Hollingsworth, Stewart Harris, Sarah Powell and Antoinette McKeown – CEOs of Sport England, sportscotland, Sport Wales and Sport Northern Ireland respectively, said in a joint statement: “Sport at every level faces unprecedented disruption, but these encouraging findings show that, for many, its significance in people’s lives has actually increased.

“With the help of The National Lottery’s players, thousands of grassroots sports workers and volunteers from local clubs and organisations across the UK have been be able to continue to help people and communities to remain active, connected and motivated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Grassroots sport also has a fundamental role to play in providing much needed physical and mental wellbeing in these difficult times.”

The COVID-19 global pandemic has also hugely impacted plans for elite sport in 2020, with the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics being rearranged for 2021.

The pandemic has affected all athletes’ training programmes and competitive schedules this year, with many responding to the wider challenges in the same way as the UK population at large – by volunteering, supporting local charities and even re-joining the NHS.

60% Half

63%

Almost two thirds (60%) of people that usually go to a local sports club have missed seeing people this year during lockdowns Half (48%) of those that play team sports say they look up to their local sport coach the same way they do as other top-level coaches

Almost 2 in 3 (63%) of sport fans of sport fans say the pandemic has increased their appreciation of being active

Almost two thirds of people who usually go swimming (64%), go to the gym (63%) or watch live sports in stadiums (60%) have missed doing so during lockdowns this year.

Alastair Cook KBE, said: “Every sports fan and player knows the positive impact that grassroots clubs, projects, coaches and volunteers have on individuals and local communities. This has obviously been a year like no other, a year where those unheralded champions of sport have stepped forward and done all they can to keep people motivated and engaged in sport and physical activity. A year when the support given to grassroots sports projects from people playing The National Lottery - which raises £30m a week for good causes – has never been needed more. It is fitting that all this hard work by countless individuals is recognised – and what better way to do that than by renaming iconic sports venues in their name. They fully deserve the recognition now more than ever.”

Hannah Mills, Olympic and World champion sailor said: “2020 has greatly impacted all sports at grassroots level in particular, and thousands of people have not been able to get the health benefits of being outside on the water and being active as they usually would. The findings from The National Lottery show how much people have missed the physical and social side of being part of their local clubs and Ken has helped keep smiles on people’s faces and boost morale through his work. On behalf of the whole sailing community, we are very grateful for the work done by sports volunteers across the country this year.”

Shahidul Alam (Ratan), CEO, Capital Kids Cricket “At Capital Kids Cricket, we look to improve the physical, social and emotional development of disadvantaged children and young people living in the most deprived areas of London. We are a fully inclusive organisation who provide a range of sporting and social opportunities. Activities are carried out in state schools, hospitals, community centres, local parks and residential centres away from London, as we want to have a positive impact on every disadvantaged child and young person in the capital. We would like to thank National Lottery players for the funding that helps us to engage and enrich thousands of children each year.”

Carl Frampton MBE, former two-weight world champion boxer, said: “Celebrating and championing the often unseen but hugely impactful work done by grassroots sports clubs is something I absolutely support. From local through to professional level, sport can often be found at the heart of communities, helping support us when we most need it as well as motivating us with the possibilities for more hopeful times in the future. The support of National Lottery players who have continued to buy tickets and play games goes a long way to helping sport clubs across Northern Ireland and the whole of the UK not only keep people communities healthy, but also brings lots of happiness and pride to people - and never have we all needed that than in 2020.”

Six-time Olympic gold medallist, Sir Chris Hoy, said “I have been honoured to talk to some amazing, compassionate and caring people this year that have done amazing things to help others in their communities in response to the pandemic with funding from The National Lottery. Just the other day I chatted to a woman called Kirsteen Torrance whose hard work and dedication this year is nothing short of inspirational. As a volunteer at Burntisland Emergency Action Team she has delivered hundreds of prescriptions and food parcels to vulnerable people in their local area on their bikes. From grassroots through to elite, sport at all levels plays a valuable role in supporting and strengthening us in the hard times as well as motivating us with the possibilities for the good times still to come. The funding raised by National Lottery players has been vital through this challenging period for many individuals, groups and communities across Scotland as we try to negotiate these extraordinary times.�