Cath Bishop’s article captures perfectly the need for structural change and innovation to drive sustainable sport and activity for society (Too many of us were traumatised by sport at school – but it’s never too late to change, 12 May ).
With multiple layers of evidence pointing to the benefits of an active and healthy nation, why do we struggle as a society to ensure that it is embedded in everyone’s day-to-day lives? Experiences in childhood shape so much: if we enjoy something or are encouraged to do it then we are more likely to continue. Preschool, school, parents, media and many other things shape what we do and what we become.
School is mandatory, so sport/physical activity should be too; building a habit early on means it is more likely to continue in later life. Instead, we have reduced the amount of time given to sport on the school curriculum, said competition is bad, sold off playing fields and reduced the number of those able to teach multiple sports or activities.
