Simon Hayes
CEO, Sport England
Community sports facilities are more than places to exercise — they’re vital social hubs. Yet ageing infrastructure threatens participation, inclusivity and the long-term health of local communities.
When you speak to people about their relationship with sport, they’ll probably have stories of pitches played on, sports halls that housed PE lessons and leisure centres up and down the country where their children learned to swim.
These facilities go beyond a space for exercise. They’re some of our most important social assets where friendships are cultivated, confidence is built and communities are helped to lead healthier, happier lives.
Ageing infrastructure’s impact on communities
Facilities built decades ago are struggling to meet modern needs. Issues range from accessibility and inclusivity to sustainability and cost efficiency; rising energy prices and maintenance costs are pushing many facilities to the brink. Without action, we risk losing these vital local community spaces and services, which millions rely upon.
This matters because access to the right environment shapes who takes part in sport and physical activity. Where facilities are ageing or not designed with diverse local communities in mind, participation falls and inequalities in activity levels increase. Certain groups — like people with disabilities or older people — are less likely to be active.
Access to the right environment
shapes who takes part in sport
and physical activity.
Future of community sport depends on fit-for-purpose facilities
Modernising sporting infrastructure presents opportunities to unlock higher participation in sport and physical activity, which builds stronger communities and drives better local health outcomes. Sport England’s research calculates that active lifestyles prevent more than 3.3 million cases of chronic health conditions a year and save £8bn annually for the health and care system.1
Alongside the Government’s £400 million commitment to invest in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities,2 Sport England is committed to renewing the nation’s sport and physical activity infrastructure. This means prioritising investment where the need is greatest, ensuring no community is left behind. It means creating facilities that are not only fit for purpose today but resilient for future generations to enjoy.
If we’re serious about the future of community sport, we must be serious about the places and spaces where it happens too.
[1] Sport England. (2025). Health, wealth and happiness – the £123bn value of activity. https://tinyurl.com/yj3edhhz.
[2] Department for Culture, Media and Sport & The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP. (2026). New and upgraded grassroots sport facilities to get the UK active. https://tinyurl.com/438nbsx4.
