Fenland and Peterborough two of most inactive areas in country
Sport England plans to invest in these and more than 50 other areas
Fenland and Peterborough are two of more than 50 places in England to get government funding to get more adults and children active.
More than a third of adults living in the country’s most deprived areas are not getting enough physical activity, according to new research by Sport England.
The public body warned of a “postcode lottery” as its findings showed 34% of less affluent adults fell within the category, compared with only 20% from the least deprived areas.
"It's scary more adults don't get involved in physical activity," Stuart Harris, co-CEO at RKA Kickboxing Academy in March, said.
"I think if there was investment from Sport England in current facilities, we can offer different services, different schemes to entice people to get fit."
How much is being invested?
Sport England invests up to £300 million of National Lottery and Government money annually into projects and programmes that help people get active and play sport.
Women, people from lower socio-economic groups and black and Asian people still remain less likely to be active than other adults, while less than half of children currently meet the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines for daily physical activity.
A Sport England report published last year found healthy, active lifestyles save the health and care system £10.5 billion a year by relieving pressure on the NHS, preventing chronic illnesses and saving money through reduced use of health services such as mental health support.
The body will partner with local organisations and leaders in 53 places who understand what facilities are available to support people to play sport and get active in their respective communities.
“It is unacceptable that for many children and adults, their postcode, background and income dictate how active and healthy they can be – even affecting how long they might live," Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive at Sport England, said:
“Inequality in activity levels damage health and undermine growth; we want to end the postcode lottery for physical activity."
Being 'a role model'
Since 2020, RKA Kickboxing Academy welcomes around 160 members from across the Cambridgeshire Fens and neighbouring counties, with 11 specialist coaches.
Stuart believes investing around "£2 million into the Fenland area" could have a "big impact on people's lives".
"A lot of people can be put off (kickboxing) thinking it might be contact based or what they see on the TV and once they start, they realise how intense of a workout it is and what it does for their mindset as well as their physical wellbeing."
As well as health benefits, Stuart, 50, believes staying physically active can be important for family reasons, too.
"To be a role model, that's what it's all about and being someone people can say 'I want to do what he's doing at that age'," he added.
"I don't want to be one of those grandads that can't interact with their grandchild and I don't think anyone would want to be in that position; it's about looking to the future."