The Government needs to facilitate more innovation and entrepreneurship to help boost participation figures, according to research released today.

The Sports Think Tank, which is dedicated to independent insightful thinking around sports policy, today released findings that found that 95% of respondents want fresh thinking and independent input to achieve policy goals.

In the wake of the Government's recent launch of a public consultation, New Players, New Tactics, reveals the views of nearly 100 senior executives from around the sports industry. 85% of these respondents said that policy makers should link with 'innovators and entrepreneurs' to 'meet consumer needs'.

It highlights the significant disappointment with the current sports policy and the need for a new strategy that puts the wider outcomes of sport participation and access for all people at its heart.

Andy Reed, co-founder of the Sports Think Tank said: "This report is a first attempt to collect views on what, sports sector professionals, think about existing and future sports policy.

"This report focuses on some of the most pressing issues facing our industry ahead of the Government closing its current consultation. It's time for parts of the sector to embrace new technology and demand-led, consumer trends for improving participation, which will allow us to maximise the potential of sport to help deliver in some critical areas of pubic policy."

Reed added: "Independent space is needed to debate and bring in new thinking from innovators, entrepreneurs, and academic research to ensure the sector can continue to meet the needs of a fast changing society. This will also provide the sector with a stronger evidence-base and intellectual backbone."

While elite success and major events were regarded as the biggest successes in sports policy over the 10 years, and should be continued, clear government leadership and further development of PE and school sport policy should be at the top Government's agenda.

In August, the Sports Minister Tracey Crouch invited the sector to come forward with new ideas as the Government rethinks its strategy in wake of disappointing participation figures ahead of the next post-Olympics sports policy across England.

"I want to make sure that the sports sector gives everybody – no matter who they are and what their ability – the chance to take part…However, public funding is a privilege and not a right and has to organisations that can make a real difference." said the Minister for Sport.

The recent consultation received the support from 11 Government Ministers across Whitehall. The results released today clearly shows the sector is keen to position sport for development at the heart of long-term policy making.

"The Government consultation provides a real opportunity for the sector to bring fresh ideas to the fore and change how we think about sport in this country", continued Reed.

The Government's public consultation on a new strategy for sport closes today, with a view to a new strategy being implemented from early 2016.

Below are some selected survey results:

• 85% say sport should link with 'innovators and entrepreneurs' to 'meet consumer needs'
• 79% think NGBs ned to think 'more creatively' about 'products, pricing, platforms and content'
• 86% want a new '10 year sports strategy'
• Over 70% want the private sector to invest more in 'grass roots sports'
• Only 30% rate current sports policy as 'good'
• 70% think the Government should continue to bid for major events

The Sports Think Tank will use these results to contribute independently to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's public consultation on the new strategy, which closes this week.

You can view the full report here: https://www.sportsthinktank.com/uploads/new-players-new-tactics-final.pdf

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