News in Brief
About Us - The Physical Activity Alliance is the national umbrella and connecting body for the whole Physical Activity Sector. Membership details - offering you the opportunity to be part of the voice of the Sector. Follow this link to find out more and join today.
Interesting Stuff - Exercising for just 15 minutes a day can increase your life expectancy by three years compared with doing little or no exercise, according to a major study of more than 400,000 people published in the Lancet." To read the full article click here.
Physical Activity Network - The PAA supports the government’s Public Health Responsibility Deal, recognising our shared ambition to create a healthier and more active nation, engaging with the whole physical activity sector, indoor, outdoor and active travel.
Message from the Chairman – David Teasdale
New CEO Appointed
I am delighted as Chair to announce that the Board of the Physical Activity Alliance has appointed Mark Harrod as Interim CEO. Mark comes in to provide drive, organisation and leadership - on behalf of the Alliance and our wide range of partners and members - and to secure the PAA finances going forward. The position will be reviewed at the end of October.
Mark has been involved with the Alliance through his time as Advocacy Director at Central YMCA, one of our founding bodies. He brings considerable expertise in engaging communities in physical activity, most recently through his leadership of the Well London programme; he has wide experience of our sector through roles including Chair of Camden CSPAN (Community Sport and Physical Activity Network), Vice-Chair of Camden Public Health Partnership and Vice-Chair of ProActive Central London.
Today, there is widespread recognition that “being active is good for you”. But our UK health sector is in restructure, affecting health promotion and physical activity. We can all see new opportunities, but some existing policies and programmes remain under threat. Now more than ever, we believe that the Alliance’s representative voice is needed. More than ever, the Alliance needs to advocate the views of the sector to national and local government and help spread good practice. More than ever, the Alliance has to help ensure that each member of every community in England has the opportunity and encouragement to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
The Board looks forward to working with Mark and the whole physical activity sector to achieve the real change we all seek.