Credit: ukactive

The breadth and calibre of speakers underlines the primacy of physical activity across all aspects of our daily lives
– Steven Ward, CEO ukactive

Lawrence Dallaglio will lead a speaker line-up from the worlds of sport, health and government to address society’s burning issues at this year’s ukactive National Summit.

Taking place at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster, on Wednesday, 1 November, the summit will explore physical activity as the ‘golden thread’ running through the social challenges in the UK today.

The event will see the release of three landmark ukactive policy reports which will outline the physical activity sector’s increasing role in supporting ageing populations, building more active communities, improving education levels and preventing crime.

Speakers include England Rugby World Cup winner Dallaglio (also founder of the youth sport charity Dallaglio RugbyWorks), Olympic gold-medallist sprinter Darren Campbell and sports minister Tracey Crouch, who will deliver a keynote speech analysing two years’ progress in the government’s strategy for sport.

Penny Mordaunt, minister of state for Disabled People, Health and Work, will speak about how to make physical activity work for all, with a focus on disadvantaged communities.

The afternoon will open with reformed armed robber John McAvoy exploring how physical activity can steer offenders away from crime. Now a world-record holder for indoor rowing and a Nike-sponsored Iron Man athlete, he will explain how he turned his life around after discovering a passion for physical activity.

The event will attract more than 700 delegates, offering networking opportunities and a chance to engage on the big issues facing the worlds of politics and physical activity.

“The breadth and calibre of speakers at Summit 2017 underlines the primacy of physical activity across all aspects of our daily lives," said ukactive CEO Steven Ward.

“Westminster’s QEII Centre will bring together titans of government, business, health and physical activity for an unrivaled day of insight, debate and networking.

“I expect this year’s summit to have a significant bearing on the future direction of the physical activity sector, and indeed, UK society as a whole.”