Minister Stuart Andrew’s speech for UK Sport Occasion Companions Day

Good morning and thanks for the invitation to talk to you right now in my position as Minister for Sport, Tourism and Civil Society.

It’s a particular privilege to be the Minister answerable for sport, significantly at such an thrilling time for the sector.

2022 was stuffed with unbelievable sporting occasions which can be nonetheless recent within the minds of the British public.

Who might neglect the record-breaking Girls’s Euros and that magical summer season day at Wembley when England have been topped champions, inspiring thousands and thousands with their iconic victory.

Regardless of the challenges of organising worldwide sporting occasions through the pandemic, we delivered on the worldwide stage,

by means of the Commonwealth Video games in Birmingham, alongside different main sporting tournaments

I used to be additionally fortunate sufficient to attend plenty of matches through the ground-breaking Rugby League World Cup which befell in cities and cities throughout England.

The primary Rugby League match to combine the lads’s, ladies’s and wheelchair tournaments with nice success.

And I used to be lucky to attend the thrilling World Gymnastics Championships final autumn which was hosted within the nice metropolis of Liverpool.

I strongly imagine within the energy of main sporting occasions.

They enrich the lives of individuals all throughout the nation.

They carry individuals collectively.

They drive financial progress.

Improve world Britain,

and assist guarantee an enduring social influence and legacy

by means of the world-class grassroots amenities that they depart behind for individuals of all backgrounds to take pleasure in.

That’s the reason the Authorities stays dedicated to bringing the largest and greatest sporting occasions on the planet to this nation.

I’m massively enthusiastic about what’s to return within the months and years forward for internet hosting main occasions within the UK.

For instance, an unprecedented mixed UCI World Biking Championships in Glasgow and throughout Scotland later this 12 months,

a ladies’s Rugby World Cup in 2025,

and, after all, the prospect of a mixed UK & Eire bid for the UEFA EURO 2028 Championships.

I need to take this chance to acknowledge and thank each particular person within the room right now for the exhausting work, grit and dedication that you’ve proven since this occasion was final convened in particular person in 2019.

I understand how tough the intervening interval has been for the game occasions sector and your resilience has been exceptional.

Your exhausting work in 2022 was rewarded with an exceptional assortment of occasions that introduced nice pleasure to the British public, and I can’t wait to work with you on what comes subsequent.

I’m now happy to introduce Simon Morton, Deputy CEO and Director of Main Occasions at UK Sport.

Thank you once more, and I hope you all have a really fulfilling and productive day.