John Leech MP 'Ramps' up interest in local sports

5.23.55pm GMT Mon 19th Mar 2007

John Leech MP is campaigning for better local sports facilities

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, attended the Central Council of Physical Recreation's (CCPR) 'Sports Surgery' event yesterday at Westminster, where he discussed issues affecting sport and recreation in the South Manchester area with sports experts, including cricket and Strictly Come Dancing star Mark Ramprakash.

The event was an opportunity for MPs to raise matters concerning sport and recreation in their constituency with some of the country's leading policy specialists and to hear about issues that affect the sector across the country.

John Leech MP said:

"Sport and recreation clubs are a vital part of our social fabric and CCPR's surgery has allowed me to raise some of the issues concerning clubs in South Manchester with them.

"It's important we do everything we can to help grassroots sport flourish. United and City may grab all the headlines, but local sports and recreation clubs have a vital role to play in getting people more involved in active lifestyles.

"Sports clubs do some excellent work in South Manchester. They help keep people fit and well, they keep kids off the streets and they teach people new skills and give them confidence to do other things."

Brigid Simmonds, Chair of CCPR, said:

"At CCPR we are working hard to develop sport and recreation in the country and this event was a great occasion to inform MPs on how we could work together to enhance sporting opportunities in local communities."

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

CCPR is the umbrella organisation for around 260 national governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation in the UK, which speaks and acts to promote, protect and provide for the interests of sport and physical recreation at all levels.