Latest news with #ChrisBoardman
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Sport England chair issues plea to Ofcom after ‘vile' Jess Carter abuse
Sport England chair Chris Boardman has formally raised concerns with government regulator Ofcom regarding the escalating online abuse targeting the England Women's team during Euro 2025. The intervention follows England defender Jess Carter 's decision to step back from social media after revealing she had received "a lot of racial abuse" during the tournament in Switzerland, a matter the Football Association has referred to the police. Boardman's letter, addressed to Dame Melanie Dawes, chief executive of the communications regulator, highlighted a "recent wave of racist and sexist abuse" directed at players. He urged the body to deploy its full powers to tackle online trolls. While acknowledging record levels of engagement and participation in women's sport, Boardman warned that "the toxic culture that persists online, particularly on social media, threatens to undermine this progress". The abuse faced by the athletes 'not only causes personal harm but also sends a damaging message to the next generation of girls who aspire to follow in their footsteps', Boardman wrote. 'Research on behalf of our This Girl Can campaign has shown a fear of judgement is a huge barrier to women being active, and abuse of our elite athletes online only increases reservations amongst those taking part at a community level.' The letter calls on Ofcom to use the powers it has under the Online Safety Act 2023 to address the abuse, saying it has 'a vital role to play'. 'We are particularly interested in how the new codes can be used to address the kind of targeted abuse we are seeing,' Boardman wrote. 'We understand that Ofcom has also issued draft guidance on improving online safety for women and girls, and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss how these measures can be strengthened and enforced. 'For too long internet trolls have been given free rein by the big tech companies to spread bile and misery, and this cannot be allowed to continue.' Jessica Zucker, online safety director at Ofcom, said: 'No one should have to put up with this kind of vile abuse. The UK's new online safety laws mean tech firms must now take action when they know someone's broken the law on their platform. 'When all the rules are fully in force, the largest social media sites will also have to give users more power to filter out anything that isn't illegal. 'And we've set out ways online services should go further to tackle misogyny and pile-ons that are targeted at women. 'We'll be holding companies to account, but this needs to happen alongside effective education and law enforcement against the individuals who post illegal abuse.'
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ofcom warned toxic abuse threatens female sport
The head of Sport England has written to Ofcom, the communications industry regulator, to express its "deep concern regarding the recent wave of racist and sexist abuse" directed at England's women's football team on social media. Chris Boardman, the chairman of the community sport funding agency, said "the toxic culture that persists online threatens to undermine" efforts to increase rates of female participation. Lionesses defender Jess Carter has revealed she has been targeted with online racist abuse throughout the tournament. In a letter seen by BBC Sport, Boardman warned: "This behaviour is abhorrent and unacceptable in any context, but it is especially disheartening given the progress we have made in championing women and girls in sport. "Through Sport England and National Lottery investment, we have committed hundreds of millions of pounds to increase participation, visibility and opportunity for women and girls in sport." In October 2023, the Online Safety Act became law, ensuring social media platforms have a duty to protect users from content such as racism, with Ofcom responsible for enforcing the legislation, and developing codes of practice to guide tech companies. However, some anti-racism campaigners believe there needs to be more urgency. "The Online Safety Act 2023 provides a framework to address illegal and harmful content, including hate speech and misogynistic abuse," wrote Boardman. "We are particularly interested in how the new codes can be used to address the kind of targeted abuse we are seeing. We understand that Ofcom has also issued draft guidance on improving online safety for women and girls, and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss how these measures can be strengthened and enforced. "For too long, internet trolls have been given free rein by the big tech companies to spread bile and misery, and this cannot be allowed to continue. "Could you please advise what further steps can be taken within the current regulatory framework to tackle misogyny and racism online?" Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Sport that social media companies and Ofcom "need to do more". "I think the act will continue to be tested every time a problem surfaces and it's incumbent on those such as Ofcom and social media platforms to be proactive in rooting this out," she said. "We brought in the Online Harms Act this year to make sure there are sanctions for companies that don't take this content down and we are doing a lot of work in schools to educate young people about the impact of online abuse but it's incumbent on all of us to call this out. "It's absolutely disgraceful what [Jess Carter] has had to put up with and we are completely behind her and the Lionesses." Ofcom has been approached for comment. Taking the knee 'not good enough' - Wiegman More abuse as women's football grows - Bronze 'The abuse never stops' - Lionesses to avoid social media
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
DCMS announces £900m funding for grassroots sport and major events including Euros and Tour de France
The government has announced £900m of investment in British sport, with £500m going towards hosting global events and £400m allocated to grassroots facilities. The list of events in line for major government backing include the 2027 Tour de France, which will see the men's race begin in Edinburgh and take in Wales and England en route; Euro 2028, played out across the four home nations and Ireland; and the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. The government expects the men's Euros alone to generate a £2.5bn economic boost across the UK. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport secretary Lisa Nandy said: 'This major backing for world-class events will drive economic growth across the country, delivering on our Plan for Change. 'Coupled with strong investment into grassroots sport, we're creating a complete pathway to allow the next generation of sporting heroes to train and take part in sport in communities across the UK.' The grassroots funding is designed to support local sports clubs to build new pitches, changing rooms, floodlights and other facilities for communities across the country. Chris Boardman, chair of Sport England said: 'The government's continued investment into grassroots sport facilities is welcome news; the nation's pitches, pools and leisure centres play a pivotal role in keeping people moving. 'With every £1 invested in community sport and physical activity generating £4.20 in value for our economy, supporting grassroots facilities isn't just good for public health — it's a smart investment in the nation's social and economic wellbeing.' Funding for the DCMS, which covers the four-year period from 2025/26 up to 2028/29, was outlined in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' spending review last week. Total spending at the department will be reduced by 1.4 per cent over the review period compared to the previous four years.
Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Telegraph
It will take more than the threat of harsher sentences to tackle antisocial cycling
SIR – I am pleased that dangerous cyclists will be subject to harsher penalties (' Cyclists face life in prison for killing pedestrians ', report, April 25). This move is long overdue. However, more needs to be done. On Thursday, while I was queuing at a red traffic light, a cyclist simply ignored it and shot through, disregarding the stationary traffic. Without a proficiency test, insurance, registration plates or even (in many cases) a bell, such people will continue to be a menace on our roads. Nigel Williams Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire SIR – I welcome the proposed changes to the penalties for causing death by dangerous cycling. These are entirely compatible with the desire of Chris Boardman, the former Olympic gold medal-winner, that no one should be put off cycling. To imply that deterring cyclists from breaking the law – which they do whenever they go through a red light, or cycle on pavements or around pedestrians on zebra crossings – is somehow an obstacle to responsible and considerate cycling is counterintuitive and ultimately counterproductive. In memory of Kim Briggs and other victims of dangerous cycling, and in recognition of the risk that those with mobility or visual impairments run every time they cross the road (especially in central London), Mr Boardman should use his powerful voice to warn cyclists that the greatest threat they face is not from the car. It is from a backlash against reckless and illegal cycling behaviours. Lord Shinkwin (Con) London SW1 SIR – The changes to the penalties faced by irresponsible cyclists are long overdue and very welcome. Not surprisingly, Chris Boardman – who is reluctant to place any blame at cyclists' door – opposes the measures. He claims that more people are killed by cows and lightning than by cyclists. Quite possibly – but those deaths are pretty much unavoidable, whereas deaths caused by the reckless behaviour of people on bikes are not. Vincent Hearne Chinon, Indre-et-Loire, France
The Independent
27-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
More than a third of adults inactive in most deprived places
More than a third of adults living in the country's most deprived areas are not getting enough physical activity, according to new research by Sport England. The public body warned of a 'postcode lottery' as its findings showed 34% of less affluent adults fell within the category, compared with only 20% from the least deprived areas. It comes as Sport England announced plans to invest in activity levels in more than 50 new places currently struggling to provide it, including major cities such as Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton. Women, people from lower socio-economic groups and black and Asian people still remain less likely to be active than other adults, while less than half of children currently meet the Chief Medical Officer's guidelines for daily physical activity. A Sport England report published last year found healthy, active lifestyles save the health and care system £10.5 billion a year by relieving pressure on the NHS, preventing chronic illnesses and saving money through reduced use of health services such as mental health support. The body will partner with local organisations and leaders in 53 places who understand what facilities are available to support people to play sport and get active in their respective communities. It has been testing its 'Place-based approach' since 2018 by taking a bespoke approach to each area, identifying the major barriers to activity that each place faces and working to dismantle them. Recent examples include using football, gardening and walking to integrate refugees into the communities, influencing housing plans in Exeter and providing gentle dance classes for older people to help them rehabilitate after a fall. Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: 'It is unacceptable that for many children and adults, their postcode, background and income dictate how active and healthy they can be – even affecting how long they might live. ' Inequality in activity levels damage health and undermine growth; we want to end the postcode lottery for physical activity. 'Uniting the Movement's mission is to make sure we all have the opportunity to lead an active life, which is essential for the growth agenda too. Sport and physical activity are not just good for health; they are acts of economic contribution.' Chair Chris Boardman said health inequalities had 'become embedded in our communities' and that rising levels of inactive children were 'a ticking time bomb for the long-term health and wealth of the country' that must be addressed urgently. Sport England invests up to £300 million of National Lottery and Government money annually into projects and programmes that help people get active and play sport. The full list of places securing new investment was: – Ashfield– Barnsley– Barking and Dagenham– Blackpool– Boston– Brent– Castle Point– Cheshire East– Cheshire West and Chester– Cumberland– Darlington– Derby– Dudley– East Lindsey– Erewash– Fenland– Gateshead– Gravesham– Great Yarmouth– Harlow– Hartlepool– Ipswich– King's Lynn & West Norfolk– Kingston upon Hull– Kirklees– Knowsley– Leicester– Liverpool– Milton Keynes– North East Lincolnshire– North Northamptonshire– Nottingham– Peterborough– Portsmouth– Rotherham– Sandwell– Sefton– Slough– Southampton– South Tyneside– Spelthorne– Stockton-on-Tees– Stoke-on-Trent– Swindon– Thanet– Thurrock– Tower Hamlets– Walsall– Warrington– West Northamptonshire– West Suffolk– Wirral– Wolverhampton
