The ECB’s Get the Game On initiative has been praised by Sport England / JJ pixs / shutterstock.com
Sport England has praised the governing bodies of rugby union, netball and cricket for their insight work after all three saw substantial boosts in participation.
Cricket grew its number of participants by 32 per cent year-on-year to 179,700, netball surged by 9 per cent to 164,100, while rugby union increased its number of players to 196,900, representing a 13 per cent increase.
While the latter benefited from the “unprecedented” effect of hosting last year’s Rugby World Cup, with extensive national interest, Sport England chief executive Jennie Price was quick to highlight the work done by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to bring people into the game with a long-term focus.
“Steve Grainger, the RFU development director, really understands the principles of insight-driven delivery,” Price told Sports Management.
“The RFU spent a lot of time working out what people might want from rugby, and they used initiatives around the World Cup to provide that.”
Price pointed to the RFU’s emphasis on getting older players back into the game, spending money on insight-driven advertising and putting on special sessions as the foundation for the growth.
Netball, said Price, was also doing sophisticated work in terms of insight. She referenced the sport’s Back to Netball initiative – which brings former players back into the game – and the research behind it as one of the reasons for the strong growth in netball players aged over 26.
The England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Get the Game On scheme was lauded by the Sport England boss for its innovative concept and for the flexible way it approaches club games even when teams can’t field full sides.
Price commented that the ECB has become “more insight-driven generally” over the past two or three years, and that clubs were “more relaxed”, facilitating the participation growth it has experienced over the last 12 months.
Last month the quango published its new five-year strategy, which revealed that core money for national governing bodies (NGBs) would shrink from 38 per cent to 29 per cent of its total budget. NGBs will, however, be able to bid from other pots of money if they can produce outcomes consistent with the government’s sport strategy, such as mental and physical health improvement, social cohesion and positive economic output.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
Bellezi Founded in 2009 as a Dutch family business, Bellezi brings more than 20 years of experience in treat [more...]
+ More profiles
DIRECTORY
+ More directory
DIARY
15-18 Jun 2026 HLTH Europe RAI Convention Centre,Amsterdam,Netherlands
17-18 Jun 2026 Elevate London Excel London,London,United Kingdom
