What a fantastic start to 2017!
The UK has become the first country in the world to officially recognise Parkour/Freerunning as a sport, after all the Home Country Sports Councils approved Parkour UK’s application for recognition of the sport and the National Governing Body.
The recognition of Parkour/Freerunning as a sport & Parkour UK as the National Governing Body (NGB) by the Home Country Sports Councils – Sport England, Sport Wales, sportscotland, Sport Northern Ireland and UK Sport follows completion of the UK recognition process by Parkour UK.
Parkour UK began the formal recognition process in March 2013, with the pre application for recognition approved in March 2014. The full application for recognition was submitted in August 2015 and was recommended for approval by the UK Recognition Panel in Dec 2015. During 2016 the Boards of the Home Country Sports Councils approved the full application for recognition, with the final confirmation of recognition being confirmed in October 2016.
Our very own Brad Wendes is an Elected Director on the board of Parkour UK and has been heavily involved in the application process.
Recognition will enable Parkour/Freerunning groups and organisations affiliated to Parkour UK to apply to the home country sports councils for lottery or exchequer funding to support the development of the sport locally in each home nation.
Minister for Sport, Tracey Crouch, said:
“I want people to get out there and find the sport and physical activity that appeals to them and Parkour is certainly a fun, creative and innovative option. I am pleased that it has been recognised as a sport, giving it the platform for further growth in this country, with Parkour UK as its governing body. The sport promotes movement and using the great outdoors as a space to get active in and I encourage people to don their trainers and give it a go.”
Full Press Release; Recognition Announcement Press Release Jan 2017
#GiveParkourAGo
Here’s a selection of images from the announcement event, images by Brad Wendes
