Parkour/Freerunning officially recognised as a sport

The UK has become the first country in the world to officially recognise Parkour/Freerunning as a sport, after 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.

Click HERE to view the Parkour UK website.

afPE’s Chair, Mike Crichton commented:

“The purpose of physical education is to promote the development of lifelong learning and involvement in physical activity and/or sport. Through the national curriculum, a schools’ curriculum and through the Ofsted Common Inspection Framework, a broad and balanced and inclusive curriculum must be designed and delivered. In PE, ALL children and young people should have access to a broad experience of sports and activities where they are able to work at their level of need, reach their potential and become increasingly confident and competent. When leaving school they should be physically literate and have the knowledge, skills, understanding and motivation necessary to equip them for a healthy and active lifestyle. The PE curriculum; well designed and taught will also develop pupils social, moral, spiritual and cultural understanding and improve their physical, mental and emotional well-being.”

“Parkour is an exciting and motivating activity that will provide children and young people with an opportunity to extend their skills, knowledge and understanding and enhance their agility, balance and strength. The activity must be taught by appropriately and well qualified teachers, and coaches (alongside teachers). Risk assessments must be carried out and the Safe Practice guidance produced by afPE must be adhered to. In taking account of all the above, then Parkour, like many other physical activities and sports included in a schools PE or extra-curricular provision, can enhance and enrich the overall experience for children and young people thus kick starting a healthy and active lifestyle now and into the future.”