With announcements of early steps out of lockdown emerging and some facilities, like golf, tennis and angling, starting to reopen this week, attention is naturally turning to what this might look like for our sector more broadly. Of course we all recognise that a throw open the doors and carry on like none of this ever happened approach is not on the cards and some helpful guidance is starting to emerge from Sport England, UK Active and others on what a safe active environment might look like.

Whilst it goes without saying that this is a moment to think of safety and wellbeing for staff and participants alike, it is also an important moment to reflect on the audience for physical activity. Throughout this crisis the importance of being physically active to both physical and mental health has been emphasised over and over and our goal as a sector to bring the widely evidenced benefits of physical activity to the broadest possible audience should be clearer to us now than it has ever been.

There is, of course, a core audience of sports fans, fitness lovers and competition junkies on the edge of their seats, awaiting the day they can get back to their club, to their classes and training sessions; to find out if the rest of the season will be played out, or any summer events will go ahead. Marathons in gardens, self-constructed parkour courses, DIY skate ramps and virtual races are further evidence that those obsessed with sport are doing everything they can to stay active right now and are happy to add a touch of the unconventional with a healthy splash of the hairbrained as required. These are the people who, if asked in a survey "what is the first thing you'll do when lockdown is over" would answer without hesitation "go back to training".

Whilst it's great to see those people so passionate, I know my reasons for being involved in sport & physical activity were never about them. I'm much more interested in those that say "I'm just here to watch the kids" or "Who me? No, I couldn't possibly" and "What would people think?" Seeing those people lap everyone on the couch is my Monday morning motivation.

We always talk in this sector about significant life moments being a key tool in behaviour change and I cannot imagine in our lifetimes that we have ever had, or maybe ever will again, such an opportunity thrust upon us. The all out disruption to any kind of routine or semblance of normal life for literally every man, woman and child has presented some terrible challenges and tragedies; but it has also demonstrated some amazing acts of generosity and, for many, the time and space to do things they'd never normally do.

Some have been won over by the charms of Joe Wicks, others inspired by learning a few dance steps with Oti Mabuse; all in the safety of their own living room, where nobody can see if they go wrong. Others still will have given something completely out of character a try, sometimes out of sheer desperation. Anything to keep the kids entertained for another hour. There will be those of us who have taken up walking, running or cycling in order to enjoy the (mostly!) good weather and some time outdoors, to feel calm and connected with nature and the world outside.

These wonderful experiences of mental calm, family time and music and laughter will make an impression; for many this will provide an emotional connection with being active that they had lost, or maybe never actually experienced to begin with. At the end of this, as it becomes safe to return to what will become normal life, many of these people might reach out to find those feelings again, but somewhere outside, back in the real world.

Often these are people who had negative memories of sport and physical activity. Of unnecessarily competitive environments, of too many rules and red tape; a fear of judgement, of doing it wrong, or of not feeling good enough. So how are we going to respond as a sector? What are we going to do?

Will we dish up more of the same? Surround ourselves with our biggest fans who have been desperate to get back since lockdown began? Will we get caught up in our excitement that, after a long period without, the possibility of any sport, in any form, can only be a good thing? And will we carry on telling ourselves the biggest lie in the industry - that those who don't join in simply don't have time?

Or is it different this time? Are we ready to smash perceptions and provide something new and different? An experience for everyone, regardless of background or ability, that matches the positive feelings they found whilst in lockdown?

Is your organisation ready?? This sector has some truly brilliant people and we can't wait to see what you're going to do.

If you'd like to talk about being ready, Proper Active can help. Get in touch for a FREE initial discussion about your plans on info@properactive.co.uk.