Above: Sky Sports reporter Johnny Phillips presents representatives of the Clean Water Sports Alliance with their Sport for Change Award at the SJA British Sports Awards Celebration Reception at the House of Commons (Tom Dulat/Getty Images for SJA)
BSAC’s environmental action group the Clean Water Sports Alliance has been honoured with the prestigious SJA Sport for Change Award 2024.
Presented by the Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA), the award recognises the importance of collective efforts across the sporting industry to champion for environmental stewardship.
The Clean Water Sports Alliance (CWSA), comprising 15 UK and Welsh Water Sport National Governing Bodies (NGBs) came together this year to share expertise, resources and knowledge to campaign for clean water. Its initiatives are about raising awareness on the importance of clean water for our participants and athletes and driving tangible change in the way water companies and the Government think about the use of inland waters and the sea for recreational use.
Winning the SJA Sport for Change Award 2024 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the small yet mighty teams and leaders within each member organisation.
Award citation from SJA
The judges for this award said:
We were incredibly inspired to learn how so many organisations are using the power of sport and physical activity to create a positive impact.
The winner of this year’s SJA Sport for Change award sponsored by Altair Ltd is, in fact, not one but several sports governing bodies who during 2024 have come together to take much-needed emergency action around environmental sustainability.
...the Clean Water Sports Alliance’s collaborative approach to tackling poor water quality and pollution could, and should, act as a blueprint for other sports organisations to follow as we seek to increase the positive impact of sport on people and the planet, influence key decision-makers and drive positive change.
About the Clean Water Sports Alliance
Formed in 2024 with seven founding organisations, with the addition of new members including BSAC, the Alliance has now grown to 15. These new members have significantly strengthened the group’s efforts to tackle water pollution and promote clean water initiatives across the UK.
The CWSA is made up of the following organisations:
- Swim England
- Angling Trust
- British Rowing
- British Triathlon
- GB Outrigger
- Paddle UK
- Royal Yachting Association
- Surfing England
- British Kitesport
- British Sub-Aqua Club
- British Dragon Boat Racing Association
- RYA Cymru Wales
- Paddle Wales
- Welsh Triathlon
- Welsh Rowing
