The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge

"Our outdoor spaces are vital for the health of our communities and nurturing our future sports stars. Securing local facilities for sport, play and recreation for future generations would be a fantastic way to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and mark the 2012 Olympics."

says:  “Playing Fields have a vital role within our communities and are fundamental for generations of young boys and girls to be able to start playing and enjoying football. I am delighted to support the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge in honour of her majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and I urge all local authorities to support this ambitious scheme, that will provide a legacy for future generations”

"The opportunities that playing fields provide to young people are fundamental in building sporting enthusiasm and this is a brilliant campaign to help our future athletes. I would not be where I am now without having access to my local playing field."

"Playing fields are the life blood of communities and I have lobbied for better protection of them for many years. So I’m delighted to see the launch of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge. This initiative is a chance to guarantee permanent protection for outdoor spaces across the country. I hope Fields in Trust are successful in achieving this ambitious aim."

"Having free use of outdoor space will encourage more physical activity and so help reduce our worrying levels of childhood obesity, making this a great initiative for the future health of our children."

"The DofE encourages young people to get fit and enjoy the outdoors. We need to protect the precious spaces available for outdoor activity to ensure future generations can benefit too. The QEII Fields Challenge is a great initiative which we are delighted to support."

I’ve always thought of this initiative as an opportunity in a lifetime – considering the last time was 1936. I’m amazed that more Councils have not recognised this and being a parks manager, I am pleased that with the support of local Councillors and the community, I have been able to play a part in protecting Eastbourne’s valuable parks, gardens and recreation grounds for future generations.

"Playing fields play a vital role in our communities and I am thrilled to see the launch of this fantastic new initiative. What better way to mark both the Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics than by ensuring future generations will have access to space for sport and play."

"Local playing fields are the grassroots of football and the breeding grounds  of our future stars. These fields have provided somewhere for generations of  players to practice and develop their skills and I fully support this project to  secure more and more fields for generations to come."

"This is a fantastic project, and an important initiative in ensuring that hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 has a lasting sporting impact. It has my full support."

"I support this cause, along with the 2012 Olympics inspiring a new generation of youngsters, local authorities need to play their part and make sure every youngster can reach their potential. Local playing fields play a key part in developing youngsters’ skills and they give them the earliest experiences of sport."

"...Playing fields offer invaluable spaces for formal and informal activity and it is essential that these are protected for future generations.  I am confident that the Queen Elizabeth Fields can play an important role in the development of community sport hubs and enhance the health and wellbeing of communities across Scotland."

'"Hosting the 2012 Olympics in the year of the Diamond Jubilee is a great honour for the UK and I cannot think of a better way to pay tribute to these events than by ensuring the future of outdoor spaces across the country. I fully support the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge and hope that it will play a key role in securing the next generation of sporting stars."

"Sport and Recreation Alliance is committed to ensuring that high quality spaces for sport and recreation are available for use all across the country and so we’re delighted to support this fantastic new initiative to protect 2012 outdoor spaces in the UK and wish Fields in Trust every success in achieving this ambitious programme."

"...We have a long history promoting policies to tackle the rising levels of overweight and obesity in the UK, and believe that improved sport and recreational facilities are an important strategy in doing so...  Ready access to these facilities will also help to improve community cohesion, reduce anti-social behaviour and enhance general health and well-being. "

"Being able to play outdoors is a basic right of childhood. The Queen Elizabeth II Fields will guarantee that millions more children are able to enjoy that right both now and in the future"

"RFL is pleased to be able to support this great new campaign to protect outdoor spaces from future development. Ensuring the future of the grassroots game is dependent on access to and investment in pitches and facilities and so we hope to work closely with Fields in Trust to be able to bring these benefits to rugby football league."