The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has unveiled a new strategy to help develop the region's sports business sector over the next 10 years.

Launched to coincide with the Soccerex global football conference, which is being held in Manchester, the Sport Sector Strategy for England's Northwest outlines four key areas that could help boost regional economic growth. The framework outlines plans to support the growth of new and existing sports businesses, such as venues, professional clubs and specialist firms; boosting innovation to improve product development and promoting activity designed to lever in outside investment.

NWDA's strategy also aims to maximise the benefits of sports to individuals and communities across the region, which has more than 8,350 businesses operating within the sports sector generating £6.5bn turnover each year. Steven Broomhead, chief executive of NWDA, said: "The Northwest has a strong sporting heritage, and the sector itself plays a vital role in our economy, generating more sport businesses, employees and a higher turnover than other English regions.

Our sporting profile can only grow further with innovative technology opening up new markets, not to mention the relocation of BBC Sport and Radio Five Live to MediaCityUK."