£19.4 million Olympic legacy boost for grassroots sports clubs
377 community sports projects across England will benefit.
With just 10 days to go until the Olympic Games begin, sports clubs around the country are celebrating after securing a share of almost £20 million of Olympic legacy funding.
The National Lottery investment comes from the Inspired Facilities Fund, part of the Places People Play Olympic legacy programme.
“Hosting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games give us an opportunity to put sport in the spotlight and encourage more people to participate,” said Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson, who joined Sport England’s Chief Executive, Jennie Price and Olympic Gold Medallist Sir Steve Redgrave at the West Silvertown Foundation centre yesterday morning to announce a raft of spending allocations for the centre and other communities across London.
Community benefits
Robertson continued: “That’s exactly what Places People Play is about. It’s already having a positive impact on grassroots sport in communities up and down the country and the additional funding will spread that further, helping to leave a real sports legacy long after the Games.”
Five-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave added: “Already this legacy programme has brought sporting opportunities to every corner of the country.”
Future funding
Yesterday Sport England announced funding for its Places People Play programme has increased by £15 million to £150 million due to strong sales of national lottery tickets. Sport England also opened the next £10 million round which sports clubs can bid for through the Inspired facilities fund.