Lottery fund boost for university sport
More than 40 sports projects are set to benefit from a £10 million National Lottery fund.
Sport England has today announced 41 Active Universities projects that will receive a share of Lottery cash to get more of their students playing sport.
Under the scheme, tens of thousands of people will be able to try a new sport or get back into one they have tried before as part of the mass participation legacy from London 2012.
Research has shown that students who play sport at university are more likely to continue participating after their studies have finished.
“Young adults who are still playing sport when they leave university are likely to stick with it for life so this is a good investment in the future,” Jennie Price, Chief Executive of Sport England, said. “These projects have been chosen because they really listened to what students wanted so we are confident they will succeed in increasing participation.”
Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said: “This funding for 41 different sports projects across the country is exactly what our Olympic legacy promise is about - offering more opportunities for people to get involved. This will boost university sport and encourage students to continue playing once their studies are over.”
Amy Williams, who won Olympic Gold in the skeleton at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, only took up her sport while at the University of Bath. She said: “Going to university is a great chance to try out something new and in my case that something new was the skeleton. Sport is an amazing way to make friends, get fit, have fun and pick up skills that could help you get a job when your student days are over.”