Elite Sport To Continue Despite New Lockdown Measures
Elite sport will continue in England and Scotland despite new lockdown restrictions being put in place across the UK.
The new measures intended to suppress the spike in coronavirus cases, will see grassroots and recreational sport impacted with gyms, leisure centres, tennis courts and golf clubs closed, with only organised outdoor sport for disabled people allowed to continue.
Elite sport, such as the Premier League and the Scottish Premiership, will continue behind closed doors, as will the likes of the Women’s Super League, Gallagher Premiership and Premier 15s. The top tier women’s rugby competition which will go ahead with restrictions in place, such as reducing the half length to 35 minutes.
Sport England has said it will continue to offer funding and financial support through a series of packages to eligible organisations.
“We know that one of the best things people can do right now for their physical and mental health is to get up and get moving, and we’ve got a huge number of resources and campaigns to help them to do so which we will be promoting widely as we move through this lockdown,” said Tim Hollingsworth, CEO, Sport England.
“We will also continue to work with the sector to offer vital financial support, including through our existing open funds which organisations can now apply for and our administration of the government’s Winter Sport Survival Package and National Leisure Recovery Fund, so that we can understand the challenges faced and emerge from this period in as strong a position as possible.”
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, added: “The further restrictions announced by the Prime Minister, along with those announced across the devolved administrations, show the severity of this new chapter in the fight against COVID-19 and it is crucial they are respected.
“What we now need to see, alongside these announcements, are credible plans to minimise the damaging impact lockdown has on the physical and mental wellbeing of people across the UK.
“We know from the millions of people that depend on gyms, pools, and leisure centres to support their physical and mental health, how essential they are. We also know that despite positive encouragement from the government, physical activity levels fell sharply and significantly during previous lockdowns.
“We cannot afford to wait until the vaccine rollout is advanced before we act, so the government must explore all options at this time and provide a credible plan for maintaining this support to millions of people who rely on these Covid-secure facilities to stay strong and healthy.”
Previously, more than 50 UK sport organisations signed a ‘New Years’ Resolution’ to ensure that sport was put ‘at the heart’ of the 2021 recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
