Sport England Announces Five Long-term Partnerships

Sport England has announced five new long-term partnerships as a part of the organisation’s ambition to level up access to sport and physical activity in England. 

British Rowing, Swim England, British Taekwondo, British Taekwondo Council and Pentathlon have all officially joined more than 120 organisations that Sport England has partnered with over the past 14 months. 

As part of the agreement, a combined amount of over £21m of National Lottery and government funding will be distributed to the five organisations to help tackle inequalities by ‘creating opportunities for people across England to take part in sport and physical activity and use their influence in the sector to create positive change. ‘

Specifically, the next five years will see the following funding distributed to the governing bodies:

• British Rowing will receive over £9m (increased by over £7.5m from initial funding)
• Swim England will receive over £10.5m
• British Taekwondo will receive £935,945
• British Taekwondo Council will receive £405,500
• Pentathlon GB will receive £357,400

According to Sport England, the five organisations have been chosen for their ‘influence, ability to improve access to sport and physical activities and to tackle inequalities.’

The announcement underlines Sport England’s new approach to long-term term partnerships. The model, which sees Sport England provides funding for up to five years, aims to supply the financial security needed for partners to deliver in communities.

Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of Sport England, said, “Sport England’s aim is for everyone, regardless of who they are, where they live or what their background is to have the ability and opportunity to be active. 

“We know we can’t achieve this alone, and it is only by working together with organisations from across the sport and physical activity sector that we will be able to bring about the positive change we need.  We are also committed with them to ensuring that anyone who wants to play sport or be active can do so in a safe, welcoming and accessible environment. 

“The partners we’ve announced today have been carefully chosen to support these agendas given their governance or systemic role in sport and will help us build on the recovery we’ve seen in activity levels since the pandemic.”