Sport England has announced a major expansion of its investment into local communities across England to ‘ensure those in greatest need are able to be physically active.’
The public body is expanding its Place Partners programme to see up to £190m of National Lottery and Exchequer funding invested in up to 80-100 new places across England.
The Place Partner programme provides targeted local investment and resources that aim to ‘help to increase activity levels, decrease inactivity and breakdown the barriers and inequalities that prevent people from playing sport or being active.’
An additional £35m will be invested to strengthen work with Sport England’s existing Place Partners, with a further £25m being made available to create a ‘Universal Offer’ of key tools and resources, ensuring every area of England can access support.
Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive Officer of Sport England, said, “Access to sport and physical activity in England is still not close to being a level playing field. Where a person lives and the environment around them has a huge impact on how likely they are to be physically active. Too often, people in low-income communities don’t have access to the same facilities or opportunities as wealthier areas.
“This is manifestly unfair – and must be addressed as a real priority. That is why our expanded Place Partnership programme will unashamedly see us target our resources and efforts on communities that need the greatest levels of support and experience the greatest levels of inequality.
“We will invest most in those that need it most so that everyone has an equal chance to access the very real benefits of playing sport and be physically active.”
Sport Minister, Stuart Andrew MP, added, “Our new sports strategy sets out an ambitious aim to get 3.5 million more people active by 2030 and this £250 million investment from Sport England will help make that a reality.
“This targeted place-based funding gives greater access to quality activities and clubs for people of all ages in areas of the country that need it most.
“Keeping active is essential for our mental and physical health and wellbeing, so it is crucial we continue to break down barriers for people to stay fit and healthy.”
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