Sport England Reveals New Investment
Thousands of college students across the country will see increased sporting opportunities following £20 million of new National Lottery funding from Sport England.
The increased funding comes as part of Sport England’s £1 billion Youth and Community strategy that aims to increase participation levels in sport. The plan places particular focus on further education students who play the least sport of young people aged 16 and over who are in full time education.
£17 million of the investment will fund 150 new jobs for full-time sports professionals to work in colleges. Sport England also encouraged colleges to bid for a share of £3 million of additional funding to improve the sporting opportunities that they offer.
The Association of Colleges’ head of sport policy, Clare Howard, said: ‘There has always been a strong tradition of sport in colleges but this new funding brings much needed extra capacity. This will allow us to really build on the momentum created by London 2012 and provide new, and different sporting opportunities for a greater number of college students.’
Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, added: ‘Following the success and enthusiasm generated by the summer, I am determined to keep up the momentum of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and get more people playing sport.’
