Hundreds of grassroots sports clubs share in over 拢16m Olympic legacy boost
Olympic medallist Louis Smith鈥檚 gymnastics club among hundreds of sports groups聽receiving聽Sport England investment.
In total 拢16.6 million of National Lottery funding has , taking the number of local communities supported by Inspired Facilities to more than 1,000 - a year ahead of schedule.
The investments will bring big improvements to local facilities including new playing surfaces, floodlights and better changing rooms.
The fund is part of Sport England鈥檚 Olympic and Paralympic legacy programme. All improved facilities will carry the London 2012 Inspire mark, celebrating their link to the Games.
Sport England鈥檚 Chief Executive, , said: 鈥淲e have had such a fantastic response from sports clubs to Inspired Facilities that we鈥檝e reached our target of making 1,000 grants a year early. Demand remains strong so will offer a further 拢20 million of funding over the next 15 months.鈥�
Sports Ministers , today joined Sport England and members of the medal winning Team GB Hockey Team at a sports club in Barnes, London that has secured 拢50,000 from Inspired Facilities聽to fund a multi-use games area for hockey and netball.聽
鈥淪ix months on from the start of the London 2012 Games, we have extremely strong foundations in place for the sports legacy,鈥� said Robertson. 鈥淭he Places People Play programme goes from strength to strength and this 拢16.6 million investment will improve facilities at local sports club across the country, encouraging participation and giving people more opportunities to get involved in sport.鈥�
Olympic bronze medallist Louis Smith said: 鈥淚 owe so much of my success to this club so I鈥檓 thrilled to hear they鈥檙e receiving lottery funding. These improvements will help the club do even more for local gymnasts and I know they have big plans for the future.鈥�
Six months on from the Games
Today鈥檚 milestone is further evidence of the steps being taken to build on the momentum of 2012:
- Last week Sport England launched a new
- Last month
- 15.5 million people are now playing sport every week, more than ever before.
Seven of the projects that are benefiting disadvantaged young people have been awarded a total of 拢95,571 in additional funding from the , Sport England鈥檚 partner for Inspired Facilities.
Future funding rounds
Bids to the next round of Inspired Facilities will be accepted between 4 March - 29 April 2013. .