The Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) announced last month that schools can expect an additional £30 million per year of funding. This funding is earmarked for improvements on school facilities in England and for PE in primary schools.
The funding will build on the £10.1 million which has already supported schools in the reopening of sports facilities after the pandemic. The hope is that the funding will help increase opportunities for children and young people to take up sport in England.
The Youth Sport Trust greeted this new funding as a positive step in the right direction for joining up government investment with other policy areas. CEO, Ali Oliver said:
“The Youth Sport Trust, along with leading organisations across sport and education, will be keen to work with government to make sure this funding has the biggest positive impact. Investment in facilities will need to be part of a joined-up approach which promotes the importance of PE while also investing in clubs and coaches.”
The funding comes as British tennis player Emma Raducanu celebrated her win as the first qualifier to win the US Open. She is the first British woman since Virginia Wade in 1977 to win the tournament that was watched by 9.2 million people at its peak.
The Lawn Tennis Association has committed £8.4 million to the package to see the revival of more than 4,500 tennis courts across 1,500 venues. Much of the damage has made these courts unusable. The hope is that this will pave the way for increasing fitness levels amongst adults and children, giving way for the next generation of sporting legends.
