- More than 1,700 new and improved multi-sports grassroots facilities across the UK are benefiting from £68 million from the Government, encouraging people to get active by participating in sport.
- Levelling up access to sport and improving people’s mental and physical wellbeing help to build stronger communities as the Conservative Government works to deliver on its priorities to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.
Bim Afolami MP has welcomed £657,521 investment from the Conservative Government to transform sports facilities in Hitchin, Harpenden and the villages to get more people active and nurture future sporting talent.
Facilities in Hitchin, Harpenden and the villages will benefit from the funding, and across the UK, 1,700 new and improved multi-sports grassroots facilities are benefiting from £68 million from the Government – improving access to high-quality facilities.
Locally, funding will support the delivery of the new artificial pitch in Rothamsted Park, new goalposts to support Hitchin Belles F.C. and Whitwell Athletic F.C., and new portable floodlights at Pirton Recreation Ground.
This funding comes from the latest allocations of a £300 million UK wide capital investment in grassroots facilities to deliver upgrades, improvements and new pitches – making more high-quality facilities available for people to play football, hockey and other grassroots sports.
At least 50 per cent per cent of investment will be spent in underprivileged areas to give as many people as possible the opportunity to take part in sport. This programme will also ensure particular focus on increasing participation among underrepresented groups such as women and girls, and those with a disability.
This will help to deliver the huge mental health and wellbeing benefits associated with sport, improving the wellbeing of the nation and helping to cut NHS waiting lists. Cutting waiting lists is one of the Conservative Government’s five priorities, as well as halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, and stopping the boats.
Commenting, Bim Afolami MP said:
“Grassroots facilities are essential for nurturing future sporting talent and encouraging people to get active which benefits their physical and mental wellbeing.
“That is why I welcome the funding from the Conservative Government which will see Hitchin, Harpenden and the villages benefit from £657,521 to improve our local sports facilities and help more people access them.
“Helping people get active is key to delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to cut NHS waiting lists by encouraging people to live healthier lives and become more engaged in sport.”
Commenting, Cllr. Brian Ellis, Conservative Town Councillor for Harpenden South, said:
“It is fantastic news that the Government is investing in local grassroots sports facilities. In Harpenden, this new funding will help to deliver the Conservative vision for Rothamsted Park - with funding for the new artificial pitch. We look forward to seeing the benefits this will bring to our local community.”
Commenting, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:
“We are committed to levelling up access to sport which is so important for the nation’s physical and mental health.
“Today we are delivering more than 1,700 new and improved grassroots sports facilities across the UK to continue to support, sustain and grow community and grassroots sport - so that physical activity is accessible to all, no matter a person’s background or location.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The Government has invested £68 million in more than 1,700 grassroot sports facilities across the UK. The funding will deliver upgrades, improvements and new pitches - making more high-quality facilities available for people to play football, hockey and other grassroots sports. Projects support a range of facility types – from the creation or upgrade of changing rooms, grass pitches and 3G football turf pitches and pavilions, to floodlights, fencing and improved disabled access (DCMS, Press Release, 20 May 2023, link).
- Ella Toone, who was part of the England football team who won the Euros in 2022, will have a pitch named after her at the William Fosters Hub in Wigan. The Ella Toone Pitch is the second one of 23 Football Foundation-funded pitches that will be named after each of the Lionesses to honour their UEFA Women’s EUROs victory last summer (DCMS, Press Release, 20 May 2023, link).
- Over 2,200 sites across the UK have benefitted from the Government’s four-year £300 million capital investment into grassroots multi-sports facilities. Between 2021 and 2025, £261 million of this will be delivered in England (DCMS, Press Release, 20 May 2023, link).
