Stuart Anderson MP has urged sports groups across South Shropshire to apply for funding to upgrade their facilities. On 21st March, Ministers announced a £100 million to a flagship sports programme set up by the last government. It follows a request by Stuart who called on the government to continue it.
Under the last government, over £1.5 billion was distributed to nearly 5,000 grassroots organisations across the UK through Sport England - increasing opportunities for people across the country to get active. This included £23.2 million in a wide range of grassroots sport projects across the West Midlands.
Additional funding for the Multi-Sports Grassroots Facilities Programme has been announced. In England, it will be delivered via the Football Foundation – a charity set up by Government, the FA, and Premier League. Applications are made on an ongoing basis.
Launching the extension in March, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP said that her aim is for the funding to "remove barriers to an active lifestyle and increase opportunity for all, ensuring that wherever people may live, they can access high quality sports facilities and experience the joy that sport brings."
Stuart is now calling on sports groups in South Shropshire to find out more about the funding available.
Ministers have said it can be used for a range of projects such as new and improved pitches, changing rooms, pavilions, solar panels, floodlights, goalposts and maintenance machinery so that sites can provide a more inclusive and sustainable offer throughout the year.
They have added that 40% of funding will support projects that have a "multi-sport offer." This means that more people can participate in a wider variety of sports and activities that appeal to them.
Stuart added that the extension builds on the work started by the last government through its national sports strategy, ‘Get Active.' It was published in August 2023 to help forge a "healthier nation" by getting an extra 3.5 million adults and children physically active by 2030.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"Engaging in sports and physical activity greatly enriches the mental and physical health of people of all backgrounds and generations. Ministers have agreed a £100 million extension to the flagship Multi-Sports Grassroots Facilities Programme. I want to ensure rural areas like South Shropshire get their fair share of the funding. This is a vital opportunity to remove barriers, boost participation, and keep our communities active all year round. So, I call upon all local sports groups to apply."
