HC Deb 18 April 1994 vol 241 cc631-2
16. Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what grants have been made to sporting clubs for the coaching and incorporation of children of school age; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sproat

The Sports Council provides support to sports clubs through its grants to various governing bodies of sport and is encouraging those bodies to focus their work on young people. The council also gives regional grants directly to clubs to assist them with junior sections.

Mr. Greenway

Does my hon. Friend agree that Conservative Members have always been keen supporters of team spirit, team work and team games because we know that that is the best way of handling the natural competitive instinctive in all children and adults as we go through life? Will he do all that he can to encourage clubs of every kind—rugby, cricket, hockey and the rest—to include teams of young players so that, if they cannot be coached in schools, they can be coached in clubs? Can we have teamwork between schools and clubs, which we do not have now?

Mr. Sproat

My hon. Friend makes a good point. Competitive games are valuable in teaching good sportsmanship, team spirit, dedication, losing gracefully and winning modestly. I shall do all that I can to inculcate that, both within governing bodies and between schools, governing bodies and clubs.

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