§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to encourage non-dividend-paying sports clubs to increase their youth development programmes; and if she will make a statement. [33172]
§ Mr. SproatFollowing the publication of the sports policy statement "Sport: Raising the Game" in July 1995, the Sports Council's regional offices have made it a priority to provide advice and information to schools, sports clubs, governing bodies of sport and local authorities on how best to establish school/club links. The Sports Council itself will establish a £2 million challenge fund to help develop school/club links. It is hoped that applications will be invited from schools, sports clubs and governing bodies of sport including non-dividend-paying sports clubs this autumn.
The sportsmatch scheme, launched by the Government in 1992 to increase the amount of business sponsorship going into grass roots and sport and physical recreation, has also earmarked up to £1 million for school projects. A great number of these projects could be aimed at improving links between sports clubs, other organisations and schools.