HC Deb 07 July 2000 vol 353 cc327-8W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support and assistance he will give to local cricket clubs in promoting junior cricket. [128832]

Kate Hoey

Junior cricket is eligible for funding from Sportsmatch, the Government's sports sponsorship incentive scheme. Since its inception in 1992, Sportsmatch has made 336 awards worth a total of over £2.08 million to grass roots and junior cricket applications in England, attracting a similar amount in commercial sponsorship.

Funding is also available to cricket through the Lottery Sports fund which has made 523 awards to cricket projects, worth a total of over £60 million, towards total project costs of over £106 million. One of the priorities of the Lottery Sports Fund is that projects should attempt to target young people.

Cricket is a sport selected by Sport England for a five year sports development programme aimed at young people. The programme is England-wide, delivered at local level and involves local clubs, local authorities, education services, schools and the England and Wales Cricket Board (EWCB) all working in partnership.

The England and Wales Cricket Board spends approximately 11 per cent. of the £26 million per annum it receives from broadcasting revenue for the development of cricket.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support and assistance he gives to local tennis clubs in order to promote junior tennis. [128834]

Kate Hoey

Junior tennis is eligible for funding from Sportsmatch, the Government's sports sponsorship incentive scheme. Since its inception in 1992 Sportsmatch has made 194 awards worth a total of over £1.15 million to grass roots and junior tennis applications in England, attracting a similar amount in commercial sponsorship.

Funding is also available to tennis through the Lottery Sports fund which has made 473 awards to tennis projects, worth a total of over £54 million, towards total project costs of over £92 million. One of the priorities of the Lottery Sports fund is that projects should attempt to target young people.

Tennis is also one of the nine sports selected by Sport England for a five-year sports development programme aimed at young people. The programme is England-wide, delivered at local level and involves local clubs, local authorities, education services, schools and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) working in partnership.