HC Deb 23 January 2003 vol 398 cc440-1W
Mr. David Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what Government funds are available for modernisation of sports clubs; and by what means she channels modernisation funds to sports clubs. [91915]

Mr. Caborn

The Government is making available £60 million over the next three years to enhance sports clubs' facilities. The programme will commence on 1 April this year. Its aims are to create a sustainable and viable sports club infrastructure in England that meets the needs of local communities particularly in deprived areas, to provide appropriate support and pathways for identifying and developing talented individuals and to increase club membership amongst young people, women, ethnic groups and people with disabilities.

The Programme will be managed by Sport England and overseen by a Project Board comprising representatives of the Department, Sport England and the national governing bodies of sport. Funding will be distributed to the national governing bodies, against bids to Sport England, who will manage a portfolio of projects with individual clubs. The governing bodies for football, cricket, tennis and rugby union have been given indicative allocations of £9.3 million each over the three years and 11 other governing bodies will be able to submit bids for awards from a £20 million fund over the three years.

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