- More than 1,700 new and improved multi-sports grassroots facilities across the UK are benefiting from £68million from the Government, encouraging people to get active by participating in sport.
- Schools and Community Groups in West Berkshire will receive £570,822 of this funding to use on goalposts, spectator areas, maintenance equipment, storage, floodlights, and a new artificial grass pitch.
- Levelling up access to sport and improving people’s mental and physical wellbeing help to build stronger communities as the Conservative Government works to deliver on its priorities to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.
Facilities in West Berkshire will benefit from the funding, and across the UK, 1,700 new and improved multi-sports grassroots facilities are benefiting from £68 million from the Government – improving access to high-quality facilities.
Projects support a range of facility types, from the creation or upgrade of changing rooms, grass pitches and 3G football turf pitches and pavilions, to floodlights, fencing and improved disabled access.
This funding comes from the latest allocations of a £300 million UK wide capital investment in grassroots facilities to deliver upgrades, improvements and new pitches – making more high-quality facilities available for people to play football, hockey and other grassroots sports.
This programme will ensure particular focus on increasing participation among underrepresented groups such as women and girls, and those with a disability.
This will help to deliver the huge mental health and wellbeing benefits associated with sport, improving the wellbeing of the nation and helping to cut NHS waiting lists. Cutting waiting lists is one of the Conservative Government’s five priorities, as well as halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, and stopping the boats.
Commenting, Laura Farris, Member of Parliament for Newbury said:
“Grassroots facilities are essential for nurturing future sporting talent and encouraging people to get active which benefits their physical and mental wellbeing.
That is why I welcome the funding from the Conservative Government which will see West Berkshire benefit from £570,822 to improve our local sports facilities and help more people access them.
Helping people get active is key to delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to cut NHS waiting lists by encouraging people to live healthier lives and become more engaged in sport.”
Commenting, Cllr Ross Mackinnon, Leader of the West Berkshire Council Conservative Group, said:
“I welcome this new investment in sports and recreation in West Berkshire, it is clear this will provide valuable facilities for residents.
The Conservative Government is, and the Conservative Administration I was part of was, committed to providing outstanding sports and leisure for all – demonstrated by the redevelopment of Newbury Lido and state-of-the-art facilities at Monks Lane. I hope the new WBC administration will support and invest in this area rather than cut projects as they have indicated they want to.”
Commenting, Cllr Paul Dick, Chairman of the YMCA ( Reading), said:
“As an active Senior County referee, and chairman of the YMCA (Reading), I am delighted that HM Government continues to prioritise grassroots football, especially in West Berkshire. Our ambition is to provide high quality facilities, to increase participation, and raise skill levels for all. I am sure we all applaud this new investment. “
Commenting, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:
“We are committed to levelling up access to sport which is so important for the nation’s physical and mental health.
Today we are delivering more than 1,700 new and improved grassroots sports facilities across the UK to continue to support, sustain and grow community and grassroots sport - so that physical activity is accessible to all, no matter a person’s background or location.”
