INVESTING IN ACTIVITY

The government has pledged a “game changing” £400m investment in grassroots sport. But where should the funding be directed to, in order to maximise its impact?

Robert Sullivan

IN ACTIVITY INVESTING

Grassroots sport across the UK is set to benefit from more than £400m in funding, as part of the government’s Plan for Change. Designed to deliver facilities that will “inspire people of all ages to get active”, the £400m will be invested in new and upgraded facilities in communities across the country. The funding commitment, which was outlined in the Spending Review in June, has now been set out by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Among the priorities identified for the funding will be to remove barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups – such as women and girls, people with disabilities and ethnic minority communities. This will, according to the government, include the building of new pitches and changing rooms and installation of floodlights, solar panels and goalposts.

Announcing the investment, Nandy said: “At least £400 million will be invested in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities across the UK that support and improve access to better health, active lifestyles, wellbeing and community cohesion. We will prioritise underserved places, working closely with sporting bodies, devolved government and local leaders to establish what each community needs, and then set out further plans.

“This will include a stronger focus on removing the barriers for groups such as women and girls, people with disabilities, ethnic minority communities and those in the most deprived neighbourhoods.”

Major events

It is part of a larger, £900m investment in sport, which will also see more than £500 million committed to supporting the delivery of a host of world class sporting events being held in the UK over the coming years. These will include the men’s and women’s Tour de France Grand Départs in 2027, the men’s UEFA EURO 2028 tournament and the European Athletics Championships 2026 in Birmingham. The events are expected to deliver significant economic benefits, with EURO 2028 alone projected to generate up to £2.4 billion in socio-economic value across the UK.

According to Nandy, the strategic investment in both facilities and major events has been designed to “reduce barriers to opportunity, bring communities together through shared national moments and showcase the best of the UK to the world”.

“Sport tells our national story in a way few other things can – uniting communities, inspiring millions, and showcasing our nation on the global stage,” Nandy said.

“This major backing for world-class events will drive economic growth across the country, delivering on our Plan for Change. Coupled with strong investment into grassroots sport, we’re creating a complete pathway to allow the next generation of sporting heroes to train and take part in sport in communities across the UK.”

Where should the money be invested?

The government’s commitment to invest in sport has been universally welcomed by the sports and physical activity sector. However, while there is clarity on where a large chunk of the £500m on events will be spent – delivering specific competitions – there is less information and detail on how and where the £400m on grassroots facilities will be directed.

This has encouraged many to speak up and to highlight where they see the biggest need is. SportsNation lists the industry’s response – and how leaders and professionals would like to see the money spent.

Robert Sullivan

CEO Football Foundation

“The government’s joined up approach – of investing in new and upgraded grassroots sports facilities alongside plans to supercharge major sporting events – places sport at the very heart of communities up and down the country.

“Thanks to funding from the Government and the Premier League and The FA, the Football Foundation has invested £1.2 billion to improve grassroots facilities across England. However we know there is still more that needs to be done. In partnership with local authorities, County FAs and other community stakeholders, we have created Local Football Facility Plans for every local authority in England. These Plans act as a blueprint for providing the grassroots football facility improvements that each community needs and deserves.

“The government’s funding announcement will help us to activate these plans and ensure every community in England has access to a great place to play.”

Liz Green

Chair Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board

“Local communities rely on sport and leisure facilities every day, whether it is swimming for the family or going to the gym. The benefits to both physical and mental health can be life-changing. Yet without urgent investment we risk losing these altogether.

“It is positive the Government has announced £400 million for grassroots sports facilities. But for this funding to be truly transformative, we are calling for this to be invested via councils, so it can have the impact that delivers the ambition the Government has to improve our nation’s health.”

Policy

Geoff Webb

CEO Grounds Management Association

“This significant funding package recognises the vital role that high-quality sports infrastructure plays in supporting participation in communities across the country. It also reflects the collective efforts of the wider sporting sector, including the often-unsung work of grounds management professionals and volunteers.

“The GMA is at the forefront of improving the quality and safety of playing surfaces across the UK. Since the launch of the Pitch Advisory Service in 2014, the GMA has carried out over 50,000 pitch inspections in England, working alongside National Governing Bodies (NGBs) as well as local authorities and volunteers to raise standards and improve playing surfaces. This funding allows us to continue that vital work, ensuring clubs and communities benefit from well-maintained facilities that inspire more people to play and stay in sport.”

Huw Edwards

CEO Ukactive

“With this level of investment, the Government has a unique opportunity to help shift the dial on the nation’s physical activity levels and significantly improve the nation’s health, but it must ensure it is targeted in the right areas.

“It must avoid repeating the mistakes made by previous governments of the past – of focusing investment in facilities that have not delivered a healthier nation – and instead invests in facilities that match the needs of communities. The government must work with the sport and physical activity sector to channel funding into the facilities and programmes that are meeting consumer demand. Investing strategically in gyms, pools and leisure centres will demonstrate the Government’s commitment to the major drivers of physical activity and help address the market failure of public sector facilities so they can fulfil their essential role.”

Richard Shaw

CEO SAPCA

“Sports and play facilities are essential for getting people more physically active and it is great to see the government recognise that. What is also crucial is that those facilities are of high quality and then maintained so they remain available for people – and not fall into disrepair.

“We encourage the government to ensure that the investment will result in high-quality sports and play construction projects that are designed with longevity and sustainability at the heart of them. That way, the government can ensure that the £400m funding will fully benefit the people and communities who need them the most.”

Donna Pentelow

Chair Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association (CLOA)

“Council leisure centres, swimming pools and outdoor spaces are on the frontline of local health and wellbeing. We see every day how vital these facilities and spaces are to support active wellbeing for residents of all ages. A place-based investment approach ensures funding reaches the communities that need it most. By directing grassroots sports funding through local government, we can support its appropriate use to truly tackle health inequalities and deliver on the Government’s long-term health ambitions.”

Andy Salmon

CEO Swim England

“We have long been making the case for the need for investment to deliver a network of sustainable pools for the future and so it is welcome to see this investment from the government. In its announcement the government talks of delivering ‘new grassroots facilities that can drive economic growth and inspire people of all ages to get active’.

“We know swimming is a huge part of the answer to delivering on those objectives. Swimming remains an incredibly popular activity for people of all ages, but particularly amongst older age groups (two million adults aged 65+ go swimming each year) and those with long term health conditions (17 per cent of adults with three or more health impairments swim each year) – many of whom may struggle to be active out of the water. That’s why we need to see this investment targeted at the pools and leisure centres the nation needs.”

Kirsty Cumming

CEO Community Leisure UK

“Public leisure is at the heart of communities across the country, offering opportunities for communities to be physically, mentally and socially active. We urge the Government to invest in public leisure facilities, from single site community run pools to large leisure venues, supporting them to be sustainable and enabling people to live healthier and happier lives.”

Chris Boardman

Chair Sport England

“The government’s continued investment into grassroots sport facilities is welcome news; the nation’s pitches, pools and leisure centres play a pivotal role in keeping people moving.

“With every £1 invested in community sport and physical activity generating £4.20 in value for our economy, supporting grassroots facilities isn’t just good for public health – it’s a smart investment in the nation’s social and economic wellbeing.”