Dr Neil Hudson MP has welcomed the news that Penrith and The Border will benefit from £612,337 in new funding as a result of the Conservative Government’s long-term investment in grassroots sports.
From Belfast to Bracknell, over 1,100 projects are receiving £93 million of funding to go towards facilities such as changing rooms, pavilions, state of the art 3G football turf, goalposts, and floodlights, improving access to sport and physical activity for local communities. This builds towards the Conservative Government's clear plan to get 3.5 million more people across the country active by 2030, including one million young people.
Locally the biggest beneficiary is Frenchfield Sport Centre in Penrith which has been awarded £605,174. This is one of the largest figures nationally, and will go towards a new all-weather artificial grass pitch.
The two other recipients of Conservative Government funding are Warwick Wanderers AFC which will receive £5,003 and Appleby Football and Squash Club £2,160 - both for goalposts.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"I am passionate that people of all ages should have access to high quality sports facilities so they can stay healthy - both physically and mentally. That is why I am delighted to announce over £600,000 of local investment to strengthen the great sports facilities at the core of our communities.
"From bringing people together and getting them active, to inspiring the next generation of sporting greats - I am resolute that this investment will provide value for money and produce great results for years to come.
“The Conservative Government is sticking to its plan to make sure everyone can access the facilities they need to live an active and healthy lifestyle, ensuring a brighter future for all.”
Importantly, the Conservative Government’s multi-sport grassroots fund is investing in areas that are most in need, with at least 50 per cent spent in the most deprived and inactive local authorities.
This builds on historic investment in grassroots sport. Since 2021, the Conservative Government has helped deliver new facilities or improvements at almost 2,400 sites across the UK, getting more than 120,000 people active.
As part of this investment, local communities across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will benefit from an unprecedented £12 million in 2023-24, delivering in partnership with the Scottish FA, the Irish FA, Cymru Football Foundation and Football Association of Wales. A further £9 million is also being committed across these regions for projects to be delivered through 2024-25.
The Conservative Government is sticking to its plan to improve the mental and physical health of the nation and provide high-quality sports facilities across the country, ensuring a brighter future for this generation and generations to come
Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said:
“Sport and physical activity are vital to our mental health and wellbeing, and each year thousands of people make a New Year's resolution to exercise more.
“We know that one of the major barriers in getting active is having access to high-quality sports facilities, which is why we are upgrading 1,100 more pitches, backed by investing £93 million.
“This Government has delivered thousands of new projects across the UK with the aim of getting over 120,000 more people to get active, helping us to make big strides towards meeting our ambitious target of 3.5 million more people active by 2030.”
