Sport England today announced new
investment and a fresh approach to bringing sporting opportunities
to disabled people, ensuring the 2012 Paralympic Games deliver a
lasting grassroots sporting legacy.
A total of £3.54 million will be available to
nine national disability sports organisations, who will now focus
on inclusion, integrating the sport on offer to disabled and
non-disabled people.
Sport England is investing £1.54 million of
Exchequer funding in the English Federation of Disability Sport
(EFDS), which has announced a new strategy to increase
participation and opportunities for disabled people, following a
major review.
In addition, EFDS and eight other national
disability sports organisations have the opportunity to bid for up
to £2 million of National Lottery funding. The investment will help
these bodies to develop a skilled workforce that can advise,
support and guide other sports organisations as they create
opportunities for participation by disabled people.
Sport England’s Chief Executive, Jennie Price,
said:
“With only one in 15 disabled adults playing
sport regularly – and a decline in that number over the past year -
there is a clear need for a change of direction. The investments we
are announcing today will create the right environment for
increased participation by disabled people.”
Professor David Croisdale-Appleby, the chair
of EFDS, said:
"This welcome increase in funding from Sport
England will enable EFDS, together with our national member
organisations, to implement our new strategy to halt and then
reverse the decline in sports participation amongst people with
disabilities. It is an exciting development for everyone
involved."
Sport England also confirmed that a further £8
million of National Lottery funding has been ring-fenced for
investment in sport for disabled people over the next two years.
Sport England is working with the sector to identify specific
barriers to disabled participation and how best to target the
additional £8m investment to ensure the best results for sport for
disabled people.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
£2m of National Lottery investment is
available for applications from EFDS and its 8 member
organisations:
- British Amputee and Les Autre Sports Association
- British Blind Sport
- CP Sport
- Mencap Sport
- UK Deaf Sport
- Wheelpower
- Dwarf Athletic Association
- Special Olympics
No other organisation is eligible to apply in
relation to this funding.
Sport England invests National Lottery and
Exchequer funding in organisations and projects that will grow and
sustain participation in grassroots sport and create opportunities
for people to excel at their chosen sport.
Sport England is committed to creating a
world-leading community sport system, and has set specific and
measurable targets to achieve by 2012/13:
- One million people doing more sport
- A 25% reduction in the number of 16- to 18-year-olds who drop
out of at least five key sports
- Improved talent development systems in at least 25 sports
- A measurable increase in people’s satisfaction with their
experience of sport
- A major contribution to the delivery of the five hour
sports offer for children and young people.