The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture,
Media and Sport ():...Like my hon. Friend, the Government believe that
sports clubs are the beating heart of their communities. Were we to
lose them, we would lose so much more than sport. That is why, to
help community clubs through this crisis, Department for Digital,
Culture, Media and Sport funding body Sport
England announced a £210 million emergency fund, and why
earlier this year the Government stepped in to protect rugby league
from the imminent threat of collapse. Both those interventions were
on top of the multi-billion pound package of business support from
the Treasury that enabled many of our sports clubs to survive.
(Eddisbury) (Con): Recent data published by
Sport England and the Youth Sport
Trustshows that the level of women’s and girls’ sport and
physical activity, which was rising, has fallen significantly
during covid. I encourage my hon. Friend to lead a national push to
get the grassroots going again and engage the likes of the Premier
League to play their part. Will he back the development of a
groundbreaking women’s and girls’ football centre of excellence in
Winsford in my constituency?
: We have spoken previously about the Winsford
facility. It sounds like a great idea, and we would like to do
what we can to back it. As I have said previously, women’s
involvement in sport is a top priority for me. I say again that I
expect any entity receiving Government money to ensure that a
fair share goes to women’s sport. It is absolutely vital that we
put a great deal of emphasis on women’s sporting facilities in
this country...
(Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op):...The
Minister will be aware that today is National Sporting Heritage
Day, and Black History Month starts tomorrow. This morning, I had
the honour to sit and listen to some remarkable legends of rugby
league who originated in my constituency, in places like Tiger
Bay, Splott and Grangetown, and went north to play rugby
league—the likes of Billy Boston. A huge campaign has been
launched to honour and recognise their pioneering work not only
in their sport but in breaking down racial discrimination and the
barriers that were faced at the time. Will the Minister back that
campaign? Will he agree to come and meet those supporting it?
Will he say what he is doing to support grassroots rugby of both
codes?
: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments and I
applaud his engagement. I will be happy to talk to him further
about where I can get involved. Any and all activities that
ensure that sport truly is for all are important. I also applaud
the work of Sport England and other bodies,
whose initiatives ensure that sport is indeed open to all. That
will continue with direct non-financial and financial support. I
would be happy to talk to the hon. Gentleman further...
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