(LD): My Lords, when we talk about the future of
professional and amateur sport, will the Minister give us some idea
of what emphasis is being given to encouraging people to partake in
sport, at whatever level, as opposed to simply watching it, and how
the two balance each other? These are two very important aspects of
the Question. Can we get clear guidance on the Government’s
thinking on both matters?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport () (Con): The
Government have been very clear on the value of sport, both
amateur and professional, and encouraging people to take part. We
have welcomed many of the online initiatives over the lockdown
period in particular, and have supplied funding through
Sport England to the tune of £210 million to
ensure that those facilities and clubs survive.
: What
investment will the Government make into local provision for
children and young people to engage in sports and physical
activity that is shaped by them, given the research of the
Children’s Society highlighting the importance not only of chosen
physical activity but also of positive time with peers, and the
fact that that has all been horribly impacted by Covid-19?
(Con): I
share the right reverend Prelate’s appreciation of the fact that
sports clubs do so much more for their communities than just
provide sport, and I welcome very much the pilot projects that
she mentions. Through Sport England there is a
lot of collaboration with young people to ensure that local
provision does indeed meet their needs and reflect their own
aspirations.
(Lab) [V]: My Lords, I am sure the Minister understands
that there are a lot of very important community football clubs
below the level of the National League. I know and have worked
with the northern league for many years. In places like Redcar,
Crook in County Durham and Tow Law, the club is important not
just to football enthusiasts but to the whole community. Many of
them feel that if they have to go through another period of
uncertainty in these areas, which are already among the poorest
and most vulnerable—not only in terms of Covid but because they
are what the Government call levelling-up areas—that will be a
huge hit to the community. Can she assure me that she will make
sure that these clubs are also considered, not just those in the
National League and above in the pyramid of the FA?
(Con): The
noble Baroness is right that these clubs have been a crucial
element in the fabric of our communities for many years, much
longer than some of the elite clubs. Obviously those clubs are
now allowed to have spectators in a Covid-secure way, but we are
working closely with Sport England and, as I
mentioned earlier, have already distributed £210 million to
organisations such as those that the noble Baroness
mentioned.
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