Swindon MP welcomes sports facilities investment

A £252,640 Government investment in South Swindon sports facilities has been welcomed by local MP Sir Robert Buckland.

He says the funds will help to get more people active and nurture future sporting talent, and that across the UK, 1,700 new and improved multi-sports grassroots facilities are benefiting from £68m from the Government. 

Projects support a range of facility types, from the creation or upgrading of changing rooms, grass pitches and 3G football turf pitches and pavilions to floodlights, fencing and improved disabled access.

This funding comes from the latest allocations of a £300m UK-wide capital investment in grassroots facilities to deliver upgrades, improvements, and new pitches, which the Government says will make more high-quality facilities available for people to play football, hockey and other grassroots sports.  

At least half of will be spent in underprivileged areas to give as many people as possible the opportunity to take part in sport, and the programme will also ensure particular focus on increasing participation among underrepresented groups such as women and girls and people with disabilities.

Sir Robert said: "Grassroots facilities are essential for nurturing future sporting talent and encouraging people to get active which benefits their physical and mental wellbeing.

“That is why I welcome the funding from the Conservative Government which will see South Swindon benefit from £252,640 to improve our local sports facilities and help more people access them." 

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “We are committed to levelling up access to sport which is so important for the nation’s physical and mental health. 

“Today we are delivering more than 1,700 new and improved grassroots sports facilities across the UK to continue to support, sustain and grow community and grassroots sport - so that physical activity is accessible to all, no matter a person’s background or location."

The money, the Government says, will help to deliver the huge mental health and wellbeing benefits associated with sport, improving the wellbeing of the nation and helping to cut NHS waiting lists.