Sport funding: Football faces funding cut after participation fall
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Football and tennis have been warned that their funding is at risk after both saw a decline in participation in England.
Sport England, who distribute Lottery money to support grass-roots sport, believe tennis failed to capitalise on Andy Murray's success in winning Wimbledon. Football has fallen behind swimming, athletics/running and cycling.
There was an increase in people playing sport once a week – a rise of 206,000 since April, which means the boost provided by London 2012 has been maintained. But Sport England will hold meetings with the Football Association and Lawn Tennis Association and make a decision in January about whether to suspend up to 20 per cent of funding.
Football's numbers fell 100,000 since April and tennis, which suffered a cut in funding earlier this year, saw participation fall from 423,400 to 406,000 in six months.
Sport England's chief executive Jenni Price said: "We are very disappointed by football's results and the FA really need to grasp this." An alarming fall in young people playing sport was mostly due to the decline in football and netball.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments