26th June 2025
A boy playing cricket on the playing field at Southwater Junior Academy.
The news that at least £400 million will be invested in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities across the UK has been welcomed by the chair of Sports England.
The funding will be used to promote health, wellbeing and community cohesion, as well as removing the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, such as women and girls, people with disabilities and ethnic minority communities.
Chris Boardman, chair of Sport England, said the move will not only benefit the country’s health, but its economy too – as research on the value of community sport shows.
He said: “The government’s continued investment into grassroots sport facilities is welcome news; the nation’s pitches, pools and leisure centres play a pivotal role in keeping people moving.
“With every £1 invested in community sport and physical activity generating £4.20 in value for our economy, supporting grassroots facilities isn’t just good for public health – it’s a smart investment in the nation’s social and economic wellbeing.”
Alongside the grassroots investment, the government has committed £500m to support the delivery and hosting of major sporting events being held in the UK over the coming years, including the men’s and women’s Tour de France Grands Départs in 2027, the men’s UEFA EURO 2028 alongside Ireland, and the European Athletics Championships 2026 in Birmingham.
The Prime Minister also announced new plans for schools to ensure all young people have access to high-quality physical education and sport.
The new approach will ensure that schools prioritise equal opportunities for children, regardless of age, gender or ability in sport, and protect two hours per week of PE for every child.