The Conservatives will open their party conference by setting out new funding for school sport and tennis courts across the nation as the party set out its mission to build back better and healthier following the pandemic.
The Government and Lawn Tennis Association have announced a £30 million package to refurbish public tennis courts across Britain, and support a new generation of players to get into the sport. Nadine Dorries has committed £22 million of new Government funding alongside a £8.5 million commitment by the Lawn Tennis Association to revive over 4,500 park courts at more than 1,500 venues owned by local authorities.
At the same time the Education Secretary has announced further investment in school sport to help children stay active. This will build on the £10.1 million
existing investment to keep school sports facilities and swimming pools open outside of the school day.
The Government will invest an additional £30m a year to help schools build new sport facilities; upgrade existing facilities (e.g.improving drainage so pitches withstand rain, meaning fewer cancelled activities); and improve community access to facilities (e.g. creating a secure out-of-hours entrance). This will help schools offer a richer sporting experience to children - both during and outside the school day. And it will help communities as a whole benefit from better access to great facilities.
Both announcements are designed to level up access to sporting facilities across the UK, helping improve participation and support the nation’s future sporting success.
Park courts are some of the most accessible to those wishing to pick up a racket, yet 45% of courts in England, Scotland and Wales are in need of investment as their condition is unplayable, very poor, or poor. Currently 50% of unplayable venues are in the areas of highest deprivation. This new investment will pay for resurfacing and repainting tennis courts. The funding will also be used to increase the use of Gate Access Systems that allow the public to access courts via smartphone apps. The LTA will work with local authorities to put in place sustainable models to help ensure courts can be used by communities on an ongoing basis. The investment will be rolled out in 2-3 years with local communities benefiting from an immediate transformation of facilities and boosts to participation.
The move is designed to open up the sport to people of all backgrounds, support the Government’s commitment to levelling up sports provision across the nation, and provide greater opportunities for everyone to follow the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance on physical activity. The guidance makes clear that children should aim to carry out 60 minutes of physical activity a day, and adults 2.5 hours a week.
Commenting, Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries said:
"The whole country watched in awe as Emma Raducanu succeeded in winning the US open. I want more people to follow in Emma’s footsteps and find success on the court, whether that's winning an international tournament or just picking up a racket to keep fit. That's why we are going to invest £22m to repair and improve access to park tennis courts across the country as part of the Conservative’s efforts to level up our sporting success."
Commenting, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said:
“It’s fantastic news that the Government is investing over £30 million to boost sports activities and PE at schools in England. Sport plays such a vital role in the education of our children and helps to build their character and broaden their opportunities. This funding shows that we are serious about improving access to quality sports facilities to keep kids active. We know the next Harry Kane, Emma Raducanu or Mo Farah is out there, but they need the right facilities and support to display their talent. This Conservative government will help children realise their full athletic potential.”
