Derbyshire Sport website search

Enter keyword - eg. athletics

South Derbyshire awarded Community Investment Fund cash

7 January 2008

Sport England has awarded £244,000 from its Community Investment Fund to the ‘Getting South Derbyshire Active’ project which has been created by South Derbyshire Sport.

And the money is part of more than half a million pounds which will be spent to develop sport across the district over the next three years, as the National Lottery funding will be matched by more than £300,000 from members of the South Derbyshire Sport partnership.

Cllr John Lemmon, Chair of the Strategic Sports Group of South Derbyshire Sport, said at least four new multi-use games areas would be created and money would be used to significantly increase the opportunities for local people to be involved in sport either by taking part or as a volunteer with a group or team.

He said: "This is the largest Community Investment Fund award in Derbyshire from Sport England. It is really going to make a difference.

"It is thrilling that so much money is going to be invested in sport and recreation in South Derbyshire.

"An important part of the work of the ’Getting South Derbyshire Active’ project is to provide support to local clubs and societies who want to develop junior sections or recruit volunteers. We can also help groups to raise funding and improve their facilities.

"Members of the South Derbyshire Sport partnership, which includes South Derbyshire District Council, Derbyshire County Council’s Opportunities Fund, South Derbyshire School Sport Partnership, Derbyshire County PCT, the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership and local parish councils are making a notable financial contribution.

"We are all excited about the prospects for increasing the amount of sport and leisure activities which will be available in South Derbyshire."

The ‘Getting South Derbyshire Active’ project will help deliver the newly launched South Derbyshire Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Strategy for 2007-2010 which maps out the development of sport and recreation including leisure facilities, the development of open space and school sport.

Hannah Barradell-Smith, the District’s Sport and Youth Development Manager, said: "This funding from Sport England and the members of South Derbyshire Sport gives us a golden opportunity to help improve the health and well-being of people of all ages in South Derbyshire.

"With this extra support more local people could be involved in the 2012 Olympics as sportsmen and women or as volunteers."

James Buller, Investment Manager for Sport England East Midlands, said: "The funding provides a huge boost for sport in South Derbyshire and will help more people become more physically active.

"It is a great example of how National Lottery funding is helping to build community facilities and support our ambition to get two million people participating more in sport by 2012."

Pictured above is Cllr John Lemmon, Chair of the strategic Sports Group of South Derbyshire Sport, with Community Sports Coach John Widdowson and Maxine Harlow, Secretary for Hilton Harriers. Pic courtesy of the Burton Mail.