Winter Survival Package of £300m for major spectator sports

Sport England's chief executive, Tim Hollingsworth, has welcomed the government's announcement of a £300 million Winter Survival Package to help major spectator sports.

The injection of funding will support spectator sports impacted by coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions – from national governing bodies through to individual clubs.

The government package is providing support to, among others, rugby union, horse racing, netball, basketball and badminton, as well as the lower tiers of football's National League – a preliminary breakdown of the funding distribution proposed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) can be found via the weblink below.

They will be distributing the funding and, in due course, will announce the criteria and how the process will work.

The fund's designed to last until the end of the current financial year and Tim hopes the money will have a positive impact on sports affected by the ban on spectators due to coronavirus restrictions.

"These are unprecedented times for our sector, and those sports and leagues that rely so heavily on spectators for their income that have been especially impacted by the pandemic," he said.

"The role they play in their local communities is vital and this package of support from government will be hugely welcomed.  

"Alongside our wider support for grassroots and community sport, Sport England is working very closely with government colleagues on the design of this fund and we look forward to playing a key role in its successful and swift delivery."

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