Sport England has launched a new £16.5 million fund to give additional help to the sport and physical activity sector during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Return to Play Fund will support groups, clubs and organisations who’ve been impacted by restrictions brought in to tackle the disease, and is part of the overall response to the crisis that now includes more than £220m of government and National Lottery funding.
Sport England chief executive, Tim Hollingsworth, said the fund would “particularly focus on tackling inequalities in activity that have worsened over the last six months”.
He said: “A key priority for us has been to support our sector and all those who deliver sport and activity.
“The disruption we’ve all experienced over the past few months has been unprecedented, with the ability to be active being just one way we’ve been affected, particularly at a time when keeping active and healthy has never been more important.
“With ever changing restrictions and measures being put in place throughout England, there is a continuing urgent need for us to try and support grassroots organisations to put in place the necessary support to safely get everyone active in local areas over the coming months.”