Government announces £50m investment in sports facilities amid Euros hype

The government has announced that it is investing an additional £50m into sports facilities across the country as interests in football soar.

The prime minister has announced today (July 14) that the government is investing £50m in grassroots football pitches, which he says will “boost” national interest and inspire the “stars of the future”.

The funding will be made available next year and will be prioritised for “left-behind” communities, enabling more communities to access sport pitches.

Along with contributions from the Football Association and Premier League and other local partners, the funding will build 185 new 3G artificial pitches, improve 5,000 existing grass pitches and create 9 ‘hub’ sites with multiple pitches.

Oliver Dowden, culture secretary, said: “On the back of the inspirational success of the Three Lions and as anticipation builds for the women’s Euros next year, we want to seize the moment and build the pitches for a golden decade of football.

“This investment will provide top facilities for the Kanes, Sterlings and Houghtons of tomorrow to hone their skills.

“Playing sport is a fundamental part of building back better and healthier from Covid.

“This extra £50m funding will ensure that families right across the country have fantastic grassroots facilities on their doorstep. We committed to levelling up and we are delivering.”

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