Sport England have announced an additional £2.5 million fund for bodies across the UK to ‘adapt’ to climate challenges.
The announcement was made by Sport England chair Chris Boardman at the Blue Earth Summit, urging sports providers across the country to apply for the funding to aid in outweighing the implications of climate change.
The climate is increasingly being seen as a barrier in sport, with the latest Sport England Activity Check-in revealing that 62% of adults and 63% of young people (aged 11-16) say they’re doing less activity as a result of extreme weather experienced in the last 12 months.
At the conference, Boardman said: “This is the biggest boost to grassroots sport yet; new tools, training and up to £2.5 million still available this year.
“Our ambition is to leave the world better, greener and fairer than we found it.”
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole bodies have received £1,336,309 in Sport England funding over the last three years.
Recipients included Christchurch Rugby Club and Poole Park Bowling Club.
The Sport England Movement Fund can be applied for up to £15,000, with an aim to break barriers to enable universal participation.
The Dorset Climate Action Network (CAN) support local bodies in their adaptation to climate challenges, as well as running their own initiatives.
Giles Watts, Chair of the Dorset CAN, believes more local funding can be “transformative” for regional climate mitigation.
He said: “Any external funding is going to be greatly received.
“Mitigation is about trying to stop the causes of climate change, so in relation to sports and sporting facilities, reducing their energy output by putting solar panels on the roof, installing heat pumps or putting in LED lighting would reduce emissions.
“What Chris Boardman has proposed makes enormous amounts of sense, and if local groups can make adaptation to climate change, then that’s got to be a good thing.”
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