Swimming, rugby league, gymnastics and equestrian see funding diverted

Chief executive Jennie Price admits removing £1.53m of funding from four sports was a tough decision but a necessary one to safeguard Sport England’s investment in grassroots sport.

Swimming, rugby league, gymnastics and equestrian are the sports affected by the move after a decline in overall participation and their failure to meet targets agreed with Sport England.

The decision was taken after detailed analysis of the Active People Survey and will see the money reinvested in alternative projects that will not be delivered directly by the governing bodies affected.

Price said: "Sometimes we need to take tough decisions to protect our much-needed investment in grassroots sport. Today is one of those times.

"We invest significant sums of money in national governing bodies of sport to get more people active.

"But we can't ignore falling numbers and missed targets where we believe there is scope for improvement, and in those circumstances we will divert money to projects that we believe will have more impact."

Almost £700,000 of Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) funding will be diverted to pilot projects to improve the experience of casual and social swimmers.

Over half a million pounds of funding for rugby league has now been earmarked for community projects designed to tempt new players and staff into the sport.

Five per cent (£205,491) of British Gymnastics' funding for participation will be diverted to clubs where facilities are required.

And 10 per cent (£83,881) of the British Equestrian Federation's remaining funding will be diverted to invest in new projects that make the sport more accessible to disabled people.

Responding to Sport England's announcement, ASA chief executive Adam Paker said: "Swimming is the most popular participation sport in England with over 2.6 million adults taking part once a week and we believe we are developing a strong strategy based on greater insight to encourage even more people to take part in swimming and other aquatic sports over the next two years.

"We are pleased that Sport England share this confidence, which they have demonstrated by giving us a two-year funding commitment."

Rugby League also failed to meet its participation targets in the last Active People Survey, but the RFL says its own data shows that the sport now has more registered players than ever before and improvements are being made.

"Our own data based on actual participants shows year on year we are growing but not at the rate we would like," RFL chief operating officer Ralph Rimmer said.

"We are facing the same challenges that other organised team sports face when it comes to meeting Active People targets but the challenge is one we are determined to meet."