Stephen Crabb has welcomed the news that Llechryd Cricket Club in Preseli Pembrokeshire will benefit from new funding as a result of the UK Conservative Government’s long-term investment in grassroots sports.
Exercising more is the most common New Year’s resolution. That is why the Conservative Government is helping hundreds of thousands of people across the country stick to their resolution by delivering high-quality grassroots sports facilities.
Over 1,100 projects across the UK are receiving funding towards facilities such as changing rooms, pavilions, state of the art 3G football turf, goalposts, and floodlights, improving access to sport and physical activity for local communities.
Importantly, the UK Government’s multi-sport grassroots fund is investing in areas that are most in need, with at least 50 per cent spent in the most deprived and inactive local authorities.
As part of this investment, local communities across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will benefit from an unprecedented £12 million in 2023-24, delivering in partnership with the Scottish FA, the Irish FA, Cymru Football Foundation and Football Association of Wales. A further £9 million is also being committed across these regions for projects to be delivered through 2024-25.
This builds on historic investment in grassroots sport. Since 2021, the UK Government has helped deliver new facilities or improvements at almost 2,400 sites across the UK, getting more than 120,000 people active.
The UK Government is sticking to its plan to improve the mental and physical health of the nation and provide high-quality sports facilities across the country, ensuring a brighter future for this generation and generations to come.
Commenting, Stephen Crabb MP said:
“I am delighted that Llechryd Cricket Club has secured £115,724 from UK Government to help with their ambitious plans to redevelop Llechryd’s cricket club and grounds. When I met with the committee online last February, I was impressed by the commitment and vision of the group to modernise the sports facility. I heard that the club was home to 440 members, and it had outgrown its existing capacity. We were shown some fantastic plans to construct a new modern club house to accommodate cricket, tennis and football teams. This money will be a great boost to the club and will no doubt help them to achieve their vision faster.”
“ Grassroots sports in Pembrokeshire is so important, not just for children, but for every resident. We are lucky to have so many clubs right on our doorstep and the backing of so many volunteers and parents that devote a lot of time and energy in to coaching and admin needed to make these clubs run.”
“I am thrilled that more money has been secured for Pembrokeshire from UK Government and they recognise the value of vibrant and active sports clubs in our community.”
Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said:
“Sport and physical activity are vital to our mental health and wellbeing, and each year thousands of people make a New Year's resolution to exercise more.
“We know that one of the major barriers in getting active is having access to high-quality sports facilities, which is why we are upgrading 1,100 more pitches, backed by investing £93 million.
“This Government has delivered thousands of new projects across the UK with the aim of getting over 120,000 more people to get active, helping us to make big strides towards meeting our ambitious target of 3.5 million more people active by 2030.”