Shadow sports minister Alison McGovern said “sports face collapse.”
It follows Saturday’s announcement of a new four-week lockdown from Thursday until 2 December to combat rising Covid-19 numbers.
The Sports and Recreation Alliance, which represents UK national sports organisations including the FA and Rugby Football Union along with community sport, has warned the new measures may “prove to be the final nail in the coffin for a number of these clubs”.
Chief executive Lisa Wainwright said: “The closure of our facilities will once again place a financial burden on thousands of community clubs who are already reeling from the initial lockdown and we fear that many may never reopen their doors without a comprehensive sports recovery fund provided by government.”
The Sport for Development Coalition backed calls for more funding from the government as many sporting clubs, charities and local organisations “support mental wellbeing, contribute to tackling social isolation, facilitate community connections and engage young people excluded from education and employment”.
Sport England said there were “difficult days ahead for many in our sector” but that “it is vital we do everything we can to continue to support people to keep active within what is permitted”.
It added: “Sport England already has several live funding packages available to help support grassroots clubs and organisations who have lost vital income this year as well as help them enable people to be active within the rules and we’re working hard with officials in government to help make wider financial support available.”
To find out more click here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/54767836
