Sportsmatch move motivated by party politics

Hugh Robertson has commented on the news that Sportsmatch, a government funded scheme set up in 1992 to help fund grass roots and community sports in England is to be taken over by Sport England.

Hugh said: “Sportsmatch was set up by the Conservatives and had a fantastic record of helping community sports clubs.

“It was therefore hugely regrettable when, in 2006, the Chancellor duplicated its function by creating the National Sports Foundation in a piece of entirely unnecessary extra bureaucracy.
“The news today that Sportsmatch will now be swallowed up by Sport England is a move motivated by party politics and will not help the independence of sports from Government or the cause of the many small clubs and organisations that have benefited from Sportsmatch.”