LONDON 2012: Sport England launch new grass roots legacy programme

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Posted: Tuesday 14th June 2011 | 6:14

SPORT England are investing £32 million into a London 2012 legacy programme they hope will see 300,000 teenagers take up sport.

CRITICISM: The government have been criticised for reneging on previous sport participation promises, a major legacy target of the London 2012 bid (Getty Images)

Sportivate will give youngsters aged between 14 and 25 the chance to receive six to eight weeks coaching, with a number of former and current elite athletes signing up to assist the programme.

In addition, those who continue to show a commitment to sport will have the chance to enter a ballot for free London 2012 tickets.

In order to be eligible, participants will need to complete the sports course, missing no more than one session, and then continue to participate in sport for at least three months.

When London won the right to stage the Games, the previous government made a commitment to get two million people more active, although that later became a pledge to get just one million more people playing more sport.

Since taking office, the coalition has downgraded that pledge to an aspiration and the launch last year of a £135m grass roots scheme, branded Places People Play, was heavily criticised by former Olympics minister Tessa Jowell for reneging on promises made to get children more active.

However, Sport England chief executive Jennie Price - who saw her organisation's funding heavily cut in last year's comprehensive spending review - remains optimistic there will be a grass roots legacy from next year's Games.

She said: “Lots of young people think sport isn’t for them. I would like them to have the chance to discover whether there is a sport they really enjoy, so this programme is all about choice.

"Everyone who takes part will receive high quality coaching – giving them the confidence and skills which will make them want to keep playing in the future.”

The new scheme is being backed by teenage weightlifter Zoe Smith, who won bronze at last year's Commonwealth Games aged just 16.

"I didn’t take up my sport until I was 12, so it just shows if you’re up for some fun and trying something new, you can find a sport you really want to stick with," she said.