The London 2012 Olympics put sport in the spotlight in this country like never before. We wanted it to inspire a generation and it did.
Today we are building on that inspiration by announcing a fresh approach to school sport that will benefit kids across the country.
Government’s £150 million a year investment to primary schools will go direct to headteachers to spend on sport. They’ll be able to use that how they see fit – as long as it’s spent on quality sport provision.
They’ll be able to bring FA qualified coaches in to teach football or get cricket coaches in from the ECB. They’ll be able to train their own teachers up to take PE lessons or invest in new equipment. It’ll make sport accessible and fun in primary schools, with experts in charge.
Bringing sport to local communities
This funding will complement the £1 billion of investment into youth and community we are channelling through Sport England that is strengthening grassroots clubs and increasing sporting opportunities in local communities, as well as the work of charities like Sported, that the Sun backs with its excellent Choose Sport campaign.
Proud legacy
This is the last piece in the sports legacy jigsaw.
We want people to play sport for life and giving them the right experience at school is crucial if that’s to happen.
If you ask some of our top athletes and medal winners they always remember their first coach who started them on their way.
Good coaching at an early age can help develop the next Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah or Ellie Simmonds but, more importantly, it can help children enjoy sport, lead healthy lifestyles and learn crucial lessons for life about winning and losing.
And that’s an Olympic legacy we should all be proud of.