WIREDGOV

Sport England’s responsibility is to get more people in England playing sport. Part of this work involves ensuring there is a clear talent pathway for promising athletes to reach an elite level, and we work closely with each sport’s national governing body to develop this pathway. Talent pathway funding is not restricted in age, age limits are different for each sport and agreed with the sport’s national governing body. We therefore do not believe that there is a funding gap for supporting talent development in England.

Sport England’s remit does not extend to funding elite sport. Once athletes reach the elite level, it is then the responsibility of UK Sport to decide whether and how to make funding available to further develop this talent.

In the case of volleyball, for example, we have allocated £5.1million of funding to Volleyball England over four years to increase the numbers of people playing indoor, beach and sitting volleyball, at all age and ability levels. This includes over £900,000 (an increase of £100,000 on the last four year funding cycle) to develop a continual pathway for further growing volleyball and is not limited by any age. This pathway was developed by Volleyball England to meet their needs for talent development and they have welcomed Sport England’s support of their plan.

Whilst Sport England and UK Sport have very different remits, we regularly collaborate to ensure that the most effective talent pathways are being developed for each sport.