The Department for Education has defended their stance on selling off playing fields on their website, arguing that all 21 sites were sold for good reason, including the fact that three were school facilities were leased to organisations to improve sporting provision.
This update provides perspective, but is unlikely to dampen interest in school sport provision in light of our Olympic success. News reports highlighting the fact that the majority of our top athletes are privately educated coupled with the government’s recent decision to scrap the compulsory two hours of physical education a week for children in local authority maintained schools, will ensure the focus remains on state funding and support for school sport.
On the back of our Olympic success the government has the perfect opportunity to develop its sports education policy, provide greater funding opportunities and ensure children from every background have access to a range of sport at schools. Will they take it?