Fund of £5.5m and MoU for Commonwealth Games legacy across the West Midlands

Sport England has announced a memorandum of understanding with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) worth £5.5m.

The 10-year collaboration will see the two organisations continue the relationship from hosting last year’s Commonwealth Games, as Sport England aims to make it easier for people to get active more frequently.

Announced on 26 July, the long-term plan is backed by £5.5m of new joint funding from the WMCA’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund and Sport England’s National Lottery funding.

“Being active can change lives both physically and mentally and it’s important that we continue to support people in the grassroots to be active and make a difference for themselves and their communities,” said Chris Boardman, Sport England chair.

“This 10-year partnership will make a vital difference for people in the West Midlands, following our substantial investment into the Commonwealth Games last year. I’m proud to see it help people move and reap the benefits that being active can have for them.”

Investing £35m in the Birmingham games last year, Sport England had a big focus on building a lasting impact due to new facilities and enduring opportunities for local communities in the region.

The launch was held at Impact Fitness, who received a £10,000 grant from Sport England’s Places and Spaces fund, as well as being given equipment from the Commonwealth Games distributed to community groups across the West Midlands.

Established after the Games came in under budget, the WMCA’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund and the government have decided to invest the remaining £70m into the region – a decision welcomed by Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands.

The mayor said there were “too many barriers” to local people taking part in sport and physical activity, and reaffirmed he was “determined to address” the health inequalities through the help of Sport England.

• For more information, please visit
• https://www.sportengland.org/
• https://www.wmca.org.uk/