What an amazing week of UK sport we have had. As previous Minister of Sport at DCMS, I was privileged to have been fully involved in all the initial work to bring the Commonwealth Games forward including adding women’s cricket to the programme, the decision to build Sandwell aquatics centre and much more. So over three years on it was a pleasure to attend the opening ceremony of these Games and the Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls on Friday at Leamington Spa which is the Wembley of Bowls. What a fantastic sport to watch, having visited the Lindfield and Burgess Hill Bowls Club where I’ve had a try at this game, it’s not as easy as they make it look. At the time of writing this we are second in the league table for medals. A huge congratulations to medallists, everyone who has taken part & the volunteers, your hard work and dedication is to be commended, you are all sporting heroes.
I was very pleased to have attend the NCS Social Action pitch in Burgess Hill last week, to meet the young people from ‘Team McKraken’ and hear how they decided upon and organised their fundraising activities and to question and talk to them about their exciting fundraising project. Their presentation was confidently delivered and well researched.
A big thank you to all the charities that joined the Peoples Post Code Lottery funding training. I know times have been very tough for charities over the last few years and are likely to be difficult for the foreseeable future. If you would like more details about what funding is available and how to apply give me shout.
Finally, I cannot go without congratulating the Lionesses for their amazing performances throughout the Women’s Euros. An impressive set of wins, that led to the only possible conclusion of football coming home. Many congratulations to all the team on the well-deserved win. This now paves the way for more young girls and women to come forward to realise their own sporting ambitions as players, referees and coaches.
