Twenty years on there's a 'Lotto' sport can be thankful for

Twenty years on since the launch of the National Lottery, Jo Swarbrick, Policy Officer here at the Alliance looks back at legacy and positive impact lottery funding has had across the sporting spectrum.

I don’t think Noel Edmonds gets enough credit. Unless you’re a particular fan of randomly opening boxes or have fond memories of Mr Blobby, chances are you won’t be giving Noel the acclaim he deserves. Because it was Noel who presided over the first National Lottery draw which changed the sports funding landscape completely.

Noel’s personal role in granting more than £6 billion to sports projects since 1994 is unclear, but what is obvious is the effect this money has had on sport- both at the grassroots and elite levels.

Lottery money has been responsible for some of the biggest sporting construction projects in the country. £120 million on Wembley Stadium, £22 million for Manchester Aquatics Centre, £13 million for Sheffield Ice Rink. But it is the money granted to clubs and community projects which has arguably had the biggest impact.

Of the 77,000 grants provided by the Lottery to sports projects, over 70% have been for £100,000 or less. The big projects are eye catching, but the smaller grant which relays a local pitch or builds new changing rooms is just as vital.

Perhaps most tangible though is the impact Lottery funding has had on the performance of our elite athletes. Lottery money has made it possible to fund more athletes from across a more diverse range of sports and deliver medal success.

You only need to look at the performance of Great Britain at the last 5 Olympic Games to see the impact Lottery money has had: from 36th in the medal table in Atlanta, to 3rd in London. Since 1996, 633 medals have been won in Olympic and Paralympic Games by Lottery funded athletes.

Add to all this the £2.2 billion contributed to help stage the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Cultural Olympiad, and what we have is an unmatched and invaluable funding stream which has played a key role in delivering success and participation at all levels.

In the 20 years since the Lottery began, the difference in investment, success and participation in sport in the UK is huge. And while Noel may never get the credit he is entitled to, Lottery funding will continue to support clubs, athletes and infrastructure right across the country.

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