Cycling reaps rewards of Wiggo as rugby and cricket funds fall
SPORT England has announced large budget increases for cycling, triathlon and netball but cricket, tennis and rugby have suffered heavy cuts.
The body will provide £493m to grassroots projects in 46 sports between 2013-17, with only 11 sports receiving less than in 2009-13.
Cycling had a hugely successful year at London 2012 and most notably with Bradley Wiggins becoming Tour de France champion.
Alongside the Sky Ride scheme, these achievements have seen a large increase in cycling numbers leading to a 30 per cent rise in cash to £32m.
Netball funding has increased from £18.7m to £25.3m for its key contribution to increasing women’s participation in sport, while triathlon projects are set to receive £7.5m, up from £4.7m.
However rugby has been hit hard, with league cut by £10.1m to £17.5m and union by £8.8m to £20m despite the 2015 World Cup being hosted in England. Cricket’s funding has fallen £7.7m to £27.5m. Tennis, swimming and basketball have been granted just one year’s guaranteed funding with the rest dependent on results.