Grass roots sport has gained an extra £70 million through a government incentive scheme to encourage companies to sponsor local, community sporting events.

Sportsmatch, which backs sponsors’ money on a £ for £ basis, has brought 4,000 companies into grass roots events that have involved 12 million young people since it was founded in 1992.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Sportsmatch at a reception in London on July 17 Minister for Sports, Richard Caborn, said:

‘At a local level, Sportsmatch applies the principles that need to apply to the organisation of sport in the country as a whole. We need to improve the capital foundation of sport, to improve the quality, quantity and location of sports provision and to use the human resources that is abundantly available to its greatest potential.

‘This year, Sportsmatch celebrates its tenth anniversary and it can look back on a performance that has encouraged thousands of companies to sponsor grass roots sport that has benefited millions of participants. It is a record of which all involved can be justly proud and one which has secured it a unique place in sporting and commercial life of the country.’

Sportsmatch gives priority support to activities, principally coaching and development programmes, involving ethnic minorities, schools, women and girls sport and projects in deprived areas. More than 3,500 projects have been backed by Sportsmatch and business sponsors across 73 sports with the objectives of increasing participation and improving sporting skills as well as achieving valuable social benefits.

Commercial sponsorship of grass roots sport has become a growth market since Sportsmatch was founded. Currently one in three of all sports sponsorship deals is for grass roots activities.

For further information contact:

Martin Cannon 01753 884860. Mobile 077 755 18 501
Sportsmatch: 020 7233 7747
Website: www.sportsmatch.co.uk