Media Support Opposition to PE and Sport Cuts - News - Breckland SSP

Media Support Opposition to PE and Sport Cuts

Following the Governments recent announcement that all direct funding for PE and school/college sport will cease after August 2011 there has been an unprecedented level of media coverage in opposition to the cuts. The cuts have been criticised by MP's, headteachers, professional athletes, parents and more importantly young people, all of whom believe the cuts will have a negative effect on the provision of PE and sport within our schools and colleges.  We have gathered together just a few examples of some of the media coverage from both national and local media to highlight the level of opposition to the cuts. Please could we urge you to take a few minutes out of your busy day to view some of the coverage. 

Television Coverage

• ITV news http://www.itv.com/news/big-freeze-gets-colder36751/report 03.37 in
• Sky Sports News – December 1st http://www.skysports.com/skysportsnews/story/1,28679,19501_6545515,00.html
•  The Opposition Day Debate – Nov 30th http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11879062
• BBC Politics Show http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fiplayer%2Fepisode%2Fb00wbkjn%2FThe_Politics_Show_North_West_28_11_2010&h=c46b5
• BBC Politics Show - http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adrianwarner/2010/11/expect_a_u-turn_over_school_sp.html
• Channel 4 News - http://www.channel4.com/news/school-sport-funding-cut-row

Radio Coverage

• Parkinson on BBC – 1.26 mins in. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fentertainment-arts-11876121&h=c46b5
• Talk Sport - http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/listen-again/episode/13030 (listen from 33.47mins, the topic is covered throughout the show)
• BBC Radio Norfolk - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00c3h69/Matthew_Gudgin_18_11_2010/ (interview with Rob McCombe from West Norwich and Dereham SSP begins at 1hr 15m 30s)

 Newspaper Articles

• Daily Telegraph – 1st December http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/garethadavies/8171765/Michael-Gove-accused-of-senseless-act-of-vandalism-in-axing-funding-for-School-Sports-Partnerships.html
• The Guardian – 1st December http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/nov/30/olympic-athletes-school-sport-cuts
• Guardian Latest – 30th Nov http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/nov/30/schools-pooling-resources-education-policy?CMP=twt_fd
• North East Paper http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/11/30/north-east-pupils-hit-out-over-cuts-to-school-sport-61634-27738491/
• Burton Mail http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Warning-160m-cuts-may-affect-childrens-health.htm
• Guardian - http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/nov/16/school-sport-funding-cuts
• Observer - http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/nov/16/school-sport-funding-cuts
• Eastern Daily Press - http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/education/sports_partnerships_loss_could_damage_norfolk_s_olympic_legacy_1_711622

Facebook Campaign

• Facebook "Save School Sport Partnerships" Page - http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Save-School-Sport-Partnerships/159893774044860 (The page currently has over 16,000 people signed up. Click "Like" to show your support)

Letter to MP's

• On behalf of the eight School Sport Partnerships in Norfolk the Partnership Development Managers (PDM's) have drafted a joint letter which has been sent to our local MP's to express our fears about the impact that the governments decision will have on young people in Norfolk. See the attached letter which I have sent to Norwich South MP Simon Wright (Lib Dem).

 Whilst we hope that the government rethinks their decision to cut the direct funding, we are also working tirelessly to put in place some plans to be able to continue to provide schools and colleges with a level of support for PE and sport after August 2011. We hope to be able to consult with schools/colleges very soon to discuss what support they feel they feel will be their priority in the future and how we can work together to ensure that their pupils continue to receive the PE and sport opportunities that have become the envy of the world. 

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