9 UK Governing Bodies Agree Grassroots Reinvestment

December 22, 2010

The Premier League and Football Association (FA) are two of a group of 9 of the UK’s leading sporting governing bodies to have signed a voluntary code to reinvest in grassroots projects using at least 30 per cent of domestic television revenues.

The sum includes six of the most popular sports in the UK and is a massive increase on the initial target of 5 per cent per annum, amounting to £250m (US$386.5m) a year.

“This is an important statement of their intent to invest in the future,” said Sports Minister Hugh Robertson. “I welcome this commitment and could not support it more strongly.”

The idea for the implementation of the code came from the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA), formerly the Central Council of Physical Recreation, an umbrella organisation that represents 320 national bodies for sport and recreation in the UK. The plans were first introduced two years ago after pressure was placed on the leading sports to ensure that their events remained on free-to-air television.

Tim Lamb, the SRA’s chief executive, said: “Striking the right balance between audience reach, revenue generation and grassroots investment is a matter for the governing bodies themselves to determine. The code is there to show everyone the responsible approach governing bodies take to finding that balance.”

The nine organisations to sign up are: the All England Lawn Tennis Club/Lawn Tennis Association (joint signatories), the ECB, the PGA European Tour, the FA, the Premier League, the Royal & Ancient, the Rugby Football League and UK Athletics. This means that the only leading governing body not to sign the agreement are the Rugby Football Union (RFU).