I think we all expected cuts, but the increase to football funding is unnecessary and the increase for cycling is disproportionate.

What galls me is that there are now NO development officers in the South West as a result of these cuts which seems counter productive in the World Cup year when there is a game being played in Bristol - ideal opportunity to get young 'uns interested and playing the game. Significant reduction in officers in other outlying areas but still a huge concentration in the heartlands where, IMHO, there is a degree of preaching to the converted.

Rugby League, Rugby Union and Tennis have all had their funding cut because the plans put forward for increasing participation were seen to be flawed and did not stand up to close inspection.
The RL have relied on grant money and failed to attract commercial interest in the game. The RL need to employ people who can sell the game to blue chip big business and not rely 100% on Government hand outs. As we speak those in charge of our game have failed to find a sponser for the CC or SL.

According to yesterday's league express thy actually had provident financial lined up to sponsor Challenge cup. But they dithered so much that Bradford stepped in and took the sponsorship on offer instead.

the rfu sponsor morley youth development to the tune of about 80k a year..how much do the rfl spend on youth development to amateur clubs?

With regard to the large amount of money that goes into soccer ,most of that money is needed to finance the extravagant lifestyles of the players.How many of them would be willing to forgo their Ferraris ,to provide finance for the lower levels of the game?.

Tbf, the government funding does go to the "grassroots" in football and is not given to the top overpaid players (who fall over holding their faces because someone has breathed onthe player next to them ).
It is extremely disappointing though, with a home world cup on the near horizon, talk about missing an opportunity.