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.

In the pre-Olympic chatter, I said that it's possible to buy a gold medal; British Cycling has proven that to be true and they'll continue to get funding as long as they're winning things. Personally, I think it's a great sport to give public money to, as increased participation in cycling, even on a recreational level, has great benefits to society in general - it improves health and fitness, is environmentally sound and hopefully, will increase awareness to the point where cycling does not necessarily mean taking your life in your hands.

I'm not sure what the reduction in funding will mean to grassroots RL yet - as a club, we haven't seen a penny of grant funding and the last application I completed was rejected on the grounds that funding was being targeted at adult participation; I think you're right though, in that Development Officers will be an easy target for cost savings, which is a shame. Maybe the pro clubs will be expected to pick up some of that slack and show an interest in their local grassroots clubs beyond cherrypicking players as they near their 15th birthday?

but in total all funding has risen by over £103m

I do sound bitter but I see professional football clubs clawing in money like they do with us mortals scratching and saving to earn a few pounds it just peeves me off



well I'm off to earn some crusts for the family

Rally round everyone , its just the continuing , predictable , ongoing war of attrition against our great game by the establishment.
WE SHALL NEVER SURRENDER.

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.