SportsAid

Deloitte

Deloitte initiative committing up to £1.7million to support disability sports in the UK

Business advisory firm Deloitte has committed up to £1.7 million to support and develop disability sports in the UK between now and 2012.

Deloitte’s programme will improve how talented sports people at community level are identified and supported, with the aim of increasing participation levels in competitive sporting events. The funding will provide individual bursaries to talented and high-potential athletes, through a partnership with SportsAid, and establish a new Disability Sports Institute, run by the British Paralympic Association (BPA).

Deloitte Chief Executive and Senior Partner John Connolly commented: “We have a strong tradition of supporting community endeavour and nurturing top talent. As part of Deloitte’s continuing commitment to work in the community, we wanted a partnership that reflected the enthusiasm of our people for sport and high achievement, and also supported skills and commitment to sport at a grass roots level.

“In talking to the BPA, we realised that disability sport can benefit hugely from Deloitte’s support. Our programme has the potential to transform the experience of disabled people playing sport, encouraging them to participate competitively and, we believe, helping to build the talent stream for future national and international honours.

“There are two parts to the Deloitte Disability Sport Programme. First, we are establishing a Disability Sport Institute which will be run by the BPA. This will be a virtual, on-line facility, helping people with disabilities to find the right sport for them, where to participate, and providing support and advice on playing competitively. The Deloitte Disability Sport Institute will build a bigger community of active competitors in disability sport across all disciplines, an important pipeline to find the champions of the future.

“As top talent starts to emerge, we appreciate that there are financial hurdles for disabled people who have the potential for exceptional performance but who need a helping hand at the start of their sporting careers. Our sponsorship for individual athletes will double the scope of the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and the TASS 2012 scheme, specifically for people with disabilities. TASS is an inspired, Government-funded initiative to support emerging young sporting talent, available to disabled athletes between the ages of 16-35, and we are delighted to extend TASS to reach 400-500 athletes to progress to world class performance. With Deloitte’s commitment we will see an investment of over £2 million being dedicated to disabled sportsmen and women through TASS in the next six years.”

Phil Lane, Chief Executive of the BPA said: “At grass roots level there is a need to create opportunities for those embarking on their first steps to sporting achievement, we also need to help those with talent who want to progress to a higher level of performance. Deloitte’s investment will enable us to do just that.

“Corporate support is a key element in the ongoing success of the British Paralympic movement. With increasing challenges from around the world, it is essential we find new and innovative ways to support young and emerging talent and having a city firm like Deloitte involved at this level is hugely important.”

Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said:

“I am delighted that Deloitte has shown such vision in wanting to support disability sports. This is an excellent programme and represents a genuine step towards the transformation of support for disability sport in this country.

“I am looking at ways we can deliver the best for our Paralympians when they compete in London in 2012, and I will be talking to my ministerial counterpart and the Beijing Organising Committee about how we can really raise the profile of the Paralympics Games. I believe we have a responsibility to lead the way in promoting sport for disabled people, and this announcement by Deloitte only strengthens that.

“I really do think that it will not be long before every child in this country will have the opportunity to participate in sport, whatever their level of ability or disability, and take their talent to wherever it may lead them.”

Tim Lawler, Chief Executive of SportsAid said: “Deloitte’s commitment is timely, hugely significant and hopefully an early catalyst for more private sector support of emerging British sporting talent. We’re on a six year countdown to the most significant sporting event on home soil for several lifetimes and our young sportsmen and women need this kind of support. It’s a tremendous step.”