London 2012 Olympics: Games fails to provide benefit to sports clubs

A key body of sports clubs around the country has called on the Government to implement small, immediate tax breaks because the impact of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has failed to filter down to the grass roots.

While sports clubs around the country should be harnessing the drive and inspiration of a home Olympic Games, a recent survey shows the opposite is true, with the vast majority of sports clubs not realising any kind of Games opportunity, let alone one to expand and nurture a new generation of sporting youth.

Survey results of 2000 sports clubs conducted by the Sport and Recreation Alliance shows a surprising 84 per cent of clubs do not expect any benefit from London hosting the Games. It appears that only a small pocket of clubs, some of which are based in London and receiving some of the Mayor of London's £15 million sporting facilities and sports participation grants, are realising any Olympic Games-related benefits.

Chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, Tim Lamb, said that "the results do not come as a surprise" and grass roots sports officials say the reason is simple: a distinct lack of volunteers and the lack of a lasting legacy from many of the temporary, and some of the permanent Games venues.

"We are disappointed that 84 per cent of clubs do not see the Olympic and Paralympic Games as an opportunity," Lamb said.

"However, this does not come as a surprise. We've been highlighting just how vital legacy is to the future of sports clubs. Despite this discouraging news, the Alliance is focusing on practical ways to help clubs."

Lamb said the Government should allow community amateur sports clubs the ability to claim Gift Aid on the subscriptions paid to them by junior members. He said this would be a simple way to keep money in community sport, was cheap and put sports clubs on a par with other organisations.

"This is a simple change, which would keep money in community sport without costing much," he said.

"It could save hundreds of clubs from the risk of closure and enable the country to build a sporting legacy."

Graham Hall, an athletics coach at the New Marske Harriers athletics club in Cleveland, said his club had a good base of 250 members but was struggling to attract volunteers to coach and take on administrative tasks. He said the club had a core group of 10 volunteers, with another 20 available to help host events but this was "the thin blue line".

"At this stage we have discussed putting new members on a waiting list unless they can bring a parent along to help," Hall said.

He said the problem wasn't so much the inspiration of the Olympics – which had resulted in the members training harder and being motivated by the Games – but rather attracting people to help with the monitoring, checks and administration.

"What we are doing (volunteering) to get away from work suddenly looks a lot like work," he said, referring to Key Performance Indicators required with grant monies.

Neal Underwood, the chairman of the Sharks Canoe club in Middlesex said the club had no direct benefits from the Games and didn't expect any. He said the permanent whitewater facility at Lea Valley was to turn into a tourism attraction after the Games with rental rates so high (£400 an hour) that it was prohibitive for training youngsters.

"The Olympic money is generating around the elite athletes but it doesn't filter down to the youngsters or to help the youngsters, it seems that there is no strategic overall plan that links the elite and grass roots," he said.