{"id":48509,"date":"2021-01-29T13:50:41","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T13:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=48509"},"modified":"2021-01-29T13:50:43","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T13:50:43","slug":"welsh-sport-welcomes-pandemic-fund-but-does-it-go-far-enough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2021\/01\/29\/welsh-sport-welcomes-pandemic-fund-but-does-it-go-far-enough\/","title":{"rendered":"Welsh sport welcomes pandemic fund – but does it go far enough?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Leaders react to the Welsh government’s support package to help sports struggling with the absence of fans<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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THE Welsh Government is giving \u00a317.7 million to a Spectator Sports Survival Fund designed to help clubs which have suffered significant losses during the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some sports fans returned to venues in England towards the end of 2020, but all events in Wales have been behind closed doors since last March. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In December, Welsh sport organisations signed a joint open letter to First Minister Mark Drakeford asking for a roadmap to be set out for the return of spectators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas said: “While restrictions on supporters at events have been vital in stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives, there can be no doubt that they have created real hardships for many sports clubs, many of whom receive a significant proportion of their income through spectator attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSport is an important sector of our economy and has a positive impact on our mental and physical wellbeing. Sporting events provide important shared experiences, have often been a welcome distraction during the pandemic and will be a vital player in our recovery and healing after the crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know this money will provide some stability to those sports worst affected by the loss of revenue during the pandemic, helping to bridge the financial gap until spectators are able to return safely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seven sports have been allocated grants by the Welsh Government, and all have expressed their gratitude for the support it will provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rugby Union (\u00a313.5 million)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Rugby Union is receiving considerably more funding than any other sport, but even this will not be enough to cover the Welsh Rugby Union\u2019s losses during the pandemic. The organisation is projected to lose \u00a314 million as a result of the upcoming Six Nations being played behind closed doors, following a \u00a321 million loss suffered during last year\u2019s autumn internationals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u00a313.5 million will be divided equally between the WRU and Cardiff Blues, Scarlets, Ospreys and Dragons (\u00a32.7 million each).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe always anticipated there would be challenges with spectator attendance at the recent Autumn Nations Cup,\u201d said WRU CEO Steve Phillips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHowever, with the ongoing nature of the pandemic, no one is able to predict with any certainty when crowds will be allowed back into stadia, allowing our income streams to return to normal. As such this \u00a313.5m grant is timely and hugely helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Football (\u00a31.5 million)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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