Hertfordshire MPs, Mike Penning and David Gauke, attended an event at Westminster yesterday to highlighting the CCPR's 'Subs for Clubs' campaign to support sports clubs.

Ex-Watford football legend John Barnes joined Mike and David at the event, which highlighted a campaign to provide more tax relief for sports clubs that offer sporting activities for children.

David Gauke MP said: “Sport and recreation clubs are a vital part of our social fabric. There are dozens of clubs in Hertfordshire that do a fantastic job providing sports facilities for children. Many of them are run by volunteers who put in a lot of time and effort to give our kids the chance to take part in sports.”

Mike Penning MP said: “Sports clubs deserve more support, and providing tax relief on junior subscriptions is a great way of giving them that. I hope the Government will look very closely at expanding the Gift Aid scheme to help children’s sports. It can make all the difference in boosting sports participation by children in the run up to the 2012 Games.”

CCPR is calling on the Government to enhance the benefits of the Community Amateur Sports Club Scheme which over 4,450 clubs have already signed up to. Clubs offering activities popular amongst children, such as swimming, gymnastics and netball, have been the slowest to join the scheme which is why CCPR believes the introduction of Gift Aid on junior subscriptions would be of significant benefit to all sports clubs.

Guest of honour, John Barnes, said:

“Sport should always be high up the political agenda. I know from my experience as a player, as a coach and as an ambassador for Access Sport, the power that sport has to unite communities, to build confidence, to teach new skills and to help people get fit and healthy. The support of local MPs is a vital part of that work and this event showed just how strong that support is.

“The CASC scheme is one of the best ways for clubs to save money. I know how important even small amounts of extra cash can be for clubs. The more clubs sign up to the scheme the more money there will be in sport and, hopefully, this event will raise awareness of that.

“This campaign is about getting kids active and healthy and about recognising the amazing work that amateur sports clubs do around the country.”

Brigid Simmonds, Chair of CCPR, said:

“At CCPR we are working hard to develop sport and recreation across the UK and this was a great occasion to explore with MPs how we could work together to improve sporting opportunities in local communities and clubs. We’re delighted that Mike and David are backing our campaign.”

Photo: Mike Penning with John Barnes and SW Herts MP, David Gauke highlighting CCPR's 'Subs for Clubs' campaign.