Local sports facilities needed to help Games participation

During a debate in Parliament on the Olympic Games 2012, Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin asked Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media amp; Sport, to remember the role local facilities could play in ensuring that Britain is well represented at the Games.

Mr Dobbin asked: "Is my Right Honourable Friend aware that I have a new deal for communities in my constituency called 'New Heart for Heywood', which is part-funding a new sports village complex? I know that she has both eyes on the Olympic games at present, but could she move one of them towards Heywood to keep up to date with progress on that development, whereby my local young people may well play a part in the Olympic Games in 2012?

Ms Jowell replied: "My Honourable Friend is absolutely right. Clearly, our participation ambitions for young people will be met only if they are playing sport in modern facilities. Every Member of the House should be an advocate of that in their communities, as is my Honourable Friend, whom I congratulate."

West Heywood Councillor Colin Lambert said: "I must congratulate Jim Dobbin MP for raising the Heywood proposals with the Minister. Heywood Township in partnership with Heywood New Deal Communities (NDC) has an adventurous bid to develop a Sports Culture and Leisure Village that itself will leave a long term legacy to Heywood residents. This fits in with the Olympic legacy and I hope this national focus will put Heywood young people in the starting blocks for the race to the Olympics."