Today, Rebecca Harris MP welcomed Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism, Heritage and Civil Society, alongside representatives from Castle Point Borough Council and Essex County Council to Waterside Farm Sports Centre.

We know that where a person lives and the environment around them has a huge impact on how likely they are to be physically active. The Sports Minister was there to announce a five-year package worth £250 million of National Lottery and government funding for Sports England into place-based work, with £190m of this focused on additional places which have greatest need, that will include new opportunities for Castle Point. He also took part in a round table discussion with Active Essex about how sport can help tackle loneliness and social inequalities.

After that he had time to visit the main sports hall and speak to some residents taking part in group activities and alongside Rebecca took part in one of the excellent sit-down exercise classes.

Rebecca Harris said: “We are very lucky to have such an excellent sports facility in our Borough. I am pleased that Castle Point will able to greatly benefit from this huge new round of funding from Sports England that will see more people of all ages and backgrounds access sport in our local communities.”

Stuart Andrew MP said: "Our new sports strategy sets out an ambitious aim to get 3.5 million more people active by 2030 and this £250 million investment from Sport England will help make that a reality. This targeted place-based funding gives greater access to quality activities and clubs for people of all ages in areas of the country that need it most. Keeping active is essential for our mental and physical health and wellbeing, so it is crucial we continue to break down barriers for people to stay fit and healthy.”