Contact: Danielle Anthony
Deloitte
PR Manager
+ 44 (0) 207 303 3861
Business advisory firm Deloitte today announced plans to commit up to £1.7 million to support and develop disability sports in the UK between now and 2012.
Deloitte’s programme will improve how talented sports people at community level are identified and supported, with the aim of increasing participation levels in competitive sporting events. The funding will provide individual bursaries to talented and high-potential athletes, through a partnership with SportsAid, and establish a new Disability Sports Institute, run by the British Paralympic Association (BPA).
Deloitte Chief Executive and Senior Partner John Connolly commented: “We have a strong tradition of supporting community endeavour and nurturing top talent. As part of Deloitte's continuing commitment to work in the community, we wanted a partnership that reflected the enthusiasm of our people for sport and high achievement, and also supported skills and commitment to sport at a grass roots level.
“In talking to the BPA, we realised that disability sport can benefit hugely from Deloitte’s support. Our programme has the potential to transform the experience of disabled people playing sport, encouraging them to participate competitively and, we believe, helping to build the talent stream for future national and international honours.
“There are two parts to the Deloitte Disability Sport Programme. First, we are establishing a Disability Sport Institute which will be run by the BPA. This will be a virtual, on-line facility, helping people with disabilities to find the right sport for them, where to participate, and providing support and advice on playing competitively. The Deloitte Disability Sport Institute will build a bigger community of active competitors in disability sport across all disciplines, an important pipeline to find the champions of the future.
“As top talent starts to emerge, we appreciate that there are financial hurdles for disabled people who have the potential for exceptional performance but who need a helping hand at the start of their sporting careers. Our sponsorship for individual athletes will double the scope of the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and the TASS 2012 scheme, specifically for people with disabilities. TASS is an inspired, Government-funded initiative to support emerging young sporting talent, available to disabled athletes between the ages of 16-35, and we are delighted to extend TASS to reach 400-500 athletes to progress to world class performance. With Deloitte’s commitment we will see an investment of over £2 million being dedicated to disabled sportsmen and women through TASS in the next six years.”
Phil Lane, Chief Executive of the BPA said: “At grass roots level there is a need to create opportunities for those embarking on their first steps to sporting achievement, we also need to help those with talent who want to progress to a higher level of performance. Deloitte’s investment will enable us to do just that.
“Corporate support is a key element in the ongoing success of the British Paralympic movement. With increasing challenges from around the world, it is essential we find new and innovative ways to support young and emerging talent and having a city firm like Deloitte involved at this level is hugely important.”
Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said:
I am delighted that Deloitte has shown such vision in wanting to support disability sports. This is an excellent programme and represents a genuine step towards the transformation of support for disability sport in this country.
“I was recently in China looking at ways to deliver the best for our Paralympians when they compete in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012, and I talked to my ministerial counterpart and the Beijing Organising Committee about how we can really raise the profile of the Paralympic Games. I believe we have a responsibility to lead the way in promoting sport for disabled people, and this announcement by Deloitte only strengthens that.
“I really do think that it will not be long before every child in this country will have the opportunity to participate in sport, whatever their level of ability or disability, and take their talent to wherever it may lead them.”
Tim Lawler, Chief Executive of SportsAid said: “Deloitte’s commitment is timely, hugely significant and hopefully an early catalyst for more private sector support of emerging British sporting talent. We’re on a six year countdown to the most significant sporting event on home soil for several lifetimes and our young sportsmen and women need this kind of support. It’s a tremendous step.”
To register interest please visit: www.paralympics.org.uk/DisabilitySportInstitute.
Notes to editors
Scholarships will be made through the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS). As Disability Sport Partner, Deloitte’s support will help more athletes to progress to higher levels of performance, building the TASS and TASS 2012 disability component to see more 16 – 35 year old emerging talented athletes, financially and practically to achieve high performance in their chosen sport.
The Disability Sport Institute will be delivered for Deloitte by the British Paralympic Association, and aimed at meeting the BPA’s strategic objectives for improving the pipeline for future talent.
SportsAid is a registered charity (no 1111612) and has been helping talented young British sportsmen and women since 1976, in that time distributing just over £20 million. SportsAid is currently at the heart of the Government-backed Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), distributing the funding for TASS athletes on behalf of the scheme. Visit www.sportsaid.org.uk for further information.
The added investment in TASS will also underpin the £29 million already being invested by UK Sport in World Class Paralympic athletes for Beijing 2008, as they seek to repeat the success of Sydney and Athens.
About Deloitte
In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte & Touche LLP which is among the country’s leading professional services firms, providing audit, tax, consulting and corporate finance services. Known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programmes, it is dedicated to helping its clients and people excel. Deloitte & Touche LLP is the United Kingdom member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (‘DTT’), a Swiss Verein whose member firms are separate and independent legal entities. Neither DTT nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other’s omissions. Services are provided by member firms or their subsidiaries and not by DTT. Deloitte & Touche LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.
Deloitte & Touche LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.
For further information on TASS Disability Sport and SportsAid contact:
Hester Brierley, Media Manager, SportsAid
Tel: +44 (0)7866 495872
Email: hester@sportsaid.org.uk
