Last night the Board met with representatives of Sport England and UK Sport to discuss the new funding awards, for 2013 -17.  In total there is new provision of £4.7m for our 3G strategy, which is a significant increase on the last four year cycle and an achievement at a time when many sports face reductions in their funding support. The Board was also encouraged to be told that further funding is potentially available if we are successful.  We have to show, in 2013-14, that our new plans can be delivered effectively. 

In brief, our Sport England programmes will concentrate upon getting more young people (14-25) into fencing and developing a new Talent Pathway.  The UK Sport funding is for further development of our world class programme (including a new training centre) and specifically for supporting twelve podium potential athletes for 2016 and 2020.  British Fencing is one of just two sports to be moved from “basic” to “full” funding. 

The Board welcomes these awards and has accepted the terms and conditions, which also commit us to developing our “Green” agenda for transparent and effective governance. With both UKS and SE, there is urgent planning work to do and we will announce more details as soon as they are agreed.