Lottery Funding & Olympics

[Alucard]

But it's ok for you to accuse the athletes of not paying back, I acknowledge you've done your bit, but it's wrong to accuse others of not doing theres.

With all due respect its not up to you or anyone else to acknowledge how I choose to live my life or where I choose to go.
All I said that "In my opinion" that the Lottery money for good causes could be spent in better areas and that I believe that many of the Athletes just take out and when they find fame and fortune put nothing back in (except getting on the gravy train as an overpaid commentator at the license payers expense).

That goes on in all walks of sport, Football, and Tennis included but it doesnt make it right.
I have not been funded by the lottery commission so I do not have to justify taking money from good causes to further my bigoted ambitions.

We got 2 more medals than when we were the host nation this time around simply due to the fact that the Russians were not competing at a full level and I would love to see for example Mo fund some grass roots sport in this country that educated and trained him instead of sending money abroad to Somalia for their sport.

You do not have to agree but that is how I feel about things.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

It pains me when Liverpool city council hike up the price to use their pitches for footy teams, when the premiership (and in turn the FA) is so awash with money.

I have seen an awful lot of sports facilities with plaques on stating funded by the National Lottery, FA, ECB. Never by the PL. The PL is most certainly awash with money and they should be pressured into helping in these instances. They may well have a grass roots fund but if they do they hide it very well.

I was in Ashington Rugby / Cricket club at the weekend. Their clubhouse has been extended and kitted out. Really good job. It was paid for by the lottery, ECB and various other bodies. The clubhouse is used by the cricket team, rugby team, an archery club, scouts and possibly others but I lost track. Anyway, it is a proper community facility and it was money well spent in my eyes. Plenty of good examples around the country.

 

[Deleted member 18645]

If it comes down to a choice between spending lottery funding on our athletes or sending a ton of money to other countries for "humanitarian reasons", I am behind the athletes all the way. The good will and euphoric feeling that sports success has brought to this nation alongside promoting the sports for all to take part in, has been evident throughout the country. And yet we carry on throwing money at crooked dictators and tin-pot republics around the world. Charity begins at home and this kind of lottery funding can long continue in my book.

 

[Liverbirdie]

I have seen an awful lot of sports facilities with plaques on stating funded by the National Lottery, FA, ECB. Never by the PL. The PL is most certainly awash with money and they should be pressured into helping in these instances. They may well have a grass roots fund but if they do they hide it very well.

I was in Ashington Rugby / Cricket club at the weekend. Their clubhouse has been extended and kitted out. Really good job. It was paid for by the lottery, ECB and various other bodies. The clubhouse is used by the cricket team, rugby team, an archery club, scouts and possibly others but I lost track. Anyway, it is a proper community facility and it was money well spent in my eyes. Plenty of good examples around the country.

Good to hear that some if it is being done, whether still enough, I don't know.

 

[bluewolf]

Whilst this discussion carries on, I'm going to take the dogs up to have a look around the plot of land that's been donated to our local village sports club. Thankfully, due to lottery funding, we'll be able to build a new clubhouse, with a function room, gym, several football and rugby pitches. A real sporting community hub.

 

[Hacker Khan]

As others have said, it is never such a simple choice of saying if the money didn't help fund our elite athletes it would go into cancer research or more food banks, government funding just does not work like that.

To me the question could be do we continue following our model or possible go back to winning fewer medals but have better public provision of sporting facilities, a bit like France. I play badminton and I remember when we once looked at trying to change venues, but it was very difficult to find courts available at the time we wanted. So if we have a situation where people do get enthused to play badminton after watching the GB men's doubles get a bronze, but there is nowhere withing a 30 mile radius available, then to me the finding could potentially be better used. But if in general the facilities are there is people got off their fat arses and used them, then then keep calm and carry on.

One thing that does amuse me though is that you compare the success we have had in many Olympic sports compared to the lack of national success we have had in football and it becomes clear that money is just one factor. As you need to use it well, and that is where I think team GB should be lauded. We set a hard ambitious target and we have mostly achieved what we set out to do, we are now an Olympic superpower. Which for those of us who grew up in the 70s and 80s would have been unthinkable.

 

[GB72]

This is not having a dig or anything else as I really do not know the answer to this question but is lottery funding means tested. What I mean is that many of the recent Olympic medallists will come back with a far greater media image and will receive all sorts of sponsorship and other such offers which will help fill the coffers. At that stage, is their lottery funding cut to take into account the increased earning potential and moved on to the next up and coming person or does the funding continue irrespective of personal resources.

 

[Hacker Khan]

This is not having a dig or anything else as I really do not know the answer to this question but is lottery funding means tested. What I mean is that many of the recent Olympic medallists will come back with a far greater media image and will receive all sorts of sponsorship and other such offers which will help fill the coffers. At that stage, is their lottery funding cut to take into account the increased earning potential and moved on to the next up and coming person or does the funding continue irrespective of personal resources.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/...chief-says-don-t-forget-punters-paid-all.html

"Certainly, the sums provided by the lottery are Olympian in scale: it has invested £80million a year in supporting 1,300 elite athletes competing in the Olympics in Rio and the Paralympics which begin there on September 7. To date, more than 4,500 elite athletes have benefited from lottery funding.

'It is means-tested, so those athletes like Jessica Ennis-Hill and Mo Farah who have a lot of commercial sponsorship are not paid directly by the lottery like the others, but they still benefit from training facilities, nutritionists, coaches and so on. "

 

[Alucard]

but is lottery funding means tested. What I mean is that many of the recent Olympic medallists will come back with a far greater media image and will receive all sorts of sponsorship and other such offers which will help fill the coffers. At that stage, is their lottery funding cut to take into account the increased earning potential and moved on to the next up and coming person or does the funding continue irrespective of personal resources.

Thats a good question, they have had another 355 million from the lottery since September 2013 and I think that the big names still take funding even though they have sponsors but I do not know the figures. In my opinion not enough lottery money ever gets to grass roots sport in the UK.
It seems to be a smokescreen for the minority of athletes and the governing body on the gravy train, maybe somebody knows the answer.

 

[Oohmeoldbacksknackered]

Are you including or excluding GB from this?

At this stage ignoring it...😉

I'm just wondering where money is on the list of influencing factors.

 

[Oohmeoldbacksknackered]

I think it depends on what the 275 mill goes on.

If 25 mill goes direct to funding the 1-10% of GB participants at the top, but 90% plus goes on facilities that not only the participants can use, but also the local community, then great.

When I have travelled in Scotland, I see lots of investment in little towns and villages with what looks like newish sports facilities, which is good.

However, if most of it is just doled out to help the participants and just spent on their specialist training facilities and programmes, then not used as well.

It pains me when Liverpool city council hike up the price to use their pitches for footy teams, when the premiership (and in turn the FA) is so awash with money.

Definitely a good point.

Is there a breakdown anywhere?

 

[Oohmeoldbacksknackered]

Whilst this discussion carries on, I'm going to take the dogs up to have a look around the plot of land that's been donated to our local village sports club. Thankfully, due to lottery funding, we'll be able to build a new clubhouse, with a function room, gym, several football and rugby pitches. A real sporting community hub.

You just make it all about me,me, me.😋

Only joking, that's exactly where the money should be going.
But more importantly...
Are they going to subsidise the beer. 🤐

 

[Deleted member 16999]

With all due respect its not up to you or anyone else to acknowledge how I choose to live my life or where I choose to go.
All I said that "In my opinion" that the Lottery money for good causes could be spent in better areas and that I believe that many of the Athletes just take out and when they find fame and fortune put nothing back in (except getting on the gravy train as an overpaid commentator at the license payers expense).

That goes on in all walks of sport, Football, and Tennis included but it doesnt make it right.
I have not been funded by the lottery commission so I do not have to justify taking money from good causes to further my bigoted ambitions.

We got 2 more medals than when we were the host nation this time around simply due to the fact that the Russians were not competing at a full level and I would love to see for example Mo fund some grass roots sport in this country that educated and trained him instead of sending money abroad to Somalia for their sport.

You do not have to agree but that is how I feel about things.

Have a read of your initial post and you'll see not once did you say "in my opinion" and as for the dig at Tennis players not giving back you can only mean Andy Murray, again before you give us your entitled opinion you might google Andy Murray Charity Work and you will see he has won awards for his Charity work has local initiatives and annual events for kids to play Tennis in Scotland, the guy has even been recognised by the UN.
As for him appearing in the Olympics, all he received is his team kit, he has not received one penny in funding.

 

[bluewolf]

You just make it all about me,me, me.

Only joking, that's exactly where the money should be going.
But more importantly...
Are they going to subsidise the beer. 蘿

I hope it's going to be subsidised as I'll be one of the volunteers serving it at club functions :thup:

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Thats a good question, they have had another 355 million from the lottery since September 2013 and I think that the big names still take funding even though they have sponsors but I do not know the figures. In my opinion not enough lottery money ever gets to grass roots sport in the UK.
It seems to be a smokescreen for the minority of athletes and the governing body on the gravy train, maybe somebody knows the answer.

Just to tackle a few of the statements that you have made

1. Sports people not giving anything back - most of the Olympians that are funded by National Lottery give their time and services to provide workshops to schools or clubs relevant to their sport - a perfect example is every summer the GB hockey teams go around the country spending a day at clubs to coach and offer advice to mainly school kids - all without appearance fees etc - the swimmers and cyclists also do the same.

2. It's all means tested so any athlete that is able to financially back themselves via sponsership or appearance fees aka Farah and Ennis don't get funding from the lottery

3. The gravy train was stopped a good number of years ago - the money is not wasted on sportsmen and women who just do the bare minimum - it's all very careful worked out

4. Lottery money to grass roots - go to any town around the nation and you will find a sports club or facility that has been built using lottery funding

As for some of the other comments being made

Taking money from the poor to give to the rich ? What an nonsense statement

No money is "taken" from anyone

If people aren't happy with lottery money helping out talented people amongst thousands of other projects then don't buy the lottery

Millions upon millions gets given to charity every single year - the lottery funds both sport and non sport projects all over the country

 

[Alucard]

Have a read of your initial post and you'll see not once did you say "in my opinion" and as for the dig at Tennis players not giving back you can only mean Andy Murray, again before you give us your entitled opinion you might google Andy Murray Charity Work and you will see he has won awards for his Charity work has local initiatives and annual events for kids to play Tennis in Scotland, the guy has even been recognised by the UN.

As for him appearing in the Olympics, all he received is his team kit, he has not received one penny in funding.

It is obviously my opinion because I typed it and it is not for you or anyone else to turn it into a personal thing. You can have your opinion on the thread and I can have mine but where I choose to live has no relevance on anything.

When I said Tennis I meant in general and not Olympics, (in my opinion Pro tennis players should not even be in the Olympics in the first place.

Many professional British Tennis players are funded but are not putting the Effort in they just pose around. Murray and his brother are exceptions to the rule and I like them and I personally have no beef with them so stop assuming things that are not valid.

 

[Alucard]

Just to tackle a few of the statements that you have made

1. Sports people not giving anything back - most of the Olympians that are funded by National Lottery give their time and services to provide workshops to schools or clubs relevant to their sport - a perfect example is every summer the GB hockey teams go around the country spending a day at clubs to coach and offer advice to mainly school kids - all without appearance fees etc - the swimmers and cyclists also do the same.

2. It's all means tested so any athlete that is able to financially back themselves via sponsership or appearance fees aka Farah and Ennis don't get funding from the lottery

3. The gravy train was stopped a good number of years ago - the money is not wasted on sportsmen and women who just do the bare minimum - it's all very careful worked out

4. Lottery money to grass roots - go to any town around the nation and you will find a sports club or facility that has been built using lottery funding

As for some of the other comments being made

Taking money from the poor to give to the rich ? What an nonsense statement

No money is "taken" from anyone

If people aren't happy with lottery money helping out talented people amongst thousands of other projects then don't buy the lottery

Millions upon millions gets given to charity every single year - the lottery funds both sport and non sport projects all over the country

1 many athletes and sportsmen do nothing to help in communities and just take out and nobody said all of them.

2. I will take your word for it that the very so called top britisg athletes do no longer get funding but the funding massively helped to get them where they are today.

3 the Gravy train is the BBC and ITV and SKY etc where in my opinion they are overpaid for comments that most of us can see for ourselves.

4. Not anywhere near enough lottery and taxpayers money goes to grass roots sport and in many areas there are rubbish facilities for the public and they are expensive to use.
The London Olympics cost the taxpayer a fortune and most of the country got nothing out of it and the facilities (Olympic village and Olympic stadium) have been spirited away.
That is how I see it anyway.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

1 many athletes and sportsmen do nothing to help in communities and just take out and nobody said all of them.

Like who exactly ? It's all part of the governing bodies guidelines to give back to the communities - so if you are going to make suggestions and accusations can you name the people that give nothing back

2. I will take your word for it that the very so called top britisg athletes do no longer get funding but the funding massively helped to get them where they are today.

Again it's all part of the means tested guidelines that is set in place to ensure the money goes to the right place. A number of them have never had any funding but use coaches that are part of the elite programme which is funded

3 the Gravy train is the BBC and ITV and SKY etc where in my opinion they are overpaid for comments that most of us can see for ourselves.

Sorry but what does that have to do with lottery funding - the people who provide the analysis are all past top Olympians who have won a great deal in their past and all mainly without any funding

4. Not anywhere near enough lottery and taxpayers money goes to grass roots sport and in many areas there are rubbish facilities for the public and they are expensive to use.
The London Olympics cost the taxpayer a fortune and most of the country got nothing out of it and the facilities (Olympic village and Olympic stadium) have been spirited away.
That is how I see it anyway.

Taxpayers money is a different subject totally and not relevant to the discussion

The lottery over the past 10 years has given over £20 billion to good causes

£35 mil a week is given out

40% to health education , charity etc

20% to sport

20% to heritage

20% to arts

https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/life-changing/where-the-money-goes


How you see it maybe bit wrong

 

[Karl102]

I've not read all the thread, but I know a fair deal about this having been close to UK Sport and the Youth Sports Trust for a while. Best explained here...
Lots of arguments for and against, but here's the link.... Personally I have seen young people aged 11-18 from all walks of life benefit from it. One example is a male runner (from to toxtexth in Liverpool) who would not have been able to finish school, get a job and still train to compete at a national level. He's a cracking lad who aims to be in the next Olympics if everything works out....

http://www.uksport.gov.uk/our-work/investing-in-sport/how-uk-sport-funding-works

 

[Alucard]

Like who exactly ? It's all part of the governing bodies guidelines to give back to the communities - so if you are going to make suggestions and accusations can you name the people that give nothing back




Again it's all part of the means tested guidelines that is set in place to ensure the money goes to the right place. A number of them have never had any funding but use coaches that are part of the elite programme which is funded



Sorry but what does that have to do with lottery funding - the people who provide the analysis are all past top Olympians who have won a great deal in their past and all mainly without any funding


Taxpayers money is a different subject totally and not relevant to the discussion

The lottery over the past 10 years has given over £20 billion to good causes

£35 mil a week is given out

40% to health education , charity etc

20% to sport

20% to heritage

20% to arts

https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/life-changing/where-the-money-goes


How you see it maybe bit wrong

Too many athletes to name that put nothing back and may are pro Tennis players they get around 26 million a year from the lottery and live a comfortable lifestyle with little to no success, The Murrays are and exception and I do not include them.

The lottery money along with Taxpayers money went towards the Building of Olympic Village and Olympic stadium and the former has now been sold of to a Kuwait firm that is using the village as Private rented accommodation and West ham has the Olympic stadium on a peppercorn rent. The Taxpayer is still almost 500 million out of pocket for the Olympic village alone.


I do not see that as a good use of our countrys money when so many are going without and our old and many of our infirm are suffering.
We will just have to agree to disagree as how you see it is a bit wrong.