HEAD teachers in Harlow can apply to the local education authority for a share of more than £9m of New Opportunities Fund money to be spent on school sports.o

The money will be used to build new sports facilities or refurbish existing sites, and open them to the wider community.

Harlow MP Bill Rammell said: "This is great news for school sports across the country and local schools stand to benefit from a share in this substantial new money.

"Involvement in sports begins in schools, whether that's developing a world champion for the future, or simply encouraging our kids to live a healthier and active life and just enjoy sports.

"This money will mean our kids' PE lessons will be based in better facilities and this will encourage more of them to get involved. The great advantage of this investment is that it will also enable the school facilities to be used by local people.

"The provision of top quality sport and leisure facilities is critical to Harlow's future. It's crucial to the town's regeneration. By providing these facilities it will make life for residents more enjoyable, it will make the town a more attractive place to live and work, and it will open up new sporting opportunities for the next generation."

December 10, 2001 15:15