CCPR asked to review its broadcasting code

Paul Dancey on 26/07/2010

The UK sports minister, Hugh Robertson, has announced that he has asked the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) to review its voluntary broadcasting code in a bid to boost the funding available for community sports.

Under the current CCPR code, national governing bodies agree to reinvest at least 5% of their revenue from broadcast rights in grass-root sport.

The minister however believes that this should be increased, with governing bodies in future agreeing to re-invest a minimum of 30% of their "rights income" in community sports.

Whilst the review will focus on the contribution of NGBs, including the Football Association and the England and Wales Cricket Board, the contribution of other signatories to the CCPR voluntary code, including golf's PGA European Tour and the Premier League, will also be given consideration.

Hugh Robertson said: "I have asked the CCPR to undertake this review as part of my drive to extend the opportunities through sport to the maximum number of people. While 30 per cent may sound ambitious I am optimistic that this can be achieved.

"National governing bodies have a duty to ensure that they have the strongest community structure possible. A thriving grass-roots is only going to help the sport at the top end."

CCPR chief executive Tim Lamb added: "The voluntary code of conduct already ensures that tens of millions of pounds are returned to grass-roots sports each year. That makes possible all kinds of community programmes which wouldn't otherwise happen.

"All signatories reinvest significantly more than 5 per cent, but a potential increase to 30 per cent would provide even more of a cast-iron guarantee for grass-roots sport."

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