Youngsters getting involved in Olympic sports

ALMOST 40,000 youngsters are taking part in four sports that will feature at this year’s Olympics, as a result of an initiative launched in 2009.

Premier League 4 Sport (PL4S) has exceeded its initial target of involving 25,000 newcomers to the sport by more than 50 per cent and has provided 39,327 youngsters with the chance to sample badminton, judo, table tennis and volleyball.

The initiative has contributed 25 per cent of the overall increase in participation in badminton, judo, table tennis and volleyball at a time when numbers actively involved in sport are decereasing.

The venture is a joint one between the Premier League, Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust and will receive an extra £2million of funding from the Premier League because of its success.

Basketball, handball, hockey and netball will also be added to the sports available.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: “What we have shown through PL4S is that participation through football works.

“That is why we are committing another £2million over the next two years and rolling it out to four more sports.”