Paddle UK has today received details of its funding agreement from UK Sport for its World Class Performance Programmes in preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Games cycle.
In total, it is expected that Paddle UK will receive £16.9 million, split across all three programmes, over the next four years for the next Games cycle.
The UK Sport funding will see:
• £12.55 million allocated to the Olympic Los Angeles 2028 programme
• £4.35 million allocated to the Paralympic Los Angeles 2028 programme.
Ashley Metcalfe, CEO of Paddle UK, said:
“We are delighted that UK Sport will continue to support our World Class Performance Programmes for the next Games cycle.
“We never take it for granted, particularly when money within the country and sector is tighter than ever.
“Our agreement allows us to build on our successful Paris 2024 Games, in which slalom and paracanoe won 12 medals.
“While we have seen a reduction in our Olympic funding, UK Sport has confirmed their faith in our pragmatic approach to change, particularly within our flatwater programmes in Nottingham, to ensure we reach our milestone for LA 2028.
“Thank you for the continual support from the National Lottery players who enable us to continue to strive for our LA ambitions.”
UK Sport has announced £330 million in Government and National Lottery funding, set to benefit more than 50 sports for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games cycle.
The funding package announced today is designed to support sports to be ambitious, innovative and proactive in their approach to winning well in the next cycle and beyond, and critical to supporting Team GB and ParalympicsGB to continue to aspire to a top five medal table position in LA and Brisbane.
This funding package has also been designed to support both sports and athletes in the current financial climate. Sports, as part of their investment for LA, have all been provided with funding aimed at addressing some of the inflationary pressures, with an extra uplift for Paralympic sports in recognition of the unique requirements in the Paralympic environment.
Sally Munday, CEO of UK Sport, said:
“It’s thanks to the unwavering support of the UK Government and our wonderful National Lottery players that we are able to announce this historic investment today, towards continuing to create the greatest decade of extraordinary sporting moments.
“The past few years have been tough for our sports with the delayed Tokyo Games and shortened Paris cycle, and we know finances remain under extreme pressure.
“We have looked to relieve some of this pressure through our investment today, however we know we must continue to innovate and collaborate, together, to grow a thriving sporting system that’s fit for the future.
“Huge credit to the leaders in our sports for all the hard work they’ve done, with us, over the past 18 months to put us in this brilliant position to be able to say we are ready to win well in the LA cycle and beyond.”