STUDENTS will benefit from more sports activities after school and during holidays thanks to a funding boost, designed to help schools make the most of their facilities.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has announced £2.4 million worth of funding for sports activities, collaboration with sports clubs and teaching, covering schools in 19 areas across England.

The support is part of a national drive to encourage 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Active Cumbria are one of the recipients of the funding, they aim to establish links between secondary schools and sports clubs in the area. The organisation encourages clubs and sports facilities to host competitions and holiday activities. Senior manager at Active Cumbria, Bruce Lawson said: “I’m delighted that Cumbria has been selected to be part of this nationally funded programme.

“Active Cumbria is very much looking forward to working with 13 targeted secondary schools located along our coastal area from Silloth to Barrow.”

Becky Underwood who is leading the Active Cumbria project said: “The conversations we have already started to have with schools have led to ideas and interventions being developed from offering a wider range of activities, better promotion to students and the families about what is available to them as well as specific extra-curricular sessions for their own pupils.”

Funding for schools and sports facilities is in line with plans set out by the government’s Sport and Activity Action Plan which aims to strengthen the role of sport in young people’s lives as well as it’s benefits.