South Tyneside bidding for share of £10million football cash - have your say on how it could be spent

The game is being seen as a way of encouraging more people in South Tyneside exercise and South Tyneside Council is seeking funding from a new programme from Sport England called Active Through Football.

The project – funded by the National Lottery and delivered by the Football Foundation – aims to tackle inactivity in people aged over 16 and over.

£10million is available and South Tyneside is one of just 45 local authorities through to full application stage to bid for the funding.

Community engagement is key to any potential funding success and the council wants to know where people want to play and what format of the game they are interested in - disabled football, walking football or small sided games.

Cllr Joan Atkinson, deputy leader with responsibility for leisure and culture, said: “Football is already a hugely popular sport in the North East, but people now have an opportunity to shape the future of the game in South Tyneside.

“As well as improving both physical and mental health, football can also bring people together and strengthen communities.”

She added: “However, it is important that people let us know their views so that more residents can access the activities they want and get involved in a way they enjoy.”

Residents able to share their thoughts on the type of activities they would like to see and help strengthen the council’s application by completing a short survey at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/haveyoursay

The survey closes on April 2.