The Department for Education revealed it is axing its £162 million investment in school sport from next year, which includes funding for a network of School Sport Partnerships across the country.

Lewis, along with a number of fellow high profile Youth Sport Trust Ambassadors, has slammed the move claiming it could have a hugely detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of the nation's young people.

The 38-year-old mother of three said: "From the very young at primary level, right through to those who are in their last years at school, we must do all we can to ensure young people get the very best opportunities to take part in sport at school.

"The School Sport Partnership network is a vitally important structure we have in place to deliver this and it is producing some fantastic results that must continue."

Jason Gardener, who won gold in the 4x100 metres relay at the Athens 2004 Olympics, expressed equal concern as he said: "Over the last 10 years we have seen such vast improvements in the standards of sport within our schools.

"There's increased numbers of young people taking part in sport, more young people competing in sport, and more taking on leadership and volunteering roles.

"It is critical there is funding that can continue to sustain this progress."

The 450 School Sport Partnerships are responsible for delivering sport and are tasked with raising levels of participation across every school in England.

"They have provided millions of hours of coaching, created thousands of new links between schools and clubs and introduced over a million more young people to competitive sport over the last three years."

Darren Campbell, who won Olympic gold alongside Gardner as part of the victorious 4x100m relay team in Athens, said: "I regularly visit schools and see the most talented children now getting the support they need to develop their skills to be future champions.

"I see some of the most troubled teenagers having their lives transformed though sport, and I see the positive impact sport is having not just in PE but across the school curriculum.

"To cut funding now when such incredible results are being achieved is beyond belief."



Badminton Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms (pictured) said: "With London 2012 just around the corner and a chance to develop a real, lasting sporting legacy, I find this funding cut extremely difficult to comprehend.

"The network of School Sport Partnerships is successfully delivering sport and inspiring our next generation of Olympians and Paralympians - to pull the rug from under them now and axe the funding is mind blowing."

Multiple Paralympic gold medallist swimmer Sascha Kindred said the funding cuts could also cause huge problems for youngsters inspired by disability sport.

He said: "When I speak to young people about my Paralympic experiences you can see the excitement in their faces and enthusiasm they have towards sport.

"What we have in place is a school sport network that is allowing them to try new sports, develop through sport and support them to be the best they can be.

"Take this network away and there's a significant risk of these opportunities being lost."

Joe Glanfield, who won an Olympic silver medal in sailing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, also believes the School Sport Partnership network is crucial, saying: "Many young people I meet during school visits have gained new confidence and self belief through the power of sport.

"This is happening in hundreds of schools across the country affecting millions of children.

"It is very concerning that the cuts to funding will hit the development of young people in such a devastating way."

Contact the writer of this story [email protected]


Related stories
October 2010: Exclusive - Sport had a "good settlement" thanks to Lottery funding boost, says Robertson
October 2010: Mike Rowbottom - Tree distressed by Gove's root and branch cuts
October 2010: Budget cuts "devastating news" for school sport says Trust chief
October 2010: British sport braced for tough times following budget cuts
October 2010: Osborne's £800 million hammer blow as sport suffers the brunt of spending cuts