SIV welcomes UK Sport funding announcement

2nd July 2014

SIV has today (26 June) welcomed the announcement by UK Sport that more than £31 million is to be invested into winter sports over the next four years.

The announcement from UK Sport revealed the investment across eight winter sports ahead of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the total more than double the investment before the Sochi Games of just over £14 million. Sports to receive the funding, which will be granted over a four year period, include curling, which has been awarded £5,389,450, figure skating, which will receive £1,699,940 and short track speed skating, which has secured £4,350,600. SIV manages iceSheffield, a state-of-the-art ice arena which has two Olympic size ice rinks with seating for more than 1,500 people and hosts international sporting events, ice sports, ice shows and family entertainment events. Lorenzo Clark, director of operations at SIV, said: -We welcome the news of the significant investment into winter sports because it serves as positive recognition to the commitment that the sports' programmes have made in driving the development of world class athletes. -Here in Sheffield, we have seen facilities such as iceSheffield created to support elite winter sports programmes, and funding of this magnitude will allow these sports to build on their foundations and deliver more successes going forward. -At SIV, we will look to continue the positive work we do with the winter sports governing bodies, such as the National Ice Skating Association (NISA), to develop iceSheffield as a potential performance centre for various sports to perform at the top level. As a not-for-profit organisation SIV, which is part of the local charity the Sheffield City Trust (SCT), is committed to reinvesting back into programmes and facilities in the city, including offering winter sports to the masses. Lorenzo added: -Highlighting the commitment from UK Sport to winter sports such as figure skating, short track speed skating and curling will serve to increase participation and allow the next generation of sporting stars to come through the ranks, as well inspire the current top athletes towards achieving their medal potentials. SIV offers a variety of winter sports at iceSheffield. The venue the only ice rink in the North of England to offer curling and since Sochi 2014, the facility has been inundated with people keen to try out the sport on a pay-as-you-play basis and for corporate teambuilding and group sessions. iceSheffield is also home to the Learn to Skate scheme, developed by NISA, which allows people of all ages and abilities to follow six-week ice skating programme that teaches movement and basic iskating skills . The venue also runs a six week short track speed skating course, which is open to skaters of all ages covering all aspects of the sport. For more information about iceSheffield visit www.icesheffield.com.