Andy Reed (Loughborough, Labour)

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress she has made in promoting volunteering opportunities associated with the London 2012 Olympics in sports clubs; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith (Minister of State (Third Sector), Cabinet Office; Basildon, Labour)

The London 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games present a huge opportunity to boost both volunteering and participation in sport.

The Government have set a target to get two million more people more active by 2012-13, one million through sport, which will be delivered by Sport England. In addition, Sport England aims to increase volunteering in sport through their strategy for 2008-11 and a new volunteering centre of excellence team. This team is working with national governing bodies to ensure that sports clubs are provided with the skills, capacity and resources to develop their volunteering and to maximise their enthusiasm for London 2012.

Sport England is also working with Volunteering England and Youthnet on the development of the Cabinet Office funded "Inspiration and Legacy from the 2012 Games" project. The project, launched in May 2009, aims to encourage volunteering as part of the legacy of the 2012 games. It will direct individuals inspired to volunteer by the 2012 games to volunteering opportunities in sports, including sports clubs, culture and the environment.