THE tide of opposition against Powys County Council's proposed slashing of its sport budget has snowballed this week.

Powys County Council's cabinet has endorsed a budget which would strike £108k from the Sport Powys budget despite an impact assessment warning of damning repercussions, including worsening health, a decline in tourism and increase in rural poverty.

Welsh and British Lion rugby international Dan Lydiate, raised in Abbeycwmhir, slammed Powys County Council.

"This is a shocking decision by Powys County Council," said Lydiate. "So much young sporting talent will slip through the net now and will not be given the opportunity to reach their sporting potential.

"Not to mention the thousands of people engaged with local sports clubs being let down by their county."

Forden based Welsh and Great Britain marathon international Andrew Davies hit out at Powys County Council.

"I think it’s disgusting," said Davies. "The amount of money Powys County Council has wasted over the years and it has come to this.

"We have an obesity epidemic throughout Wales and this will inevitably have an effect. Health is obviously hugely important for people and I feel more money should be put in rather than taken away."

Welsh and Great Britain shot put star Adele Nicoll also called on Powys County Council not to destroy sport in the county.

The Welshpool star said: "It’s really disappointing that it has come to this.

"Sport Powys helped me a lot when I was beginning my athletics career. Who knows where I would be now without their support.

"Young athletes growing up in Powys are already faced with many obstacles and are fighting against the odds when it comes to making it in their sport due to accessible facilities, coaching and competitions.

"I think Powys has done so well to produce the amount of quality elite athletes that it has done but that is down to helping and nurturing us all as young athletes."

Nicoll warned Powys would no longer be a county of champions if Powys County Council went through with the devastating budget cuts.

"I think we will definitely see a difference in the amount of athletes produced now," said Nicoll. "I know sport isn’t everything to some people, in fact some may consider this a very minor aspect of all the implications caused by funding cuts from the council.

"However, for most, it’s so much more than just sport. This decision will impact on quality of childhood, aspirations, careers and most importantly physical and mental well-being.

"I just hope that the 80 per cent budget cut will now be invested in something just as rewarding."

Lisa Trigg of Newtown Netball Club warned many clubs would die without the support of Sport Powys.

"I help to run two netball clubs which ensure 150 children are playing netball," said Trigg. "Without the support from the three 5x60 officers who organise school tournaments and offering the opportunity for children to join clubs I don’t think our clubs can survive as our links will be lost."

Trigg insisted any budget cuts should be made at a higher level of Powys County Council.

"There is something fundamentally wrong with the report" said Trigg. "It’s not the staff who have knowledge of sports and work with clubs and schools on a daily basis that should be cut.

"Surely it is higher up the Powys County Council scale where cuts should be made. Powys County Council has too many managerial roles, not just in sport but every department.

"Powys County Council is going backwards with every single decision and this has to stop to save our children's future."