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.

Newtown High School student and emerging athlete Ollie Jones from Tregynon has launched an online petition against the proposed cuts which has collected 768 signatures within a week.

Jones said: “If these cuts are made it will have a devastating effect on the opportunities children will have to take part in sport within schools in Powys.

“These cuts are being proposed in the same month that the UK Sports Minister is calling for more sport in schools.

“Sport in schools is vital as it helps to tackle the problem of obesity and mental health problems.”

Jones underlined the role Sport Powys has played in his own career.

“Sport Powys has played a huge part in my life,” said Jones. “I have been given the opportunity to take part in all sorts of sports and found out I was quite good at running. Four years later I’m going to be representing Wales in the SIAB Cross Country in Ireland next month.”

Welsh rugby international Dan Lydiate, raised in Abbeycwmhir, also slammed Powys County Council.

“This is a shocking decision,” 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 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 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 coming through the system.”

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

“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.”

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

“I help to run two clubs which ensure 150 children are playing netball,” said Trigg.

“Without the support from 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 vital links will be lost.”

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

“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 is going backwards with every single decision it makes and this has to stop to save our children’s future.”

A statement from Powys County Council read: “Any decision to reduce Sport Powys budgets is not made lightly.

“However, the council will continue to receive funding from Sport Wales and Disability Sport Wales which will enable future delivery of healthy physical activity opportunities to support the well-being and future generations agenda.

“The Sport Powys service is unfortunately not statutory and even statutory services are under extreme pressure to make savings.

“The council is continuing to support and invest in its sports and leisure centres and will be working with the schools, Freedom Leisure and a range of other partners to maximise the resources available.”