Henley’s MP, John Howell, has written to the General Manager of Leander Club congratulating both those members of the club who did so well in the Olympics and the club itself for the support it gave them.

He said:

“I offer my best wishes and congratulations to all those who took part in the games.  I know they will have provided considerable inspiration for other rowers and for us all generally.  It is a matter of great pride that seven of the team come from the Henley constituency.

“But I also wish to congratulate all those, including the club itself, who nurtured and supported them and without which such successes would not be possible.”

The MP’s congratulations follow announcements from the shadow front bench Culture, Media and Sport team of reforms which could generate an extra £58 million a year for elite and grassroots sport.

The reforms are designed to get more young people involved in sport as the foundation of future sporting success, and would include:

·        returning the National Lottery to its original four pillars of sport, the arts, heritage and charities, so that sport receives a greater share of lottery funding;

·        seeking Camelot's agreement on a new taxation regime based on ticket sales, in order to increase returns to sports and other good causes;

·        maintaining the current split between UK Sport and Sport England so that grassroots sports and elite athletes receive more money.