Inclusivity and accessibility: Commonwealth Games legacy for West Midlands' communities
The chief executive of Sport England wants this to be the "beginning of new opportunities" to play sport and get active.
"We've learnt some important lessons from London 2012, that we can apply to Birmingham, and make sure that the effect is not only felt now, but into the future," Tim Hollingsworth said.
As athletes and officials leave the city, following Team England's most successful home Commonwealth Games ever, focus turns to the legacy of the incredible event the region hosted.
For Sport England, the aim is to help more people in communities across the West Midlands to play sport and get active.
The organisation has invested £35 million of combined National Lottery and government funding into facilities and programmes across the region, which will benefit communities long after the bunting and flags come down.
"It’s the end of the 2022 Commonwealth Games – but the beginning of new opportunities to play sport and get active," said Tim.
"The Games have given us a wonderful platform to create lasting impact at community level across the country by bringing us together through sport, community and friendship."
"We didn't perhaps, 10 years ago, understand that to get it right over the long-term, you need programmes that can run for the long-term. And that's what we're seeking to do more in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
"We need to genuinely recognise the capacity of local organisations, people who understand the communities and understand how activity can work in an accessible and safe way. Those are things we are investing in now so that they can work over the long term and build an activity habit that sticks."
"One of sport's mistakes, is one of its strengths"
The 2022 Games made history as the first major multi-sport event to ever award more medals to women than men, and the Commonwealth Games continue to lead the way in presenting an integrated programme of both para sport and non-para sport.
It’s this intention to tackle inequalities and offer sporting opportunities for all, that Sport England's investment wants to continue at a grassroots level, both in the West Midlands and nationally.
Tim continued: "One of sport's mistakes is one of its strengths - that when it works well, it works really, really well. But then it excludes, because if it doesn't work in a certain way, then it excludes and people think 'well that's not for me'".
"I think we've learnt through this legacy that you can make it more inclusive for everyone, if you say we'll meet you where you're at.
"Tell us what you want, tell us how you to do it and we'll work together with people in your community to make that happen."
Sport England's total investment has gone into local legacy, talent, venues and facilities, children and young people and national governing bodies (NGBs) – all with the goal of providing easier access to physical activity opportunities for those that need it most.