Schools and communities across England will be given pound;26 million in Big Lottery Fund money for 71 new sports projects. The money is the latest chunk of a pound;750 million New Opportunities for PE and Sport programme, announced in 2001. It will help improve existing assets such as pitches and changing rooms, and build new state-of-the-art facilities. Richard Caborn, minister for sport, said: “These new and improved facilities will help us achieve a fitter nation and world-class success. This lottery funding will make a big difference in communities across England.”