Sports minister Nigel Huddleston has told governing bodies that women’s sport must get their fair share of funding from an emergency government bailout.

Individual governing bodies have been submitting calculations of losses and potential redundancies as part of a cross-sector bid but, with some sports having prioritised the return of elite men’s competition, the need to protect women’s sport has been emphasised in discussions. 

“I expect and require women’s sport to get the priority that it deserves,” said Huddleston. “If public money is being distributed, I expect women’s sport to get its fair share. It is absolutely vital that we put a great deal of emphasis on women’s sporting facilities in this country.”

During a parliamentary question and answer session, Huddleston also confirmed that a package of support was being urgently prepared for football’s National League, which is due to begin without supporters this weekend, and promised that a fan-led review of football governance and finances would be a “top priority”.

There is concern, however, within recreational sport at the apparent emphasis on mitigating lost gate receipts among ticketed sports above the ongoing closures of community clubs, leisure centres, gyms and swimming pools.

Huddleston stressed the “pivotal role” of such facilities in the mental and physical health of constituents, but there has been no obvious progress on a request made back in July from the community leisure sector for £800 million to keep facilities viable until at least March.

The sports sector has already lost around 10,000 jobs and there are fears over as many as 300,000 largely paid roles without urgent assistance. Losses are not just confined to the absence of fans, but also the shutdown of the facilities from March to July, the ongoing restrictions on returning which, for some indoor team sports remain insurmountable, as well as the loss of volunteers, membership subscriptions and fundraising events. 

Former sports minister Tracey Crouch said that there were “fires raging” across the sector. “The Government’s support needs to go to those in most need,” said Huddleston. “The purpose of the financial support is to help those who are most impacted by the October 1 decision [to prevent crowds] and that will drive the criteria. This goes way beyond football.”