Brexit is unlikely to have a detrimental impact on sport, and could even help small businesses in the sector, according to an MP who was recently named grassroots sport champion.

Conservative MP Tom Pursglove, who was recognised by the Sport and Recreation Alliance for his contribution to grassroots sport, told Sports Management that firms in the sport sector should be “really optimistic” about the trade possibilities rather than fear the implementation of tariffs and currency fluctuation.

“I’ve never quite bought into the argument that sport will be adversely affected by our decision to leave [the European Union],” he said.

“For one, there’s a lot of red tape and bureaucracy which gets in the way of our businesses at the moment – particularly small businesses – many of which don’t do any business with the EU but are still bound up by red tape.”

He added that there was “enormous interest” in countries wanting to “sign free trade agreements”, citing Australia and New Zealand.

Pursglove was also confident that professional sport would not be hindered, despite concerns around the status of EU-native sportsmen and coaches living and working in the UK.

“As for elite sport and fears over free movement of people, the government is now in a position where it will enter negotiations over the details of how we will leave the EU,” he said. “I have every confidence that the government will do everything in their powers to deal with any issues potentially affecting sport.”

To read Pursglove’s full interview with Sports Management, click here.