Community sports groups can apply for cash from new £40m fund

Published 15 Jan 2013 13:30 1 Comment

Local projects to get more people playing sport are being invited to bid to a new £40 million Sport England fund.

National Lottery funding will be invested through the Community Sport Activation Fund to support grassroots activity right across the country. It is part of Sport England's strategy to deliver a lasting sporting legacy from last year's successful Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The fund will build on previous funding campaigns, which have shown that the key to success is finding out what people want from sport - and what's stopping them from getting involved - before designing an offer that's appealing, accessible and secures their long-term involvement.

Sport England's Chief Executive, Jennie Price, launched the fund today (Jan 15). She said: "We want to hear from sports groups across the country that have innovative ideas to get more people involved in sport. This fund will help us to build on the momentum of last year's Games, by showing that sport has something for everyone, wherever you live and whatever interests you."

Minister for Sport and Tourism Hugh Robertson said: "This £40 million fund will help further strengthen the sports legacy from London 2012. I encourage clubs, councils and sports groups across the country to put bids in and help increase the sporting opportunities for people in their local areas. We have already seen more people participating in sport since the Games and we want grassroots sport to continue to grow."

Sport England will invest around £12.5 million in the first two rounds of the Community Sport Activation Fund, with more funding available in 2014 and 2015. First round bids will be accepted until February 4 and will support a small number of strong projects that can be up-and-running by the start of June.

Community groups, charities and councils are among those that can bid for funding for up to three years, with grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 on offer for a wide range of projects from family-friendly activities to multi-sport sessions.

Successful projects bidding to this fund will demonstrate:

- A focus on a defined geographical area and community

- Understanding of what local people want from sport with ambitious but realistic plans to get more people involved

- Strong local partnerships, including other funding sources.

Find full details of the fund at www.sportengland.org/funding

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This article appeared in Bracknell News 15 Jan 13

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  AfterParty
  Unregistered User
  Jan 15, 21:15
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  Wouldn't these monies be better spent on the needy or disabled? Rather than jollies. On a similar note I think I'll apply for disability benefit shortly as I'm white and indigenous which clearly puts me at a disadvantage finding work in the Reading area...
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 0

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