Sports funding for schools is more vital than ever, as education providers work hard to encourage children to be fit and active, as well as interested in academic learning.
In addition, sports clubs play a vital part in providing the chance for people of all ages to become more active in communities where inactivity is an issue. But often funding is in short supply.
After the 2012 Olympics was held in London, the UK government launched several funding opportunities which would allow the Olympic legacy to carry on in schools and sports clubs, with the intention of helping to create a healthier society, greater sporting success and closer communities.
Importance of investing in sports equipment
Sports funding is vital for schools and clubs which otherwise may not have the capacity to develop and improve their sports facilities.
In turn, this type of investment should provide greater encouragement for children to become more active and, as a result, help to tackle the problem of obesity which has affected more youngsters than ever before.
Childhood obesity has received a lot of worrying press in recent years, however the severity of the issue becomes more apparent when we hear global bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), claim that childhood obesity is one of the most serious global public health challenges for the 21st century.
According to the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) just over 19 per cent of children aged 10-11 are obese, with a further 14 per cent classed as overweight – a result which on its own is worrying enough.
At CJ Sport Surfaces, we wholly support theCJ Sport Surfaces idea that all individuals, no matter their background, should have the chance to be fit, healthy and active. So, if you think your school, community centre, or sports club might be eligible for sports funding, take a look at our definitive guide to the different bodies and discover how their funding is managed.
UK Sport
UK Sport provides strategic investment to enable Great Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic sports and athletes to achieve their full medal winning potential.
It sits at the ‘top end’ of Britain’s sporting pathway supporting athletes and sports to compete and win medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. UK Sport has no direct involvement in community or school sport.
Sport England
Whether you are a small club or school which needs to purchase extra equipment or a multi-million pound facility that hosts Olympic athletes, Sport England claims to have a funding programme that can help you.
They have a series of funding programmes and a belief that everyone in England, regardless of age, background or level of ability, should feel able to get involved in sport and physical activity.
When it comes to small grants, Sport England uses National Lottery funding to make awards from £300 to £10,000 to not-for-profit organisations to help more people get active, while larger grants can move into the millions.
The Community Asset Fund is the new capital fund dedicated to enhancing the spaces in local communities, while the Strategic Facilities Fund looks to build the right facilities in the right places and supports local authorities to make sure existing and future facilities work together – not just looking at an individual building or the needs of an individual sport.
Then there’s its strategy ‘Towards an Active Nation’ which has committed £2m through the Major Events Bid and Legacy Fund into organisations which can either engage less physically active individuals or help businesses explore ways to use their major events in a more holistic way, to derive a greater financial return from their existing customers (players, volunteers, spectators), thereby reducing their need for public subsidy.
Sport Wales
As a national organisation, Sports Wales is responsible for developing and promoting sport and physical activity in Wales.
The body is the main adviser on sporting matters to the Welsh Government and responsible for distributing National Lottery funds to both elite and grassroots sport in Wales.
It supports the Welsh Government’s vision for a physically active and sporting nation, as outlined in their strategies Climbing Higher and Creating an Active Wales.
When it comes to funding, the Community Chest offers grant awards up to £1,500 in any 12 months towards increasing participation and improving standards. Sports clubs or associations, youth clubs and community groups are all welcome to apply.
Then there’s up to £25,000 available to develop activity in local communities. Take a look at their website for details on the types of funding that Sport Wales is able to provide.
Sport Scotland
Sport Scotland is the national agency for sport in Scotland that sees sport as a way of life, at the heart of society, making a positive impact on people and communities.
Different sources of Sport Scotland funding include the following:
- National Lottery Awards for all – Programme administered by Big Lottery Fund where grant awards are available between £300 and £10,000 to bring communities together, improve places and spaces that matter.
- Sports Facilities Fund – supports capital projects that create or improve places where people take part in sport and physical activity. Awards can be made of up to £100,000 to fund projects within club & communities, school & education or performance sport environments.
- UKCC subsidy for coaches.
- The Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis Fund – £15m committed for the development of indoor tennis centres in Scotland.
Pledge Sports
Pledge Sports is a global crowdfunding and sponsorship platform for sport, which spreads across 40 countries around the world. Essentially people can get online, set up a crowdfunding campaign and then reach out for support, while at the same time growing their fan base and profile.
It will help any sports-related project including:
- Athletes
- Teams
- Clubs
- Events
- Films /Documentaries
- Sports Brands
To find out more about Pledge Sports and how it might be able to help you, visit their website for more details.
Foyle Foundation
The Foyle Foundation supports projects which facilitate knowledge and learning and have a long-term strategic impact. Key areas for support are:
- libraries, museums and archives;
- special educational needs;
- projects that encourage sustainability by reducing overheads or which help generate additional revenue;
- projects and activities which increase access and widen the diversity of attenders/visitors.
For state funded schools the main initiative is The Foyle School Libraries Scheme, while, for universities they can support arts, museum, archive or special collection projects, usually for capital funding, which meet a clear public benefit.
To find out more about sports funding for schools and the range of sports equipment provided by CJ Sport Surfaces, contact us today.