Sportsmatch
Sportsmatch programme re-launched for 2011 with additional benefits
For the coming year, Sport England has made some minor changes to Sportsmatch to make life easier for applicants.
Sportsmatch brings additional funding to not-for-profit organisations that have secured sponsorship to deliver new projects to get people playing and enjoying sport. Grants from £1,000 up to £100,000 are available to match sponsorship from the commercial sector, private individuals or charitable trusts.
Clubs, voluntary organisations, sports governing bodies, councils, schools and universities can get their applications in now, and the first awards will be made in early April.
For the first time, Sport England will be accepting bids where the sponsor has an existing relationship with the club and isn’t increasing the amount it invests, provided it is for new projects. This recognises the hard work done by sports clubs to maintain relationship with local businesses, which is especially important in difficult economic times when finding new sponsors may be more challenging.
Among last year’s Sportsmatch beneficiaries, was a project in the North East that gave basketball coaching to over 2,000 primary school children. School teams were set up and then encouraged to enter into tournaments with other local schools. The winning teams from each event went on to play in a regional final at Newcastle Arena, home of the Newcastle Eagles basketball team. The Eagles Community Foundation Club Development Programme received £34,000 from Sportsmatch which funded the coaching and tournaments across Newcastle.
For more information - and to apply any of Sport England’s funding programmes - please visit the funding section of the Sport England website or call its funding helpline on 08458 508 508.
last updated on 31st January 2011