BF Launches Community Club Restart Fund

Supported by an FIE grant, BF invites community clubs to apply for financial support of up to £250 to restart session activity.

The Covid-19 Community Club Restart Fund is designed to help BF affiliated community clubs restart session activity after the enforced shutdown, attracting their club members back into fencing. It will prioritise those experiencing short term financial hardship and who have genuine concerns with being able to make sessions financially viable or are facing the potential ceasing of operations.

As part of the FIE’s Global Support Plan National Federations were allocated €4000 euros (£3310) to support the recovery of fencing at a national level. BF has contributed an additional £1689, providing a total of £5000 to be awarded as grants of up £250 for BF affiliated clubs (one application per club).

The fund is intended to support clubs to restart and run group sessions for British Fencing members to help grow/retain people in the sport over a prolonged period of time.

Eligible session costs that the fund could support include costs associated with facility hire, meeting Covid-19 regulations, equipment and coaching fees.

For more information around eligibility criteria, costs, fund priorities and application process please click here. Please read this document carefully before completing the form.

The application form is available online here:

If clubs would like a Word version of the form please email us at [email protected].

Georgina Usher, said “We know that many of our clubs are facing additional cost barriers in restarting community activity and that for some the extended lockdown has significantly impacted reserves and financial viability.   We are very grateful to the FIE for their financial contribution which has enabled us to create this Community Club Restart Fund to support our clubs.”

Hannah Gavin, BF’s Development Officer, said “We recognise that our clubs will need significant support to restart and rebuild next year, as they seek to welcome back members of the fencing community into club activity.  As well as this opportunity there are a number of other grants that I’d encourage clubs to look into. Clubs can access our latest presentation which includes an in-depth look at one of Sport England’s flagship funding pots, Return to Play Small Grants, as well as touching on some tips and tricks to help clubs with their applications.”

If you have a moment to help sport, please support the petition here which calls on the government to instigate emergency funding in the form of a Sports Recovery Fund to ensure sports clubs, fitness and leisure facilities can remain open and survive the coming difficult months.

If you would like to donate money to our Community Club Restart Fund please contact us at [email protected].

The work our coaches, clubs, volunteers, partners and community do to keep our sport safe, fun and viable is vitally important and we want to thank our members for your patience at this time. We will as always, update our Covid-19 advice and guidance page with the current status for all Home Nations. The latest tiered guidance for England can be found here.

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