RETURN TO PLAY FUND LAUNCHED BY SPORT ENGLAND

The Return to Play will support groups, clubs and organisations in England who’ve been impacted by restrictions brought in to tackle Covid-19

Sport England have launched a new £16.5 million fund to give additional help to the sport and physical activity sector during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The Return to Play Fund will support groups, clubs and organisations who’ve been impacted by restrictions brought in to tackle the disease, and is part of Sport England’s overall response to the crisis that now includes more than £220m of government and National Lottery funding.

The £16.5 million fund is split into three strands:

Small Grants: Providing grants of between £300 and £10,000 to help sport and activity groups, clubs and organisations respond to the immediate challenges of returning to play in a Covid-19-safe environment.

It’ll help community sport respond to the challenges posed, such as having to deliver in smaller groups, having the correct hygiene and safety equipment and giving training to club volunteers.

It’ll also cover making necessary changes to facilities, supplying additional sports equipment and new signage to meet current government and national governing body rules and guidance.

Community Asset Fund: Providing grants ranging in value from £10,001 to £50,000 to help local sports clubs and organisations to adapt and open important places and spaces that can help them welcome back their local community safely.

This will include helping groups, clubs and organisations address the challenges they’re facing by:

• adapting how they use space and improving ventilation
• converting existing space to meet social distancing requirements, such as additional changing space
• making improvements to buildings or open spaces for temporary use to get more people active by using a vacant warehouse, shop or community centre.

Active Together: This crowdfunding initiative will help sports clubs and organisations set up their own campaigns to help sustain them through the crisis.

It’s a great alternative if they don’t meet the priority groups of the other parts of the Return to Play package, and Sport England will match crowd funds of up to £10,000 to help cover the loss of income.

The partnership with Crowdfunder will also include advice, guidance and training to help create successful campaigns.

The application window is now open. For more information please visit the Sport England website here.

If you are an affiliated clubs in England and would like help in your application please contact [email protected].

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