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- Flutter UKI initially set aside £200,000 of funding for this year’s program
- The fund doubled after clubs and charities submitted 1,282 applications.
- Grants of £2,000 each will help improve facilities, equipment and training.
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Cash-strapped community clubs will receive a share of the £400,000 fund after Flutter UKI revealed the winning bids for its ‘Cash4Clubs’ grassroots sports programme.
A total of 200 clubs have received £2,000 grants from betting and gaming group Flutter UKI, home of Paddy Power, Sky Betting & Gaming, Betfair and Tombola.
Flutter UKI originally set aside £200,000 for this year’s Cash4Clubs programme, but doubled the fund after receiving a record 1,282 applications.
Community clubs and charities were able to bid for grassroots program funding.
Grants can be used to improve facilities, purchase new equipment and help fund training programs.
Flutter UKI has awarded £400,000 in funding in this year’s Cash4Clubs programme.
Taibach Tigers Rounders Club in Wales is one of the clubs to receive £2,000 in funding
The funds could also be used to invest to boost the sustainability of clubs and charities.
Flutter UKI said that this year special attention was paid to clubs in impoverished areas and those seeking to reach underrepresented communities.
“Community clubs are the foundation of sport in the UK and we are committed to doing everything we can to help small clubs make a real difference to people’s lives,” said Ian Brown, chief executive of Flutter UKI.
“I am delighted to have been able to double the size of this year’s Cash4Clubs fund to £400,000 after seeing a record number of applications arrive.
“We are convinced that Cash4Clubs will have a real impact in those areas that need it most.”
The announcement of the winners of the grassroots program awards arrives just a few months after Secretary of Culture Lucy Frazer announced the UK GovernmentThe ‘Get Active’ strategy.
The strategy aims to boost participation in sport by improving access to physical activity.
Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew believes the Cash4Clubs fund can help deliver on the Government’s drive.
The Government has backed the efforts of the Cash4Clubs program to support community clubs
‘The Cash4Clubs fund will help realize our ambition to get 3.5 million more adults and children physically active by 2030, and provide important support to community sports clubs.
“Staying active is vital for our health and wellbeing, which is why the Government is investing more than £400 million in grassroots facilities to ensure all communities have access to the facilities they need.”
Applications were divided into UK regions, and Flutter UKI worked alongside the UK’s leading community sports charity, Sported, to implement the programme.
Wheelchair rugby club Team Solent Sharks is among five recipients from the south-east region to have been awarded funding.
The club needed financing to survive and continue competing in national competitions.
Similarly, the Taibach Tigers rounders club will use funds so that its women’s teams can continue in the local league.
“It’s fantastic to have been awarded a Cash4Clubs grant,” said Taibach Tigers captain Hayley Williams.
“We are delighted and excited to see how we can improve the team and attract new members to the sport.”
Funding will help Team Solent Sharks wheelchair rugby club compete at national level
The Northern Powerhouse Boxing Academy, based in Todmorden, Yorkshire, is another of the 200 recipients of the funding.
The academy will use the funding to continue providing affordable access to exercise for the local community, and the grants will also directly support roles such as the head coaching position.
Flutter UKI said almost £5 million has been invested in community projects across its brands since Cash4Clubs launched in 2008.
The group highlighted that research shows that for every £1 invested in sport, an average of £6 is returned in social value.
For more information about Cash4Clubs visit www.cash-4-clubs.com