Sport England relaunches Sportsmatch
Sport England is delighted to announce the return of Sportsmatch with a new web-based facility enabling applicants to apply online.
Designed to encourage new or additional sponsorship investment from businesses, trusts and private individuals, Sportsmatch, funded by Sport England, will continue to offer pound for pound matched funding to sporting stakeholders for projects that encourage sports participation at grass roots level.
The scheme’s awards criteria have been amended to provide greater flexibility for applicants. From May 2008, partnership funding from trusts and private individuals becomes eligible for match funding. In addition, applicants will now apply online with telephone support available from Sport England on 08458 508 508.
All projects applying in 2008/09 will need to ensure that they are able to deliver their project in its entirety by 31 March 2009. This will ensure that the benefits of the scheme are received at the earliest opportunity.
Sportsmatch reinforces Sport England’s commitment to community level sport. Launched in November 1992, Sportsmatch, together with commercial sponsorship, has invested more than £102 million into 5784 community sports projects across England.
Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe, said:
“Sportsmatch has proven to be a great initiative over the years and has encouraged businesses to support grass roots sport projects up and down the country. I hope that it continues to go from strength to strength as we look to create a world class community sport system that encourages people to play sport for life."
For general enquiries regarding Sportsmatch please Tel: 0845 850 8508 or email
Goalpost Safety Scheme
The FA has become aware of some grounds – at various levels of the game - where metal cup hooks are still being used as net fixings. This practice must stop and match officials have been advised that matches should be postponed where such fixings are evident on any part of the goal frame. The fixings shown in the photos on this page will be acceptable, i.e. plastic arrow heads which can be screwed in, plastic clip net fasteners and new goals which have internal channels for plastic grippers.
If Clubs do not wish to purchase new goals because of cost, it is recommended they should consider grinding the hooks off and ensuring the equipment is then well rubbed down to ensure no sharp edges remain. Manufacturers offer various different net ties and fixings which can ensure the nets are securely affixed to the goal. A list of those who can supply such net fixings, are shown below:
• Harrod UK Ltd - 01502-583515
• Edwards Sports – 01308-424111
• Mark Harrod Ltd – 01502-476882
• BG Sports – 01282-860077
• Huck nets – 01308-425100
The Football Foundation has been supporting the replacement of goalposts. Grants for up to 50% of the costs of replacement goalposts are available. More information is contained in the download on the right.
Facilities Improvement Projects
If you are planning a facilities project, please download the information pack on the right. Forms can completed online on the Foundation's website. Please see the link on the right.
There are other potential funders as well as the Football Foundation. A download of many of them is available on the right (Sports Funding Information). Here are some examples at the present time:
Affiliated Leagues are able to apply for funding through the Football Association's "Funding for Leagues" grants programme. Funding of between £250 and £800 is available to purchase equipment that assists in the administration of that league. This can include computers, laptops, printers, modems, scanners, keyboards, shredders, telephones etc. Applications will only be accepted in 2007 from leagues that did not receive grant aid in either 2005 or 2006 from this scheme. The 2007 closing date for applications is the 1st October 2007. Please see
http://www.thefa.com/GrassrootsNew/Funding/
Community based organisations working with disadvantaged communities and groups in the UK are eligible to apply for funding under the Sport Relief Grants Programme. The Sport Relief which was set up by Comic Relief and BBC Sport to use the power and passion of sport to tackle poverty and disadvantage. In the UK, money raised through Sport Relief 2006 is currently being distributed in two ways.
* The Community Foundation Network is distributing Sport Relief grants of up to £10,000 to projects that use sport to build the confidence and self esteem of people who are having major problems in their lives. Other projects will give people who would otherwise miss out, the chance to take part in sport.
* UnLtd is distributing Sport Relief grants of up to £5,000 to young people who use sport to bring people together in their local area to enhance community relations and reduce conflict where they live. Please see
http://www.comicrelief.com/apply-for-a-grant/uk/sport-relief/