WIREDGOV

Investment is available for sports clubs, local authorities, schools and parish councils to help fix facilities that can be unattractive, expensive to run and difficult to maintain, and to convert existing buildings into venues that are suitable for grassroots sport.

Applying for funding from this hugely popular fund has never been easier. Based on feedback from previous applicants, the Inspired Facilities fund is now an open programme which means projects can submit applications as soon as they are ready rather than being restricted by a specific deadline. To find out more and bid, visit www.sportengland.org/inspiredfacilities.

Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: “Since 2011, Inspired Facilities has invested £71 million of funding into more than 1,300 projects to improve and refurbish sports clubs and transform non-sporting venues into modern grassroots sports facilities.

“Now we’re making it even easier for more projects to benefit by keeping the fund open all year round, allowing them to apply at a time that suits them.”

Minister for Sport Helen Grant said: “The Inspired Facilities fund is giving a huge boost to grassroots sport across the country and with £71 million invested it has already helped 1,300 sports clubs maintain and improve their facilities. With an additional £20 million of National Lottery money now available and the application process made easier I would urge local sports clubs to look at how this fund can help them create more opportunities for people to get involved in sport.”

The impact of Inspired Facilities funding is life changing for many projects. One project to have already benefitted from the fund is Wigan Judo Club. Following an arson attack in 2006, which forced the closure of their 40-year-old dojo, the club was without a permanent home and as a result membership of the club suffered, falling to about a third of what it was in its prime. Following a £50,000 investment from Sport England the club has been able to renovate an old warehouse to turn it into a permanent home.

Phil Sullivan, Head Coach of Wigan Judo Club said: “It is no exaggeration to say Sport England's support has given Wigan Judo Club a new lease of life. We've turned around from struggling in the doldrums and facing obsolescence to looking forward to the future with eager anticipation.

“It's not just a question of the grants - although these have allowed us to renovate a new facility and create a dedicated dojo and training suite - but the support, insight and motivation provided by the Inspired Facilities team have been a real boost to morale. We're about to place some junior competitors in the National Championships, which would have been unthinkable just one year ago!”

Community and voluntary organisations are able to bid for grants of between £20,000 and £75,000, with other organisations such as councils and schools able to apply for grants of up to £150,000. 

Inspired Facilities is the latest Sport England facility fund to open. Other funds that clubs and organisations can apply to include:

• Protecting Playing Fields. Currently open until the 24 March, applicants are able to bid for a share of at least £4 million of funding to safeguard and improve local sports playing fields.

• Flood Relief Fund. Specifically created to help with the damage caused by the exceptional weather, the special £5 million flood relief fund is helping restore pitches and repair sports facilities damaged by the recent floods and storms. Emergency grants of up to £2,000 are currently available with to help clean up and get clubs up and running quickly. Those with more extensive damage which will take longer to repair will be invited to apply to the fund when it opens on 24 March.

To find out more about any of our funding programmes, visit http://www.sportengland.org/funding/