
Clubs and centres claim over £861,000 in Sport England facility funding
By Emma Slater, RYA on 14 Jan
From refurbished changing rooms to new pontoons, 17 sailing clubs and centres across the country are celebrating after successfully securing funding through Sport England’s Inspired Facility Fund.
Part of Places People Play, Sport England’s programme to deliver a London 2012 legacy of increased mass participation in sport, Inspired Facilities is investing £50 million of National Lottery funding in up to 1000 community sports projects between 2011 and 2014.
Funding will help club’s to refurbish or upgrade sports facilities or to convert existing buildings into venues suitable for sport which are accessible to the whole community.
One sailing project to successfully receive funding is Hykeham Sailing Club in the East Midlands who have been awarded £50K to improve their launching facilities. “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded with this funding” explains Vincent Wilkinson, commodore at the club.
“When we heard about the grants we thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to improve the embankment of the grounds and the jetties which are over 50 years old. This grant really will make a huge difference to prolonging the life of our sailing club”.
Also successful are Helford River Sailing Club in Cornwall who will be claiming a grant of £50,000 to extend and improve their existing club house and Staunton Harold Sailing Club in the East Midlands, who have been granted £50,000 for the expansion and refurbishment of both the sailing club and changing rooms.
“There are four remaining rounds of funding between now and 2014. Sport England want this to be different to previous capital funding - more simple and accessible to people that have not got the skills, experience, expertise to pursue other applications” explains Graham Manchester, RYA Strategic Lead on Adult Participation.
“If your club facilities are looking tired and an investment would increase usage and community activity you should consider this fund. It offers a great change in the Olympic year for a lasting legacy in our sport” he concludes.
The RYA Sport Development Department has produced a handy guide for clubs interested in applying for the fund which can be found at www.rya.org.uk/go/if