MP excited about new investment in clubs

Local sports clubs such as Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club, Gosport Bowling Club and Gosport Jedi Volleyball Club are just some of the many groups that have benefitted from the grants.

The group has used £602,855 of National Lottery investment to improve the area’s sporting facilities.

During a briefing session in Parliament, Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage learned about the range of support Sport England continues to offer. The organisation aims to get people to play sport regularly. Talented athletes have the opportunity to improve their skills in especially-designed sports centres.

The MP said: ‘I am a massive supporter of Sport England.

‘These figures show that their work at a local level is also critical for small clubs at the grass-roots level.

‘We have so many fantastic groups in Gosport who have already benefited from Sport England’s investment. But I will be sure to contact local groups to bring the current support on offer to their attention, so they can continue to grow and expand, helping even more local people reap the rewards of sport and physical activity.’

Sport England also offers a Community Asset Fund, which awards between £1,000 and £150,000 for local clubs and community groups dedicated to enhancing spaces in the local community. The Small Grants fund also awards between £300 and £10,000 to support not-for-profit organisations who want to get more people playing sport.

Both funds are open all year round, meaning there are no strict deadlines for submitting an application. Furthermore, they have been developed to focus on getting the best sporting bids recognised, so both large and small projects get the recognition they deserve.

Written funding proposals will be judged on merit rather than on their professionalism.