Bumper funding for Vale activity clubs
Four Vale of Glamorgan-based based clubs are celebrating a
special funding package of nearly £3,500.
Under the Community Chest initiative, which is run in
partnership by the Sports Council for Wales and the Vale Council
Sports, Arts and Play Development Team, local organisations are
helped to develop and improve participation opportunities and
performance standards. Grants are awarded to help clubs and
organisations purchase equipment, develop coaches, promote and
market club activities and establish new junior sections.
The latest recipients are Penarth Rifle Club, Hazelhurst Nursing
Home (Penarth), Penarth Rowing Club and Vale Reds Football
Club.
Hazelhurst has earmarked their grant of £409.80 to establish
boccia opportunities for residents and purchasing equipment, and
will link with Linda Ruston, Disability Sport Wales Development
Officer in the Vale, to put in place a staff training course.
The rowing and rifle clubs and Vale Reds, an existing football
club for children with disabilities, are set to improve standards
of training and coaching and purchase new equipment with £1,000
awards.
Vale Sports, Arts and Play Development Manager Karen Davies
welcomes applications from other organisations wishing to develop
their opportunities. Karen said: “The Sports Council is keen to see
clubs become community hubs by diversifying their physical activity
opportunities as a means to encourage more people to be more
active, more often."
Typically, the panel would favourably look to see evidence from
applicants pinpointing ways to improve coaching qualifications or
starting a new team, eg, perhaps developing a different target
group for women, young people or individuals with disabilities.
Alternatively, the Community Chest panel would like to see
applicants demonstrating how they would outline pilot schemes, eg,
organisations may wish to run a 10-week schedule of wider physical
activities such as keep fit classes in their clubhouse or walks and
cycle rides from their base.
Clubs, schools, women’s institutes, social groups and employers
are all encouraged to access the increased funds to assist with
improving physical activity opportunities for members or
employees.
For the first time, sports clubs are now allowed to apply for
two awards in one financial year, and each award can be up to a
maximum of £1,000. One award must be for a physical activity not
normally offered by the applicant, ie, a rowing club may wish to
apply to run organised cycle routes, etc.
The deadline for applications for the next Community Chest panel
meeting is Friday, July 6.
For an informal chat to discuss potential proposals, or to see
if your organisation is eligible to apply and to receive an
application pack, please contact Karen on (01446) 704614.
Alternatively, you may wish to email her at kjdavies@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.