England Athletics launch new Club Support Fund
We are pleased to confirm the details of our new ‘England Athletics: Club Support Fund’ to provide financial assistance for athletics and running communities.
Grants will be available in four funding rounds during 2021. Each round will have a particular theme under which clubs can apply.
Period for submitting applications
Round 1: 30 November 2020 - 15 January 2021. Theme: Overcoming the impact of Covid-19 (applications for Round 1 now closed)
Round 2: 1 March 2021 - 23 April 2021. Theme: Preparing for the outdoor track and field season (applications for Round 2 now closed)
Round 3: 25 July 2021 - 6 September 2021. Theme: Improvements to the training environment
Round 4: 3 December 2021 - 14 January 2022. Theme: Member engagement, recruitment, and retention
The scheme, which launches Round 1 today (Monday 30 November), is in recognition of the ongoing challenges faced by clubs because of the coronavirus pandemic and to provide long-term sustainability beyond this difficult period. Grants of up to £500 are available in this round.
Clubs can apply for funding in more than one round, however, priority will be given to applicants who have not been awarded funding previously through the Club Support Fund. Larger grants will also be available to clubs who own / operate their own facility with details and criteria set to be released early next year.
Emma Davenport, Head of Clubs and Participation at England Athletics, said: “We know that 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for the sport and our athletics and running clubs. By launching this fund, we want to support clubs to become safe, inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant environments where athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents, and carers feel welcome and proud members. We encourage all applicants to think innovatively and creatively about how additional funding could make a significant and positive difference. Our ambition, as the national membership and development body of athletics and running in England, is to help ensure an inspiring network of sustainable clubs and facilities with the capacity to meet both the current and future demand across the country.”