SPORT England have launched a £16.5 million ‘Return to Play’ fund and England Boxing clubs are invited to apply for grants.
Clubs who are based in areas with a high ‘Indices of Multiple Deprivation’ (with an IMD of 1-3) – meaning they operate in some of the poorest communities in the country – are particularly encouraged to apply.
Clubs which have already received Community Emergency Fund and Tackling Inequalities Fund grants can reapply for Return to Play Fund support.
£10 million of that fund has been earmarked for small grants, between £300 and 10,000 to help clubs meet the challenges of coming back to run a Covid secure environment, like having to deliver training in smaller groups and having to bring in new hygiene and safety standards to meet national governing body guidelines.
£5 million of it will be a Community Asset Fund to provide grants above £10,000 up to £50,000 to help local sports clubs adapt and open key places and spaces for a more secure return. This could be converting existing space for social distancing requirements, like additional changing space, and improving ventilation and making improvements to buildings or open spaces for temporary use, for instance to get more people active by using things like a vacant warehouse, shop or community centre.
£1.5 million of this fund is earmarked for an ‘Active Together’ initiative, which will help clubs set up their own fundraising campaigns and match a club’s own crowdfund of up to £10,000 to help cover loss of income.
For more information do see: https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds. Club support officers should also be available for any questions about eligibility or the application process.
These funds will be needed more than ever as second lockdown comes into force across England, closing down amateur boxing clubs.