Funding success for sport in Kent

Eleven Kent projects were successful in the first round of Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund.

Inspired Facilities is focused on making it easier for local community and voluntary groups to improve and refurbish sports clubs or transform non–sporting venues into modern grassroots sport facilities.

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 into community sports projects between 2011 and 2014.

Nearly £420,000 has been awarded to projects across the County so far, supporting a variety of sports, including Cricket, Skateboarding, Hockey, Football, Sitting Volleyball and Athletics.

Eight Kent sports clubs, two town / parish councils and one sports trust received funding towards a range of projects, including:

• clubhouse improvements
• skatepark improvements
• improved storage
• enhanced changing provision
• upgraded floodlights
• a new athletics training track
• new cricket nets.

Grants awarded range from £23,000 - £50,000.

Next funding round - when to apply?

You have five opportunities to apply for an Inspired Facilities grant, with each round awarding up to £10 million. There is a limit of one application, per organisation, per round. The next funding round opens on 1 February 2012 and closes on 2 April 2012.

Who can apply?

Community and voluntary organisations, including parish and town councils can apply for grants worth between £20,000 and £50,000. At least 70% of the funding available is set aside for these groups. Partnership funding is preferable but not essential.

Local authorities, statutory bodies and education establishments, can apply for grants between £20,000 and £150,000. Pound for pound partnership funding is expected. £150,000 grants will be exceptional.

To find out more please go to Sport England's website