Emergency flood relief funding from Sport England is being made available to community sports clubs and not-for-profit organisations to help them restore flood-damaged facilities.
Organisations from the areas worst affected by recent flooding caused by Storm Christoph are now eligible to apply to our Return to Play Fund, which has been bolstered by the addition of a targeted flood relief option.
While the effects of the recent flooding are still being assessed, we want to ensure sport and physical activity facilities aren’t forgotten and are ready to open when lockdown restrictions are eased.
Focus areas
We’re focusing on areas we know to be the worst affected and will keep this list under regular review.
Applications from other areas may be considered, but this will be done on a case-by-case basis.
At present, the list of worst affected areas comprises of:
Bedfordshire
Berkshire
Cheshire
Gloucestershire
Greater Manchester
Lancashire
Merseyside
Oxfordshire
Nottinghamshire
Yorkshire
Worcestershire
Who can apply?
Your organisation can apply if you’re:
- a public body such as a local authority, parish or town council, or education establishment (you’ll need to provide £:£ matched funding)
- a not-for-profit voluntary group or sports organisation
- a not-for-profit community club or organisation
- a registered charity
- a not-for-profit company
- a community interest company or other social enterprise
- a leisure operator operating a single site.
- What can funding be used for?
- The grants could be used to restore grass and artificial pitches, to repair and decontaminate flooded clubhouses, replace damaged electrical systems or to clear blocked drains.
Other expenditures could include the hire of skips, pressure hoses or dehumidifiers – but only for use when safe to do so.
Football projects offered as part of a multi-sport site are eligible to apply.
What won’t we fund?
We won’t provide funding to cover the loss of income or bar stock etc., as we’re currently in a national lockdown that precludes people from taking part in sports activities.
Routine maintenance and repairs resulting from wear and tear will also not be covered.
We won’t fund football-only projects as we already directly fund the Football Foundation, which funds a range of football projects. If you have a football-only project, we suggest contacting your county football association.
For more information on how to apply please visit https://www.sportengland.org/news/financial-support-flood-damaged-facilities