Clubs sets to bid for £40m of Sport England funding

Fisheries and clubs are set to benefit from a £40m pot of funding that has been released by Sport England.

Bosses at the organisation have revealed that the huge financial injection will be made available to angling societies, with money handed out to those intent on improving facilities to increase participation in fishing through venue improvements and coaching schemes.

The move is an extension to Sport England’s hugely successful Inspired Facilities grant – a scheme that has already seen over £70m invested into local sports projects, with a series of fishing venues benefitting since its launch two years ago.

Lancashire’s Fir Tree Fishery is among those to have taken advantage, receiving £47,000 to improve pegging and access. Owner Martin Taylor said: “We do a lot of work with young offenders and people with disabilities so we were delighted when we were awarded the grant.”

“We worked hard to prove that our developments would have a big impact on the local community and as a result Sport England were extremely helpful. I’d encourage anyone who has a genuine desire to help push angling on to the next level to apply for the funding.”

Officials at Nottingham AA succeeded in gaining almost £10,000 towards improvements and Secretary Dave Turner believes it has helped boost the amount of people on the bank.
“One of our fisheries was very muddy and it put a lot of people off from visiting so we decided to build two new car parks,” explained Dave. “Since the work was completed the number of anglers visiting the complex has shot up. The application process was tough but worth it when you see more fishermen taking advantage of the facilities.”

Bidding for the cash is set to be conducted in a series of stages between 2013 and 2017 and a spokesperson for Sport England said: “The fund is designed to improve facilities for clubs of all sports and angling associations are invited to apply during the next round which will open on October 21.”

How to apply
Sport England has put together a list of criteria to help fisheries and clubs. Applicants will need to prove:
-How the project will attract more people into the sport.
-Demonstrate that it is wanted by the local community.
-Explain how its running costs will be met and how it will remain open for years to come.
To find out how you can launch your bid visit www.sportengland.org/inspiredfacilities

Sport England angling grants handed out in 2012/13
-Ramsbottom AA – £10,000 to buy new tackle for coaching schemes.
-Burton Mutual AA - £50,000 to create a new clubhouse to conduct indoor tuition sessions.
-Bourneville Village Trust - £29,000 to de-silt, restock and develop disabled friendly pegs at Birmingham’s Rowheath Pool.
- Port Sunlight AC - £43,000 to develop a club pond and attract hundreds of new juniors into the sport.