Playing fields are one of the most important resources for sport in England but many of them are waterlogged or in a state of disrepair, so Sport England are investing £28 million of National Lottery funding into improving community sports fields.
The programme is being delivered via eight funding rounds with approximately £4 million being awarded to projects in each round. The first five rounds of funding has benefited 336 projects who have been able to either create new natural turf pitches or improve existing ones that needed leveling or drainage works.
The programme is inviting applications for projects that help communities maximise the sporting benefits of playing field land. The programme will create, improve and protect playing fields by:
• Improving the condition of pitches
• Support the purchase playing fields deemed at risk of being lost
• Creating playing field land (not less than 0.2 hectares)
• Bringing disused playing fields back into use
• Offering support to community and voluntary groups and local authorities to protect playing fields
The programme will provide grants from £10,000 up to a maximum of £65,000 for voluntary sector and education sector applicants.
For further information and to apply, visit: www.sportengland.org/funding/our-different-funds/protecting-playing-fields/more-about-protecting-playing-fields/, or contact 08458 508 508, or email: [email protected]
Deadline: 24 March 2014