Sandwell's Cash for Sports Club gets a makeover to tackle Covid-19

Sandwell Council’s Cash for Sports Clubs scheme is getting a new makeover to help provide financial support to clubs during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The council is working closely with partners, including Active Black Country (ABC) and Public Health, in order to support Sandwell-based sports clubs as efficiently and effectively as possible.

The council is aware that clubs are facing many challenges and have changed the Cash for Sports Clubs grant scheme to support clubs during these difficult time.

A questionnaire has been set up and will be used to determine how we can support you moving forward and can be accessed at www.sandwell.gov.uk/cashforsportsclubs

Sports clubs based in Sandwell can now apply for special grants to support them with any immediate or urgent financial issues.

Councillor Maria Crompton, deputy leader for Sandwell Council, said:

Sports clubs can apply for up to £1,000 to support with any immediate losses or issues, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

We want to help you to ensure that our sports clubs are still with us when this crisis is over. You may want to apply for funds to support the sustainability of your club during this time, for example training and qualifications, if they are currently available from your National Governing Body (NGB).

A questionnaire has been set up to help us to understand the difficulties you may currently be experiencing. Council officers will follow this up by getting in touch with you to provide you with as much advice and support as the council is able to provide.

We look forward to hearing from you and hope we can support you through these difficult circumstances.”

There are a number of other schemes which can provide support for sports clubs during this crisis.

The Sport England Community Emergency Fund and Sandwell Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) are also offering support.

If you require any further information or support with accessing these funds, please contact the Council’s Sport & Leisure team at Sandwell_SportsClubs@sandwell.gov.uk

The council is also planning on setting up some virtual meetings and webinars so that clubs can come together to share challenges and solutions to issues faced, and colleagues from local organisations can also be invited to provide help and support.

Applications for grants are available now and more information can be found at www.sandwell.gov.uk/cashforsportsclubs