Vale Clubs Benefit From Council’s Funding Initiative

Thirteen sporting organisations from across the Vale of Glamorgan have recently received a share of funds totalling £16, 817 to help them increase participation in sport across their county. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Barry Wolves Football Club, Barry Wanderers Cricket Club, Barry Town United Ladies Football Club, Barry Rugby Football Club Mini & Juniors, Inter Penarth Amateur Football Club, Penarth Hockey Club, Sully Sports Football Club, Dinas Powys Amateur Football Club, Rhoose Athletic Football Club, Island Marine Football Club U7s and Penarth Ladies Hockey have all benefitted from funding. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The grants can be used to send coaches and volunteers on training courses such as Football Leaders, Rugby Tag Leaders, Hockey 4689 leaders, Level 1 cricket coaching, First Aid and Safeguarding training. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In addition to supplying funding for training, some organisations were awarded funding to purchase new equipment that would accommodate extra club members. The funding awarded to Dinas Powys Amateur Football Club, for example, will assist with developing a structure for girls; this will include establishing a junior girls section at the club. LS Haven Air Target Club, meanwhile, plan to increase opportunities at the club for disabled people to access air target shooting. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Community Chest panel has also recognised the fantastic contribution that the Vale of Glamorgan Mini Football League makes in helping hundreds of youngsters from across the Vale be more active on a more regular basis. Run by volunteers, the league offers fun, competitive opportunities to children on a weekly basis; they were assisted with funding to run this excellent provision. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Vale Council’s Sports & Play Development Team manage the Sport Wales Community Chest funding scheme, which can provide up to £1500 to clubs and organisations that can demonstrate they are going to deliver projects that increase participation levels or improve standards in sport and physical activity. The types of organisations that can apply include sports clubs or Associations, youth clubs, residents groups and other community groups. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Gwyn John, Cabinet Member for Visible, Leisure and Regulatory Services, said of the funding available: “The funding can be used towards areas such as coaching courses, equipment, initial venue hire and marketing. Sporting clubs and communities provide fantastic opportunities for residents in the Vale to remain fit and healthy in a fun, social environment. The Community Chest allows these organisations to further increase these opportunities.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The next Community Chest panel meeting is taking place on 24 November with a deadline for applications of 10 November. There is still money available in the Community Chest pot for the Vale of Glamorgan, so if you would like to discuss a potential application, contact the Sports & Play Development Team on 01446 704793 or email KJDavies@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​