Welcome to our March newsletter which seems to be packed with news and information. There are leads on funding opportunities; opportunities to celebrate the contribution of volunteers; why swimming is making a splash in the county; how to get more young people involved in physical activity and much, much more.
One particular piece of news which, on the face of it, is disappointing is that the County has just missed out again on being accepted into the national Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme which is a massive opportunity to modernise schools through a programme of rebuilding and major refurbishment. However the bid team has received very positive feedback and encouragement to resubmit in the next round and will be working hard to get over the threshold. In the current economic climate and the foreseeable future BSF is likely to be the only way in which new facilities for community sport and physical activity will be built and the County Council’s project team has been very active in setting up a Culture and Sport stakeholder group to ensure that community sport and other cultural facilities and activities are included in the programme so let us all keep our fingers crossed.
Best wishes
Cheif Executive Officer
Thousands of amateur sports clubs across the UK are missing out on a share of tax savings running into millions of pounds.
Funding for Sports Clubs
Sports club that are registered with their sport’s National Governing Body or local authority can apply for grants of up to £1,000 through the Cash 4 Clubs grants scheme. Cash 4 Clubs is a sports funding scheme which gives clubs a unique chance to apply for grants to improve facilities, purchase new equipment, gain coaching qualifications, and generally invest in the sustainability of their club. There are three tiers of grants at £250, £500 and £1,000. For details on this funding opportunity click here.
Small Grants Programme for Sport
Sport England has announced that its small grants programme is now open for applications. Under the programme, not-for-profit organisations, including sports clubs, voluntary or community organisations, local authorities and education establishments (such as schools, colleges and universities can apply for grants of between £300 and £10,000 for community-level activities that help people become involved in sport, keep people in sport or help people improve their performance at their chosen sport. For details on this funding opportunity click here.
The Woodward Charitable Trust awards annual grants to summer playschemes for children between the ages of five and 16 who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Bag4Sport are keen to let as many sports clubs know how they can use our free scheme to raise funds.
A new campaign has been launched by Sport England and JustGiving, which aims to pump an additional £22m into grassroots sports over the next five years.
Six more local authorities have been given the green-light to join the groundbreaking Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.
Take Part in the BIG Chat!
On 16 March 2010, 1pm to 3pm, the Chair of Big Lottery Fund, Sir Clive Booth, will be taking part in a live web chat
The Lottery We want to hear what you think. Between now and 16 March you can send questions for Sir Clive to answer online. To pose your questions or to find out more click here.
A new team of specially trained coaches are being deployed to help children become more active - setting them on the path to a healthier future.
Free Workshop on Motivating Kids To Be Physically Active
Interested in getting children to be more active? Want to learn about new local initiatives and how you can make a difference to the lives of young people? Monday 19th April 2010 at Southville Centre, Bristol. For more details click here.
‘Let’s Get Moving: The Role of Physical Activity in Improving Health’
This workshop is running on Monday 29th March 2010 at Gloucester Rugby Club, Kingsholm Stadium from 2.00 – 5.00pm. For more details contact Kirsty Alexander (Public Health Directorate, Gloucestershire PCT) on 08454 221767 or e-mail kirsty.alexander@glos.nhs.uk
Dynamic dancers took Tewkesbury by storm. From sizzling salsa moves tocutting edge street dance,Tewkesbury Dance Festival had it all.
Count Me In - Dance Me In
Active Gloucestershire and Tewkesnury 'Count Me In' are running the below courses and dance sessions.
For more details click on the attached links or contact Emily Young on 07792974611 or via email at eyoung@glos.ac.uk
Swimathon is making a splash in Gloucestershire
Swimathon, a swimming fundraising challenge event, has now been running for 24 years. Over the years ½ million swimmers have taken part raising over £32 million for various charities.
This year Swimathon aims to raise over £1.5million for Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Swimathon Foundation and Gloucestershire is certainly doing its bit. This year the number of entrants from Gloucestershire has more than doubled, which is fantastic. You can find out more about Swimathon and how to take part on our Get Up, Get Out Get Active events page.
20 million people have been give the chance to swim for free in pools the length and breadth of England.
Have you Got What it Takes to Be a Paralympian.
A 'Paralympic Potetial Day' to identify talent for London 2012 and beyond will be taking place at the University of Bath on 12th May. Click here for more details.
Disability Sport Inclusion Extravaganza
On Saturday 20th March Leisure@ Cheltenham are running a Disability event. Click here for more details.
Sport Relief is back – and it’s coming to Gloucestershire
Caring for Children and Young People with Cancer (CLIC) are running charity events through football called Kick Children with Cancer.
The Citizen has launched a very special award to honour young people in Gloucester, made by a very special man — the city’s current mayor, Councillor Chris Witts. You can nominate young people who have performed some sort of act of bravery or been involved in caring or charity work.
Nominations are now open for England Netball’s Goalden Globe Awards 2010.
Driving forward the UKCC – the endorsement scheme for sport-specific coach education programmes in the UK.
Futsal Taster Sessions
Leisure @ Cheltenham are running two taster sessions. One for under 16s and one for adults (over 16s). Click here for more details.
On the Ball: Essential Skills for Netball
On Tuesday 27th April at Bentham Country Club a workshop on Essentail Ball skills for netball will be taking place. Click here for more details.
England Basketball Regional Conference 6th May 2010
England Basketball would like to invite you to our third regional conference, featuiring sessions on coaching, Table officiating and Refereeing. For more details click here.
Kirby Lewis Cricket
From grass roots to the top... The Kirby Lewos Cricket player pathway from 6-11years upwards. Sessions will be running in the easter and May half term. Click here for more details.
Forest Leisure Tennis
Forest Leisure at Sedbury Leisure Centre now offers a range of tennis lessons and courses for all ages and abilities. Their six week courses begin week commencing April 19th until May 28th. Click here for a copy of their timetable.
