Sport Wales’s Emergency Relief Fund, which has been in place since the start of the lockdown, has come to an end – with a number of Bowls Clubs throughout Wales benefiting from its payouts.
The Coronavirus lockdown posed a serious financial risk to many bowls clubs in Wales due to a loss of income while fixed costs still needed to be paid.
During this period, Sport Wales received 741 applications from all sports and awarded £618,234 to help safeguard the futures of hundreds of clubs. Bowls clubs received 21% of the total awarded by Sport Wales.
BowlsWales is delighted that 81 Lawn, Crown Green and Indoor Bowls clubs will benefit from £130,103 worth of funding from the ERF fund. Grants submitted for this fund ranged from £300 to £5000.
The breakdown of sums received from the fund is below:
EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND
Sport Wales featured one of the successful applications from a Crown Green bowls clubs in a recent case study:
‘Benllech and District Recreational Association on Ynys Mon feared the worst. Financial forecasts looked bleak and concerns deepened that it may need to force its close its doors permanently. Known locally as Benllech Bowling Club, it also has tennis courts. The pretty club enjoys sea views and attracts holidaymakers during the peak season. The tourism income, which looks set to drop this year, helps the club to survive all-year round.’
There is no doubt that the Sport Wales Emergency Relief Fund, supported by the Welsh Government, has helped the club stay afloat.
BowlsWales Interim Chair Ken Burton is delighted by the successful bids:
“In challenging financial times, these awards will make all the difference, and I congratulate so many bowls clubs for working so hard and submitting such compelling cases. We are all very grateful to Sport Wales for providing such much-needed assistance so quickly and efficiently.”
BowlsWales National Development Manager Claire Joll is equally pleased:
“It is great to know that so many clubs have been successful in their applications. The awards will help strengthen the clubs and ensure that they can carry on operating in this difficult time’
The Emergency Relief Fund is now closed. However, clubs at financial risk will now be able to apply to Sport Wales’s Be Active Wales Fund which will also provide grants to qualifying clubs.
More details on the Be Active Wales Fund can be found here:
https://www.sport.wales/beactivewalesfund/
We are happy to assist and advise clubs on the new grant. Our contact details are:
Claire Joll – Development Manager
claire.joll@bowlswales.com
07936 363108
Sophie Hancocks – General Manager
sophie.hancocks@bowlswales.com
07546316313
