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Rushcliffe Sports Grants

Introduction

The Rushcliffe Sports Grants are available to support the borough’s athletes and sports clubs by providing a financial contribution to help individuals reach their potential in their chosen sport, whether as an athlete, or as a volunteer coach, referee, umpire or groundsman.

To improve the grant process we have introduced a new online application system where applicants will be able to use the Save and Exit button to save their work and complete at a later date.

Please note the FANS scheme will move to an online application in April 2025.

Funding is limited and we are expecting to be oversubscribed with applications, so applicants are encouraged to provide as much detail in the application as possible.

Rushcliffe Sports Grant – Elite Athletes

The Elite Athletes grant is in place to alleviate some of the financial burden that competing at an elite level places upon individuals and their families, as this is often a barrier to achievement.

Athletes who are currently competing at international level within their sport can apply to help with costs such as travel, training, accommodation, competition fees and equipment, specialised coaching and other specialist support deemed appropriate by the National Governing Body over the next year.

  • 20 grants of £300 will be made to successful applicants
  • Applicants are required to provide an endorsement from the National Governing Body, confirming the level of participation
  • Applicants must be aged 14-25 years OR competing in a disability sport regardless of age
  • Priority will be given to Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth sports
  • Priority will be given to applicants who are in receipt of Universal Credit and/or receiving free school meals

Please ensure you read through the guidance and eligibility before completing an application, to understand the full criteria for the grant.

Apply for an elite athletes grant online

Rushcliffe Sports Grant – Workforce

The Workforce Grant is in place to support the borough’s sports clubs in developing their workforce. This may include coaching, officiating, grounds maintenance and safeguarding.

As part of the application, sports clubs are required to produce a workforce project plan highlighting how they will spend the grant funding. The project plan should also include outlining beyond what the grant will fund, showing the clubs commitment to developing the workforce long term. Projects can be longer than 12 months but if successful, this grant must be used in the first 12 months.

  • Each year, two sports clubs will be funded £500 to support their workforce
  • Applicants must be a voluntary Community Sports Club based in Rushcliffe Borough
  • The sport must be a Sport England recognised sport or discipline
  • Applicants must provide a completed project plan detailing the project
  • Applicants must provide a copy of the constitution
  • Applicants must provide the most recent audited accounts
  • Applicants must provide evidence of costings associated with the project

Please ensure you read through the guidance and eligibility before completing an application, to understand the full criteria for the grant.

Apply for an workforce grant online

Download the project plan template which must be completed and submitted as part of your application.

Rushcliffe Sports Grant – FANS

The FANS scheme provides sports people living in the borough who compete at a national level or equivalent with free access to the fitness suite and swimming for 12 months* at the following sports facilities in Rushcliffe:

*Normal terms and conditions apply as with the standard Rushcliffe Borough Council health and fitness membership package.

The scheme aims to help elite athletes achieve their full potential by reducing the financial burden of training costs. Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the scheme:

  • A current national sportsperson (national is deemed as someone who represents their country/a member of the national team in their chosen sport OR listed in the top ten of the national age group in their chosen sport).
  • A resident in Rushcliffe Borough for the majority of the year
  • Competing in a Sport England recognised sport - Sport England - recognised sports
  • Aged 14 and over on the date of application

On application, athletes must provide: 

  • A letter or email direct from your National Governing Body confirming involvement at national level (please note web links and results pages will not be accepted as evidence but may be submitted as additional supporting information)
  • Photograph

If you would like to apply for the scheme please complete the Rushcliffe FANS Application Form (880.88 KB, application/pdf) and return it to sportsdevelopment@rushcliffe.gov.uk with all the required evidence requested. Individuals can reapply for the FANS scheme every 12 months by completing the application form again and by providing updated supporting information.

Sport