David Chadwick MP has urged grassroots clubs across the UK to apply for the next round of Cash4Clubs funding in September, following a visit to Presteigne Bowling Club.
The members-owned lawn bowls club, based in the small town of Presteigne on the Wales-England border, received a share of Flutter’s annual £500,000 Cash4Clubs scheme earlier this year.
The grant funded the construction of a ramp from the car park to the bowling green, facilitating the transport of materials and equipment on and off the green, and enabling the club to improve access for players and spectators, many of whom have limited mobility. The club previously relied on several stepped entrances.
Presteigne Bowling Club has several men’s, women's and veterans’ teams who compete in the Mid Wales and the Brecon & Radnor leagues. Its members range in age from their 20s to their late 80s and are drawn from the town, neighbouring villages and more remote rural communities.
The funding also goes towards maintaining the bowling green, allowing the club to keep membership fees affordable.
David Chadwick MP said:
"I was delighted to visit Presteigne Bowling Club to congratulate them on securing a £2,000 Cash4Clubs grant to help improve accessibility."
“It was a pleasure to meet the dedicated members and volunteers who make the club such a valued part of the local community. The club provides a welcoming place for people to stay active and socialise and has nurtured several Welsh Bowls champions!
“Bowls clubs are thriving across Powys and I'd encourage anyone looking for a new sport or a friendly community to get in touch with their local club.”
Terry Wells, Secretary of Presteigne Bowling Club Presteigne Bowling Club said:
“Support from grant funders such as Flutter is so important to small member-owned clubs like our own, enabling us to maintain and improve facilities for both players and spectators, while keeping subscriptions affordable for all in our community. We are immensely grateful for the funding provided by the Cash4Clubs scheme.”
Cash4Clubs provides funding to 250 sports clubs and community organisations across the UK and Ireland annually and, since its launch in 2008, has donated nearly £7 million to thousands of grassroots organisations.
The unrestricted funding supports community organisations using sport and physical activity to improve wellbeing, and remove barriers to participation. The transformative scheme is set to reopen for applications from clubs and organisations keeping adults engaged with sport next month (September).
Since 2008, Flutter UKI has invested nearly £7 million into grassroots sport through its brands, including Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Betting & Gaming, PokerStars and tombola.
Last year, more than 32,000 adults benefited from the scheme, with Sported reporting that 86% of clubs saw membership growth or increased participation as a direct result of funding.
Other organisations in Mid Wales to have received vital grants through the Flutter Cash4Clubs initiative include Talybont Cricket Club, Teme Valley Tigers Netball Club and Presteigne Ladies Hockey Club, to name just a few.
Kevin Harrington, Chief Executive of Flutter UKI, said:
"Cash4Clubs is a cornerstone of our commitment to reach the lives of 10 million people in the communities where we operate by 2030."
"Community organisations are the bedrock of sport and wellbeing across the UK and Ireland. Many operate on shoestring budgets, yet they deliver extraordinary impact for the people they support. Unfortunately, without support from programmes such as Cash4Clubs, many of these vital community institutions simply won't survive.
"We're proud to play our part."
Applications for the next round of £500,000 Cash4Clubs funding will open later this year at https://cash-4-clubs.com/.
The scheme recently won Best Grassroots Initiative at the Women's Football Awards, recognising its impact on community sport and wellbeing across the UK and Ireland.
Learn more about how your club and community can benefit from a grant from Cash4Clubs
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