Funding for sports teams

Applications for the Game on Gear Grant, which aims to get more young people from Scottish coalfield communities playing sport by reducing potential barriers, are open from 1 April.

Applications for grants of up to £500 can be made by all sports teams in coalfields communities.

Now that lockdown is easing, Football 5ives for 11 to 16 or 12 to 17 year olds will be starting in six venues in Fife from 16 April and in Alloa from 23 April. This involves free evening ‘turn up and play’ football activity sessions to provide positive and engaging activities for young people.

Sean Laird, Game On development manager, said: “Our Game On initiative now running in Scotland aims to address poor health that affects many coalfields communities by getting people of all ages more active.

“We’re encouraging sports clubs to apply for the Game On Gear Grant. And we’re hoping lots of young people will want to take part in our Football 5ives. As we emerge from the restrictions of lockdown, when many sporting activities had to be paused, now is a great time to get out and get active.”

“We’ll continue to work in partnership with others, including local authorities, the Scottish Football Association and Police Scotland, to develop many more regionally specific programmes in coalfields communities across Scotland.”