Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire sports clubs supported by over £2 million in grant funding

Published

3 years ago

2nd June 2021

Editor

More than £2 million in grant funding was awarded during 2020/2021 to sports clubs in Pembrokeshire which experienced financial difficulties because of Covid-19.

The funding came from a variety of sources and was awarded to 120 clubs, ranging from swimming to rugby, cricket, football, gymnastics, golf, rowing, athletics, weightlifting and netball.

Sport Wales’ ‘Emergency Relief Fund’ gave £76,428 and their ‘Be Active Wales Fund Progress’ provided £219,457 to the county. The Rate Relief Scheme, administered through Pembrokeshire County Council gave £1,742,177. England Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Wales contributed £50,000.

Cllr Paul Miller, Pembrokeshire’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “The past 15 months or so have been very challenging financially for sports clubs and it’s great to hear that so many have applied for and been successful in receiving funding to enable them to keep going.

“In many cases, clubs have also taken the opportunity to invest in long-overdue improvements or new facilities which is also extremely good news.

“With some sporting fixtures once again starting to take place, albeit on a restricted basis, we are looking forward to when we can enjoy taking part in, practising and watching sport more and more as time goes on.”

Among the many clubs receiving grant funding is Pembroke & Pembroke Dock Amateur Boxing Club. Chris McEwan said it had ‘kept the club alive’ by enabling it to install a disabled toilet and wet room to make the club more accessible and inclusive. The work was carried out by local builders.

At Tenby Surf Lifesaving Club, grant funding was used to undertake essential maintenance work on the clubhouse as well as purchase some new equipment – ‘future proofing the club for years to come’, according to Ian Badham.

Work has also taken place at Clarbeston Road AFC. Steve Brown said: “We are very grateful for the support we have received from the Sport Wales Be Active Wales Fund. Being able to purchase portable floodlights will give us extra flexibility for running evening training sessions on our four pitches and help support our programme for getting our members back to football after such a long break. They will also help us to host community events, as and when restrictions allow, providing wider local benefits.”

Also benefiting from grant funding is Pembroke Dock Cricket Club. Andrew Scott-Davies said: “The grant has been a tremendous windfall as the club can now plan to build a new changing room which is desperately needed. Work will be carried out by a local builder with labour provided by club members.”

The Sport Wales Be Active Wales Fund remains open for applications.

(Lead image: Pembrokeshire Council)