A community sports project on a Bradford estate is to get more than £80,000 of National Lottery funding.
The project to create a centre for sport on the former site of Scholemoor Sports Stadium is being spearheaded by 28-year-old Matthew Milnes who was recently recognised on the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for his efforts.
He has spent a decade developing the centre as part of his work with the Scholemoor Beacon initiative and now that organisation has been awarded £80,947 to build on its work getting people involved in sport.
Mr Milnes said the money from Sport England's Community Sport Activation Fund meant the project would be continue bringing people of different backgrounds together through sports, raising their self-confidence and tackling issues affecting the neighbourhood.
He said: “For a long time the Scholemoor estate missed out on opportunities that other communities had to involve local people into taking part in regular sporting activities.
“Through the redevelopment of new sports and recreation facilities, a culmination of over a decade’s work by Scholemoor Beacon and its partners, we now have a central facility within the community to involve local people and provide sports activities that encourage individuals to lead more healthy and active lifestyles.”
Sport England is investing £5.1 million of investment in 32 projects across England and all projects are contributing partnership funding towards their multi-sports programmes that will run for up to three years.
Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and Tourism said: “Congratulations to the 32 projects that will be receiving a share of this £5.1 million National Lottery fund. They will help improve the sporting offer in communities across the country.”
The other projects in Yorkshire getting funding include York Council's £248,530 to make taking part in sport easier and more enticing for all generations, Wakefield Metropolitan District Council receiving £226,587 for its Sporty Mates targeting inactive middle-aged men, and Hull City Council being awarded £161,132 for its Active Gold scheme encouraging middle-aged and elderly men and women to get fit.
This was the first of five rounds of the Community Sport Activation Fund, which will invest a total of £40 million. Bids are now being accepted to the second round of funding, which closes on July 1, 2013.
Community groups, charities and councils are among those that can bid for funding for up to three years, with grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 available for a wide range of projects.
To find out more go to: sportengland.org/funding/csaf.aspx.
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