Angus Irvine Playing Fields Fund

The funding is intended to improve the lives of children and young people (up to the age of 25 years), enabling them to access the transformative benefits of inclusive community sport. Grants in the range from £2,500 to £5,000 are typically available, although a larger grant may be possible in some circumstances.

Applications are accepted from local community groups and sports clubs (with priority given to sports clubs):

• Based in Greater Manchester, Oxfordshire, Greater London or the West Midlands Combined Authority.
• Based in or serving a borough or ward within the top 20% Indices of Multiple Deprivation.

Priority will be give to organisations/groups that are already supported by Access Sport.

Applications can be made for grants towards some or all the following types of projects with the intention of growing capacity to reach more young people:

• The development and improvement of playing fields and other facilities.
• The delivery of projects and programmes to prevent youth crime and anti-social behaviour.
• The development and training of volunteers including the provision of qualifications.
• The development of long-term sustainability, for example marketing and finance expertise.
• The organising, coaching and other key operational costs of running sports activities.

Activities should focus on including young people (age 5 to 18 years old) who otherwise be excluded from sport such as:

• Disadvantaged young people.
• Women and girls.
• Young people from minority ethnic communities.
• Young offenders and those at risk of offending.

The funders will be looking for projects that provide a competitive cost per new participant from within the designated target groups and that have a commitment to long-term sustainability.

The committee meet four times a year. Applications that meet the criteria will be considered in January, April, July and October.