Return to Sport Funding

Return to Sport has been developed to encourage adults (16+) to get back into sport or to try a sport for the first time. Return to Sport aims to promote exercise as a fun and social activity, as well as a way to get fit or to lose weight. Running a Return to Sport course is a great way to encourage more members to your club or organisation.

Who can apply

An application can be made by a sports club, leisure facility operator, constituted community organisation or National Governing Body through a local authority sports development officer. Before making an application we would encourage applicants to consult with the Sport & Physical Activity Alliance (SPAA) based in the area that the proposed activity is due to take place.

Funding Criteria

• Funding is for participants aged 16+

• Courses generally take place once a week, for at least an hour per session (although this is dependant on the sport / activity)

• Courses are generally 6 or 8 weeks long.

• Any sport / activity will be considered in the Return to Sport Programme. Funding can not be used to subsidise or continue existing activity.

• Each project should have a policy in place for payment and concessions for participants.

• There must be clear evidence of exit routes to show how participation will be sustained beyond the initial funding.

When and where can projects take place

• Courses can take place in local leisure centres, community halls, parks clubs sites etc

• Courses will need to fit in with our 2011 semester programmes. Spring programme to start week commencing 2nd May, Summer starts w/c 11th July, Autumn starts w/c 4th October & 10^th January 2012.

How the funding will be decided

• Sport Hampshire & IOW and the local Sport Development Officer will review your proposal and funding will be allocated on merit with a maximum application of £500 with a total of £1750 allocated to each district / borough and unitary councils.

• Value for money will be one of the criteria against which applications are assessed. Please give careful consideration to hourly coaching rates and proportional expenditure on items such as marketing and equipment

What can the funding be used for?

Funding can be used for:

• Hire of facilities

• Purchasing equipment

• Coach / Instructor costs

• Publicity

How to apply

• Download the Guidelines and Application form.

• Applicants should complete and submit the application form (see appendix 1) in consultation with the sports development officer from the local authority.

• Applications then need to be submitted to Sport Hampshire & IOW’s Adult Physical Activity Officer. Decisions and feedback will then be communicated to applicants and any recommended project revisions agreed.

Conditions of funding

All successful applicants must:

• Acknowledge Sport Hampshire & IOW in any publicity (materials will be sent from SHIOW to the project lead).

• Be in a position to complete safe recruitment practice including CRB and reference checks and have a current safeguarding policy and procedures in place, if working with vulnerable adults.

• Ensure projects will be run by instructors/coaches with a qualification relevant to the proposed activity, e.g. appropriate governing body qualification.

• Have appropriate insurance in place to run activity.

• A completed monitoring form (appendix 2) including financial spend breakdown, copies of all publicity material and short report on the activity or event shall be forwarded to the Sport Hampshire & IOW as soon as possible after the event/course and not later than the end of each financial year.

• Any underspend should be returned to SHIOW or be used for the ongoing sustainability of adult participation.

• SHIOW should be consulted if any changes to the project occur, including start / finish dates.