Sporting boost for Gwynedd

A total of 17 sporting clubs and organisations throughout Gwynedd have shared a funding boost of more than £13,000 through Gwynedd Council’s Sportlot Community Chest fund.

Youth football teams and local rugby clubs have benefited from the Sportlot funding along with a model aero club, a trampolining group and funding for an organisation which aims to prevent rheumatoid arthritis.

David Lloyd-Williams, of Gwynedd Council’s Sport Development Team, said:

“Local sports clubs and organisations offer great opportunities for members of the public to keep fit, develop their sporting skills and meet new friends. We are delighted that so many Gwynedd sorting organisations have benefited from the most recent round of Sportlot funding.

“Gwynedd sports clubs and organisations can benefit from grants of up to £1,000 through the Sportlot fund, and we would urge any group interested in applying for funding to get in touch for more information.”

Gwynedd Council’s Sportlot grants are funded by the Sports Council for Wales.

The sporting clubs and organisations that have been successful in the latest round of Sportlot funding include:

Clwb Antur Caban Bach Barnados – to provide equipment and funding for pool hire to promote father’s involvement with their children through the introduction of kayaking sessions and close work with Baranados at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Clwb Antur Dwyfor: Padlo – funding to hire a swimming pool to run paddling sessions at Dwyfor Leisure Centre in Pwllheli for juniors and adults. The club have now got a paddling branch along with their climbing sessions.

Llyn Model Aero Club – to fund equipment to introduce model flying to new members and attract more juniors and adults to the club, new electronic equipment will make learning much easier for the beginners.

Bro Bach Rugby Club - to fund coach education at the Bro Ffestiniog club by sending volunteers on various training courses.

Y Bala Golf Club – to offer a structured coaching programme, as well as paying for hire of the Penllyn Leisure Centre to undertake introductory sessions.

Criccieth Tennis and Squash Club - funding to support the club to establish a junior section, by purchasing new equipment and sending two volunteers on Tennis Leaders Awards.

Bangor Ankylosing Spondylitis – to establish a sustainable club for AS group to lead an active lifestyle and prevent rheumatoid arthritis. The Sportlot support will fund pool hire and equipment for a swimming programme.

Gwynedd Wheelchair Sports Association - to purchase wheelchairs so that junior participants can take part safely and to offer more opportunities for newer junior members.

Bangoroos Trampolining Club – the Bangor-based club received support to fund coach education courses and to purchase necessary specialist equipment.

Y Felinheli Youth Football Club - to help the club set up an under 12s team.

Blaenau Ffestiniog Youth Football Club - to fund coach education and send volunteers on leaders awards.

Llewod Llanrug - to help the junior sides fund coach education. Funding will also allow the club to purchase new goals for the under 7 section.

Dolgellau Athletic Amateur Football Club - to help the club’s costs for coach education courses.

Y Bala Youth Football Club - to help expand the club’s junior section by starting an under 6 section to cope with the volume of children at under 8 level.

Deiniolen Juniors Football Club – to fund facility hire and to purchase equipment for the new under 12s side.

Llyn ABC – to fund training for the boxing club’s volunteers.

Barmouth Badminton Club - funding to hire the local leisure centre so that they can start formalised club sessions.

Applications to be considered for the next rounds of funding should be presented by Monday, 11 January 2010 with the applications considered in a meeting on Monday, 1 February.

Application forms for the Sportlot Community Chest are available from Jane Eade, telephone (01758) 704010.

For advice or answers to your questions on the application process contact Elwyn Jones, Sports Development Officer on (01758) 704067 or David Lloyd-Williams, Assistant Sports Development Officer on (01758) 704057.