GRASSROOTS clubs in Carmarthenshire can now apply for a new fund to help them survive the Covid-19 pandemic and prepare to restart activities safely.

Sport Wales has launched the £4m ‘Be Active Wales Fund’, so more community clubs and organisations can safeguard their future by applying for a grant online of between £300 and £50,000.

During the last two months, more than £600,000 of emergency funding has already been awarded by Sport Wales to help over 300 clubs across Wales that were in immediate financial danger.

Those eligible will be ones that are at risk of folding because of the Covid-19 crisis may need funding to help pay rent, utility costs, insurances or any fixed costs they may have for facility or equipment hire.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s executive board member for sports, culture and tourism, Cllr Peter Hughes-Griffiths said: “We have a wealth of sporting heritage in Carmarthenshire with a large number of sports clubs and organisations that do so much to help keep our communities active. This new funding will provide a lifeline to help those clubs and organisations to not only stay afloat, but also rebuild ready for when it’s safe for activities to resume.”

Sport’s National Governing Bodies are providing full guidance each time Welsh Government gives the green light for different forms of activity to resume, and the Be Active Wales Fund will help clubs make any adaptations needed so that activities are safe. For example, one-way systems, hand sanitisers, online booking platforms, and health and safety signage are now commonplace at golf clubs that have re-opened.

Sport Wales Chief Executive Sarah Powell said: “We are making every effort to help grassroots sport get through the current crisis. The Be Active Wales Fund will protect community clubs and organisations, and help them prepare for the sporting life alongside Covid-19. Our clubs and groups are crucial in keeping the people of Wales active. If they don’t stay afloat or they can’t reopen safely, we can expect another crisis – that of inactivity and ill-health. We must not let that happen.”

Be Active Wales Fund has been made possible thanks to Welsh Government and repurposed money from the National Lottery.

For more information or if you would like to discuss your application with the Actif Communities Team, please get in touch ActifCommunities@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Full information about the Be Active Wales Fund, including details on how to apply, can be found at www.sport.wales/beactivewalesfund