Grants are out there

Boxing clubs throughout Wales rely on funding to maintain the crucial support they offer within communities across the country. 

Without grant opportunities, new equipment, maintenance of facilities, essential coach training and so much more simply would not be possible.  

That’s why it’s so important for our clubs to be aware and be proactive in identifying all avenues of funding that are out there, as well as taking advantage of them. 

One club that has been successful in doing so is Heads of the Valley ABC, where the team do incredible work in being a pillar for the local Ebbw Vale community. 

Alongside her colleagues at the club, Club Coach Marcia Bailey has done excellent work in securing vital funding to maintain its provision. 

“I Googled all sorts of terminology, such as ‘funding’ and ‘community sports’, and eventually came out with all of these little nuggets of information,” explained Marcia. “Then, after a bit of research, I came away with all these funding sources available to community boxing clubs within the UK. 

“I’ve basically been cheeky, just asking questions about the funding opportunities and getting to know what’s out there – if you don’t ask, you don’t get!” 

There have been several funds that Marcia and the team at Heads of the Valley have tapped into, taking full advantage of the opportunities out there. 

The club has secured funding from the Allianz Sports Fund, which grants community sports clubs a share of £50,000 twice yearly, from Persimmon Homes’ Building Futures initiative, supporting children in health and sport among other areas, and from the Be Active Wales Fund. 

“We’re also applying for Postcode Lottery funding, the Tesco Community Fund and there are potential sources like the Coal Industry Community Fund,” confirmed Marcia. “So, you can see that there’s loads out there.” 

The funding that Heads of the Valley has received will allow the club to do so much. 

“We’re thinking of setting up a Garden Hub, which will allow us to maintain the outside of the club as well as the inside, and potentially give children who maybe don’t want to box a different project and focus. 

“We’ll bring in new equipment, such as bags – so we’ll be able to offer each child a bag to use individually – skipping ropes, plenty of pads, and even a new ring. We’ll also look to set up a female-only section of the gym, while also setting up confidence and disability classes – we have so many ideas of what to do with the funding. 

“It’s going to make the club much more accessible and efficient; it’s so important!” 

It’s brilliant to see such initiative from our clubs, making sure that these opportunities aren’t going to waste. 

“It’s absolutely essential to know about these sources of funding,” Marcia commented. “The club wasn’t aware of just how much funding is available; and, of course, if we don’t get funding, then we don’t get all this nice new equipment or all the training we, as coaches, need to provide sessions. 

“It’s so vital to enrichen boxing clubs that support our local communities,” she continued, “so they can take in as many people as possible and provide an environment where people can improve their mental and physical wellbeing. 

“A boxing club is like magic! It provides a fantastic foundation for children and adults because, even if they don’t go on to make a career or at least progress in boxing, it gives them focus and the skills to go on and have a fulfilling profession and social life.” 

Marcia isn’t resting on her laurels when it comes to ensuring the Heads of the Valley team is as clued up as possible, however. She will be attending a webinar on Wednesday 12 July that will go into how to secure funding for your club. 

“It’s going to give a detailed explanation on what content to put on community funding applications,” she stated. 

“Some people miss things out that would go in their favour, or some people simply fail to make it a genuine, individual application which removes the authenticity and makes it impossible to get across the real necessity of funding for their club. This webinar is going to delve into best practise, basically.” 

Take a look at the webinar to learn more: Workshop - How to write a grant application for Community Foundation Wales Tickets, Wed 12 Jul 2023 at 09:30 | Eventbrite