Cumbrian clubs are being urged to take advantage of a £50k Fund for grassroots sports launched by Fibrus Broadband which has already helped a Kendal under-15 girls’ football team.
The Play it Forward Fund offers up to £1,000 per club to help with equipment, kits, improving facilities and subsiding training fees.
Since it was launched last year, around 20 organisations in Cumbria have received grants, including Wattsfield Youth Football Club who completed a highly successful season.
Last year the Fibrus Play It Forward Fund awarded them a grant for new strips.
The Fund is designed to help children switch off from their devices, get active and have fun.
Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said: “Investing in local communities is one of our core mission statements at Fibrus and our Play it Forward Fund allows us to play a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of children.
“Sports and clubs are intrinsic to the communities in which we operate, and we are committed to supporting these communities wholly, through both digital connectivity, but also to ensure clubs have access to essential funds to support children’s sports in their area.
“After such a good response to the Fund last year, we are delighted to continue this initiative in 2024 to support grassroots community sports organisations. We are looking forward to the positive impact it will have on local communities in the upcoming year”.
Wattsfield coach Fran Tollerson said the Fund had helped inspire new confidence in the team.
“Fibrus have been our 2023-24 sponsors and we are truly grateful for their support.
“It can be very difficult to gain sponsorship and having the opportunity to apply to the Play It Forward Fund allowed our team of girls to get a brand new kit which helped to give them more confidence whilst playing football.”
And the confidence certainly saw them find success on the pitch.
The Kendal side went on to win the Westmorland FA Cup and were runners up in the Lancaster & Morecambe Service to Youth League Cup.
The Play It Forward Fund was set up last year as part of Fibrus’ commitment to connect communities beyond broadband.
Since it was launched last year, around 20 organisations in Cumbria have received grants.
The Play it Forward 2024 initiative comes shortly after Fibrus announced £120,000 of funding available across Northern Ireland and Cumbria through the Fibrus Community Fund, to alleviate digital poverty, underlining the broadband providers’ commitment to the local community.
The next round of Play it Forward funding is now open and will close on the 5th of July 2024. Sports clubs across Cumbria and Northern Ireland can apply to the £50,000 fund here.
This article was first published online on The Westmorland Gazette on 28th June 2024.
