Bid for Community Games funding

Friday 4th May 2012

People can enjoy the Olympic spirit without venturing to London thanks to funding which helps people stage their own events.

The Government has set aside £2 million of funding from its Big Society Fund to help thousands of sporty and creative people host Community Games.

South Yorkshire Sport, one of the country's 49 County Sports Partnerships, has grants of up to £500 to give to at least 25 groups to organise events.

Stuart Rogers, partnership development officer for South Yorkshire Sport, said: "The Community Games gives everyone across South Yorkshire the chance to be part of London 2012. But it's also about bringing people together to try new sporting and arts activities while having fun.

"This is a great opportunity to provide activities for children during the school holiday or to take advantage of one of this summer's additional Jubilee Bank Holiday weekends. A Community Games event would be the perfect opportunity to support South Yorkshire's Olympic competitors, such as heptathlete Jessica Ennis and Paralympic swimmers Eleanor Faulkner and James Crisp."

The project has been developed by the Lottery-funded Legacy Trust UK, a charity which aims to create a lasting impact from the Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding community initiatives.

Community Games events need to include both sporting and cultural activities, from dancing, football and athletics to wheelbarrow races and arts and crafts. Events should also feature an opening or closing ceremony.

For more information about the Community Games, visit http://www.sys.co.uk/community_games or call Stuart on 0114 2235683 or email stuart.rogers@sysport.co.uk.

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