British Judo Association awarded funding towards Tackling Inequalities in Sport

EXTENSION TO THE NATIONAL LOTTERY FUNDING AWARDED TO BRITISH JUDO ASSOCIATION TOWARDS TACKLING OF INEQUALITIES IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

The British Judo Association (BJA) is delighted to hear that the £165,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England (SE)’s Together Fund has been extended to projects which can now be delivered by the end of September 2023. The funding is a continuation of the Tackling Inequalities Fund that was set up in April 2020 as part of their support package to help the sport and physical activity sector through coronavirus (Covid-19).

This funding and support will enable registered clubs within the BJA’s English Areas working with target audiences – Lower Socio-Economic Groups, Black, Asian and culturally diverse communities, Disabled People and People with Long-Term Health Conditions (LTC) – to continue to recover and grow off the back of the pandemic and the associated cost of living crisis.

The funding follows an extensive bid from the Association detailing how the funds will help judo clubs and facilities across England to deliver projects through to the end of September 2023. The award has allowed British Judo and Sport England to launch a “Together Fund Club Grant Scheme” in July 2022.

Working alongside the Association, Sport England will be the primary distributors of the fund and will have the final decision on the awarding of any Sport England Award. This will allow us to continue our work with clubs working with those groups identified as being disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic and which is significantly impacting their ability to be physically active.

Recognising the effect the crisis has had on our clubs and members and working in partnership with SE, the BJA have therefore introduced a time limited Grants Scheme. This funding will primarily support the ongoing revival of clubs within the nine English Areas.

All registered clubs within the BJA’s English Areas are eligible and can therefore apply for a one-off grant award of up to £10,000, although SE expects that the vast majority of grants (80%) will sit below £5,000 with the current average award being just £3,500. The grants will be available to support revenue funded activities such as coaching, equipment (not long-term replacement) and member costs (please see the FAQ document for the funding criteria).

Clubs will be able to apply for grants through to mid-February 2023, or until the award amount has been exhausted. All projects must be complete by 30^th September 2023.

The objectives of this grants programme are to help our clubs and members through the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis by:

• Supporting and encouraging our members to return to judo
• Supporting coaches
• Providing resources that enable clubs to gain and retain membership
• To continue to recover from the pandemic and the associated cost of living crisis
• Introduce new participants to Judo

Sport England’s work and contribution looks to break down the barriers in access to physical activity that were heightened by the pandemic, particularly for those in greatest need. Work from the fund looks to continue bringing people together, regardless of their background and ensure gaps between those who are active and those who are not do not widen.

With a strong understanding of the needs and issues in their areas, Sport England has committed £40m through a network of 83 Active Partnerships and National Partners across England to support community groups as a result of the impacts of Covid-19. We are also investing further funding through National Partner organisations that have specific expertise and reach our target audiences.

British Judo Chief Development Director Karen Roberts was delighted with the extension from Sport England: 

“Sport England has positively considered feedback from their Active Partners, to offer this extension to the programme. We have already seen many clubs creating projects in their communities to introduce Judo and the benefits it offers, to those who have been most disadvantaged by the Pandemic and the current Cost of Living Crisis. Using funds for Judo kits, mats, coaches and membership our Clubs are enabling participation in Judo activity to communities across country”

Click here to download the FAQ’s document for Together Fund Club Grant Scheme

Click here to submit an application for the Together Fund Club Grant Scheme

If you have any questions about the BJA Together Fund Club Grant Scheme, please email: togetherfund@britishjudo.org.uk

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