Three community clubs have received £5000 support packages to help them get through lockdown and beyond, after emerging victorious in the #ClubsInCrisis competition co-ordinated by Made By Sport.

Disability Sports Coach, Sheffield Diving Club and Wimborne Amateur Boxing Club came out on top in the competition which encouraged community-based organisations to use short videos to explain the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on them and their ability to support young people.

The competition was created following research by Newton for Made by Sport which revealed that over 40% of grassroots sports clubs were either in deficit or just breaking even before the pandemic, with many operating on less than £10,000 per annum with 50% led by volunteers. The impact of Covid-19 and the following lockdowns could mean that 25% of community clubs may not be able to open their doors again.

IMPACT

A wide range of sporting clubs from across the UK entered the competition before the winners were selected.

Justin King, Chair of Made By Sport, said: “We’re delighted to be presenting the winners of the #ClubsInCrisis competition with our support packages as they will have a positive impact on the lives of the young people involved who love these clubs so much.

“Throughout this competition, we were in awe of the many brilliant clubs across the country who have put their heart and soul into surviving this pandemic despite receiving little or no support from local and national government.

“We know these clubs play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of young people and that is why we were absolutely thrilled to support Disability Sports Coach, Sheffield Diving Club and Wimborne Amateur Boxing Club, who are all deserving winners and truly showed how the power of sport can change lives.”

Peter Ackred, CEO of Disability Sports Coach, said: “We are delighted to receive a fantastic donation of £5,000 from Made By Sport as part of their #ClubsInCrisis competition.

“We know just how powerful community sport can be in improving the mental and physical health of disabled people. We are determined to keep people engaged, connected and active with our range of online activities, especially as the latest restrictions mean many sports clubs remain closed.

BOOST

“With partners like Made By Sport, we can continue to change lives and open our community clubs again when safe.”

Nikki Smith, Diving Manager at Sheffield Diving Club (above), said: “We are over the moon to be one of the winners of the made by sport #ClubsInCrisis competition.

“After having just over a month’s worth of training in total in the last eight months due to the closure of our pool and lockdowns, this is a much-needed boost for the club and our members.

“The prize money means we can purchase much-needed equipment, support members experiencing financial hardship and continue to run our free diving lesson scheme across the city.”

Dave Rimmer, Head Coach at Wimborne Amateur Boxing Club (above), said: “Winning the #ClubsInCrisis competition is absolutely life-changing for our club.

“Not only will it mean we can continue to support female boxers during lockdown, where we can promote positive mental health, but it will make sure we are still around to relaunch our programmes as soon as this lockdown is finished.

“Being able to continue to help young females build their self-confidence and self-belief as well as improve social skills and team-work, at a time they quite possible need it the most, means the absolute world to all of us at the club.”

Find out more about Made by Sport.