A number of local sports clubs and up-and-coming athletes are celebrating after being awarded grant funding from Torbay Council.
Organised in collaboration with Sport Torbay, the Back to Sport and Believe to Achieve grants are backed by £30,000 in funding. The funding was made available by Torbay Council to help local clubs return to sport following the pandemic and to support elite athletes in achieving their dreams. The funding recognises the positive impact that sport can have on both people’s physical and mental health.
The Back to Sport grant was created to help support local clubs with additional costs that have been incurred since COVID hit in March 2020. Funding will support the purchase of extra equipment, safety needs, the delivery of coaching courses and the delivery of sports sessions within local schools.
The clubs that have been successful are Brixham Archers, Brixham Town Football Club, Paignton Canoe Club, Paignton Rugby Club, Swim Torquay, Torbay Table Tennis Academy, Torquay Rowing Club, Up and Running Torbay, Babbacombe Cricket Club, Barton Cricket Club, HealthScape CIC, South Devon School of Gymnastics and Torre Table Tennis Club.
Four talented young athletes have also been awarded funding as part of the Believe to Achieve grant. Abi Martin, from South Devon School of Gymnastics, Lauren McGinnis from Churston Golf Club and Jakub Piwowar and Kacper Piwowar from Torbay Table Tennis Club have received funding to help with the costs associated with their training, equipment and competition fees and expenses.
All of the clubs and athletes who have been awarded grant funding will be at a special Community Day and VIP reception being held as part of Torquay United’s game against Kings Lynn Town on Saturday 23 October.
Cllr Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council, said: “Sport and physical activity is so important for not only people’s physical well-being but for their mental health as well. This is why we are committed to spending a record amount to support sport in Torbay. As you can see, we are awarding grants to a really diverse selection of clubs in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, as well as some really promising young sports people. We will shortly be unveiling another new scheme called ‘Work Out to Help Out’ that is aimed at encouraging residents to get active again by returning to our sports facilities. In the meantime, may I congratulate all of the clubs and individuals who successfully applied for funding.”
Cllr Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council, said: “I would like to congratulate all of the local sports clubs and elite athletes who have been awarded grant funding. This is the first major investment in grassroots sport for several years and an exciting time for sport in the Bay in general. These grants are a part of our £150,000 commitment to supporting both clubs and individuals and I look forward to congratulating them all in person at the Community Day. And hopefully watching a Torquay United victory as well.”
Jim Parker, Sport Torbay chairman, said; “This is the first significant council investment in sport for a long time and I would like to say a big thankyou to the current administration and officers. What a great way to celebrate. Big thanks as well to Torquay United and especially chief executive officer George Edwards and director Mel Hayman. I know they are keen for the club to sit at the heart of the community and this is a great way to do just that.”
Sports Clubs can still apply for Back to Sport funding and individuals for Believe to Achieve. To find out more, visit: www.torbay.gov.uk/leisure-sports-and-community/sports/sports-grants
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