Protecting Playing Fields

Playing fields are vital to a vibrant grassroots sports environment, and this programme will enhance the role Sport England already plays in protecting playing fields, by securing the future of many sites for a minimum of 25 years, and helping communities realize the sporting benefits of playing field land.

Budget

£10m National Lottery plus partnership funding over five £2 million funding rounds, with two in 2011/12, two in 2012/13 and one in 2013/14.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applications can be submitted by organisations entitled to receive public funding, voluntary or community organisations, local authorities, sports clubs, playing field associations and education establishments.

Is partnership funding required?

Yes. Partnership funding is required from a non-lottery source; ideally including a third party source. Local authorities will be required to match fund pound-for-pound, whilst sports clubs, community and voluntary sector projects will be required to identify an appropriate level of partnership funding.

Outcomes

• Given the importance of clubs to sport at community level, and the impact we believe we can make right across the country with this investment, we are proposing to make grants of between £20,000 - £50,000
• We aim to invest in and protect 400 playing field sites, creating a tangible legacy in the local community 
• All projects will be required to measure their performance by monitoring sessions delivered and throughput achieved. Further details will be supplied to successful projects as part of the award process.

Projects

We will invest in projects that:

• Offer support from a range of partners to community and voluntary groups and local authorities to protect playing fields
• Create new playing field land
• Bring disused playing fields back into use
• Improve the condition of pitches.