Flutter Boosts Local Sports with $2,616 Grants for 200 Clubs
In line with its commitment to supporting local communities, Flutter UKI is once again offering financial support to grassroots sports clubs through its Cash4Clubs program. This year, 200 sporting organizations across the UK and Ireland will have the chance to apply for grants of £2,000 ($2,616) to enhance their facilities, buy new equipment, run coaching programs, and increase sports participation at the local level.
Last Year’s Success Stories
Previous beneficiaries of the program have seen a substantial impact on their activities. Among last year’s winners were Basa in Rochdale, which offers fitness classes for women over 60, the Gosport Bowmen archery club in Hampshire, and the London Wheelchair Rugby Club, which saw four of its players join the ParalympicsGB team in Paris. According to a report, over 85% of last year’s grantees were able to expand their activities, with 9,000 new participants aged 18 or over engaging in health and fitness programs.
Dame Caroline Dinenage, MP and chair of the cross-party DCMS Select Committee, highlighted the importance of these grants: “These clubs do great work in our communities, bringing people together, getting them active, and developing new skills and passions. This money will make a huge difference.”
Significant Investment in Local Sports
Since its launch in 2008, the Cash4Clubs initiative has seen Flutter invest nearly £6 million ($7.85 million) into community sports through its various brands, including Paddy Power, Sky Betting & Gaming, Betfair, and tombola. The initiative is part of Flutter’s broader commitment to fostering social value and empowering local communities.
Ian Brown, Chief Executive of Flutter UKI, underscored the importance of grassroots sports: “The stunning success of Team GB at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics once again highlighted the power of sport. We hope Cash4Clubs can play an important part in helping at the grassroots level by enabling small clubs to play an even bigger role in their community.”
Partnering with Sported to Tackle Inequality in Sports
The Cash4Clubs program is delivered in partnership with the UK charity Sported. A key focus of this year’s round of grants is supporting clubs in impoverished areas where financial challenges may limit access to sports. Sport England’s 10-year strategy aims to improve the health and well-being of communities through physical activity, but recent reports highlight ongoing barriers to participation in many parts of England.
Sarah Kaye, Chief Executive of Sported, noted: “We continue to see people who are increasingly at risk of being unable to access the benefits of sport because of the growing financial challenges faced by grassroots groups. It’s a privilege to partner with Flutter on Cash4Clubs.”
Stories of Change at the Grassroots Level
Last year, the Cash4Clubs grant made history in Hull, where Welcome House used the funds to establish Acorn FC, a football team composed entirely of refugees and asylum seekers. Acorn FC made a significant impact by playing the first competitive match in the UK between asylum-seeker teams. Shirley Hart of Welcome House expressed her gratitude: “We could not have done this without your grant.”
Craig Streeter, Vice Chairman of the London Wheelchair Rugby Club, also shared how vital the grants are for his club: “These donations help fund anything from tournaments to tape and are essential in the progression of the club and our members.” He encouraged other clubs to apply for the grant, emphasizing the financial support required to sustain a sport like wheelchair rugby.
With this year’s round of Cash4Clubs grants, Flutter UKI continues to drive positive change within local communities, giving grassroots sports organizations the tools they need to thrive.
