Sportsmatch

Important announcement

sportsmatch in Scotland are pleased to announce the following change to the application process.

The set closing and panel dates are being withdrawn with immediate effect. This will allow eligible clubs and organisations to submit their applications for matched funding at any time, with applications being considered as they are received.

It is anticipated that applicants will receive details of the outcome within four to six weeks of receipt of a fully completed application.

SPORTSMATCH is an award scheme that supports grass roots sport projects that encourage participation at community level, especially youth groups. In Scotland, SPORTSMATCH is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by sportscotland.

SPORTSMATCH aims to match commercial business sponsorship on a £ for £ basis and has three primary objectives:

1. to encourage businesses to sponsor community sports
2. to foster lasting partnerships between business and community sport
3. to further develop and improve community access to sport through quality business sponsorships

Who can apply?

Any not-for-profit group such as a sports club, local authority, governing body of sport, school etc. can apply.

How does it work?

We aim to match sponsorship fees on a £ for £ basis. Although applicants are expected to be from not-for-profit groups, sponsors can come from any profit-distributing business, whether a bank, restaurant or local jeweller.

We recommend that you have at most 3 sponsors per project, each contributing at least £500. Sponsorship can last between one and three years for any one project. Funding must be applied for annually.

Sponsorship can be in cash or in kind with regards sporting equipment.

Applications are viewed by a panel on a competitive basis as there tends to be more bids than there are funds available.

What size are the awards?

Awards start at a minimum of £500 and go up to £10,000 per project.

What should the award be used for?

Sponsored projects should aim to include either increased participation at the grass roots level, new or enhanced activities, or activities that provide links to the local community and ensure long term benefits.

Priority will be given to projects which can be seen to benefit young people, disabled people, ethnic minorities, school related projects, or projects in rural or urban recreationally deprived areas.