The sporting sponsorship programme Sportsmatch was re-launched in May 2008 by Sport England. Sportsmatch will match fund donations given by sponsors to sports organisations to aid their development. It can match sponsorship which has been given to an eligible sports body by a company, Trust or private individual to fund projects to encourage new participation at grassroots level. Thus, if for example a local business gave £1,000 in sponsorship to its local swimming club to organise coaching in local schools, Sportsmatch would be able to match that with £1,000 of government money - and thereby double the amount of money available to the club.
The maximum amount of sponsorship monies that can be matched is £50,000 and the minimum is £1,000. Sponsorship support doesn't have to be in cash - in some circumstances in-kind sponsorship can also be matched.
Projects must however be due to be completed by 31st March 2009, due to Government funding requirements.
If you have a project that you feel would be eligible, please go to the Sportsmatch website for details of the online application process – www.sportsmatch.co.uk
