With the Olympic Games just around the corner, the emphasis on the importance of keeping active and improving fitness is stronger than ever. Gwynedd Council is playing its part by providing a number of sporting organisations in Gwynedd with financial support from a fund which promotes physical activities throughout the county.
Thanks to the Gwynedd Community Chest, 12 sporting organisations will be receiving financial support worth a total of nearly £14,000 between them to develop activities, promote the importance of being active and keeping fit and improve current resources. Among some of the successful applications are basketball teams, an athletic club and a diving club – all of which will receive money from the Gwynedd Community Chest.
Applications were received from all over Gwynedd, from Bangor in the north to Coed y Brenin in the south.
David Lloyd-Williams, Gwynedd Council’s Sports Development Officer said:
“From athletics to basketball, gymnastics to karate the aim of the Chest is to support a variety of sports from across the county. Sports clubs and organisations play a vital part in our community and it is important that they receive as much support as possible. It is great to see that the money from the Gwynedd Community Chest is continuing to support so many sports clubs and organisations in Gwynedd.
“The panel are keen to receive applications from organisations who wish to develop new and exciting projects, which encourage exercise in a natural environment. This year, due to the Olympic Games and a special campaign being run by Sports Wales to overcome social hurdles through sport, a great sum of £101,000 is available to sporting organisations in Gwynedd.
“It is hoped that Gwynedd clubs and organisations will take advantage of the increase interest in sports due to the London 2012 Olympics. We would urge all Gwynedd sporting organisations to contact us for guidance on the application process.”
A total of 12 organisations have been successful on this occasion:
Welsh Traditional Karate Federation – The funding will be used to organise coaching qualification courses and run first aid and child protection courses for local clubs.
Bangor Gymnastics Club – Money from the fund will be used to qualify two members on a Level 2 Coaching Course
Penrhyndeudraeth Juniors Football Club – Funding will contribute towards coach education within the club in line with the Welsh Football Trust’s Accreditation scheme. Coaches will attend Welfare, First Aid and Football Leaders Courses. The club have also received funding for more equipment to cater for the additional interest and increased numbers.
Cwmni Caban Gerlan Cyf – The funding will enable the centre to purchase bicycles and safety equipment to offer bike hire to locals and tourists. The project will take advantage of the improvement work carried out on Lon Las Ogwen and the ‘Eco Friendly’ bike shelter recently built at the Caban.
Menai Track and Field – Money will be used to purchase 365 Athletics equipment to enhance the training at the club as well as improve the coaching provision by sending three members on an Athletics Coach course and two on an Athletics Assistant coaching course.
Dyffryn Nantlle Basketball Club – The funding will be used to establish a new Basketball club in the area which is based at Plas Silyn Leisure Centre. Funding will aid the club in running initial training/Coaching sessions by purchasing equipment and paying for facility hire. The club will also send two members on a Lever 1 Basketball Course and a further two on a Basketball leaders Course.
Coed y Brenin Dragons (Family Mountain Bike Club) – Funding for the project will contribute towards qualifying ten club members on First Aid, four on Trial Cycle Leaders and one on a GO MTB Course. In addition to this, funds will enable the club to purchase first aid and safety equipment.
Bangor Basketball Club – Funding will contribute towards expanding the club by sending six Coaches on a Basketball Level 1 Course and two on UKCC Level 2 Basketball. Additional funding will allow the club to purchase size 6 balls which are now required for the under 14’s team.
Gwynedd Wheelchair Sports Association – Funding will allow the Association to run a three day event at Arfon Tennis Centre promoting the different inclusive sports available for disabled and non disabled children/people in Gwynedd. The Event will be showcasing the activities in order to give more people the opportunity to see what’s available and take part. The association hopes this will enable its clubs to gain more members as well as additional volunteers which are essential to the clubs’ success. The clubs which will be part of the day will include Shooting, Archery, Boccia and Wheelchair Basketball.
Eryri Basketball Association – As part of Gwynedd Sports Development’s work to develop Basketball in recent years a number of clubs have been established and the Eryri Basketball will work as an umbrella Association for theses clubs. The funding will enable Eryri Basketball Association to fund a league structure by paying for initial facility hire, essential equipment and also to ensure that referees and table officials are qualified.
Bangor Billidowcars Diving Club – The money will be used to pay to qualify a coach on a UKCC Level 2 Diving Course to improve the provision available to the club’s members.
Prom Llanllyfni – The application will allow the local groups to hire the Village Hall and qualify one of its members to run Sumba Dance Classes in Llanllyfni. Funding will also provide essential equipment and First Aid/Health and Safety training for the Leaders.
This year a total of £101,000 is available for sporting organisations in Gwynedd. The remaining dates to make an application for 2012 – 2013 are as follows:
Meeting Closing date for application
11 June, 2012 21 May, 2012
16 July, 2012 25 June, 2012
3 September, 2012 13 August, 2012
5 November, 2012 15 October, 2012
4 February, 2013 14 January, 2013
For an application form for Gwynedd Community Chest funding, contact Gwynedd Council’s Sport Development Service on 01758 704010. To receive guidance on the application process, contact Elwyn Jones, Gwynedd Council’s Sport Development Manager on 01758 704067 or David Lloyd-Williams, Gwynedd Council’s Assistant Sport Development Officer on 01758 704057.
