Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport reveals positive hopes for Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant
Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden MS, revealed her hope that the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant would be extended to next financial year during Plenary in the Senedd on Wednesday 22 November.
Facing a question from Jane Bryant MS on the effect of the cost-of-living crisis on grassroots sport and the mounting financial pressures on community clubs to keep up with rising energy costs, the Deputy Minister stated:
“The impact of the cost-of-living crisis continues to be felt in the sport sector. The Welsh Government is providing additional financial support through Sport Wales to our national governing bodies to assist with their bespoke interventions.
“Sport Wales this year made the unusual move to support energy costs via their energy savings grant in recognition of the difficulties that grassroots sports clubs are experiencing, and that has allowed clubs to access up to £25,000 for energy efficiency upgrades such as solar panel installations, and so on.
“That funding for this year has ended,” she continued, “but I’m hopeful that it will reopen again in the next financial year. Of course, there is also the Welsh Government-funded Be Active fund, which is there to support grassroots sport.”
Find this extract and the full Plenary session here.
With sporting facilities, clubs and organisations continuing to face existential challenges due to increased costs, the Welsh Sports Association (WSA) is happy to hear these comments from the Deputy Minister.
We are aware that a large number of clubs applied to the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant this year and, with the desire from within sport to help reach net-zero ambitions, we are pleased to hear that clubs could receive another opportunity to be successful next year.
Posing her question to the Deputy Minister, Jane Bryant used an example of a grassroots rugby club in her constituency that had had an annual energy bill of £5,000 in 2022 and are set to pay just over £19,000 in 2024.
The WSA recognises the severe challenge that community sports clubs and facilities like this one are facing each month. We will continue to work with Welsh Government, Sport Wales and the Senedd to advocate on behalf of the breadth of our membership base and state the case for investment in the sport and leisure sector at a time where Government support is needed.
The WSA can also support clubs through the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant, courtesy of the Procurement Portal for Sport and Leisure.
Click here to discover how the WSA service can allow your club to make the most of your grant!
