£2250 to help Blackpool Stanley Rugby League Club during current COVID-19 pandemic

Blackpool Stanley Rugby League Club in Blackpool has been awarded £2250 of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund towards Fixed Costs during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

The outbreak of the virus and the consequent shutdown of businesses as of March 23 has left the sport and physical activity sector facing a period of uncertainty.

In response, on March 31 Sport England announced a £195m package to help the sport and physical activity sector through covid-19. Within the package is a £20m Community Emergency Fund, of National Lottery money to deliver immediate funding to those who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but are experiencing short-term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the impact of coronavirus.

The grant will allow Blackpool Stanley to cover fixed costs such as utility bills, building and contents insurance, and maintenance costs which aren’t covered by any other Government scheme.

Simon Hornby, Chairman Blackpool Stanley, said

“As a not for profit community sports club we rely on our clubhouse revenues to maintain the clubhouse and our team activities. Whilst we have been able to suspend our team activities in line with Government Guidelines we have some fixed costs that need to be covered whilst we’re effectively shut in order to sustain the clubhouse. This grant will help see us through to the other side of these unprecedented times and have a clubhouse to bring everyone back together again once the lockdown restrictions permit”

Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England’s Chief Executive, said:

“As the body responsible for the growth of sport and physical activity participation, we want the vital grassroots organisations that make sport and physical activity happen in this country to not just to come through this crisis but to be in a position to thrive again in the future. The £20m Community Emergency fund, made possible by National Lottery players is part of a multimillion pound package of support we are providing to ease the pressure on a huge number of the organisations who are central to the nation’s health and wellbeing.

“We are proud to be able to provide vital funding to Blackpool Stanley Rugby League Club to help it through these extremely challenging times.”