Sports funding

Active4Today offers funding and support to individuals and clubs to support the development of sporting activity within Newark and Sherwood.

Active4Today are delighted to offer a grant funding scheme designed to empower and nurture the growth of sporting activities throughout the Newark and Sherwood district.

Our Grant Aid Scheme welcomes applications from Newark and Sherwood-based voluntary sports clubs, sports coaches, officials, volunteers, and talented individuals*. This scheme is aimed at creating more opportunities to become physically active and supporting talented athletes to supplement their sports training and exercise in our leisure centres.

Whether you’re introducing exciting new activities or expanding those already available, we’re here to help you enrich the variety and quality of sporting, recreational, and leisure opportunities for everyone - ultimately inspiring healthier, more active lifestyles across our communities.

It’s important to note that applications should primarily benefit people living in the district of Newark and Sherwood. Grant applications are all carefully considered, and decisions are made at the discretion of the panel, unfortunately we are unable to award retrospective applications.

The application form has been thoughtfully designed to be easy to use but if you’d like to chat through your ideas, need guidance before submitting, or wish to learn more about the different funding options available, our team is always on hand to support you and can be reached by emailing sportsdevelopment@active4today.co.uk

*Terms and conditions and criteria apply.

General Grant information

Most of the questions on the application form are straightforward and we're here to help every step of the way. If you have any queries, wish to chat through your application ideas before submitting, or would like to explore the various funding options available, please don't hesitate to reach out to a member of the sports development team. We'll gladly review your application together to ensure it meets all the essential grant criteria and give you the best chance of success.

Active4Today Ltd
Telephone: 01636 655780
Email: sportsdevelopment@active4today.co.uk

Remember to check your sport has a recognised National Governing Body (e.g. The FA, The ECB, England Hockey etc.) through Sport England, prior to submitting an application. You can do this by clicking here

Next steps for your application

Once we’ve received your completed application, a dedicated member of our team will carefully review it, and you’ll receive an email letting you know that your application is in progress. Our support is always available to help you put your best foot forward and our team will seek clarification on any uncertainties in your application providing every chance for your proposal to shine. If we need any additional information to support your application, we’ll be in touch to guide you through the next steps.

When all the necessary details have been finalised, your application will be considered by our Awarding Panel at their next scheduled meeting. We’ll ensure you are informed of the outcome and any award conditions within 10 working days, so you’re never left wondering about the status of your application. Should your application not be successful, you’ll have 14 days from the date of the notification to request a review.

Please remember, to give everyone a fair chance, we are unable to fund purchases made before your grant is officially approved—so hold off on buying or ordering goods or services until you have received written confirmation from us that your award has been successful.

 We’re excited to support you through this journey and look forward to helping you make the most of this opportunity!

Important Dates and Panel information

Our Grant Aid Panel brings together two dedicated Board Members from Active4Today Ltd and a member of the Senior Management Team, all committed to supporting your sporting ambitions.

Our Sports Development Officers will carefully review your application before it reaches the panel, ensuring it’s presented in the best possible light. The panel will then evaluate your submission against the criteria outlined in the application form, always aiming to give you every opportunity for success.

If your application isn’t successful this time, please know it hasn’t been rejected without good reason. We’re here to help you strengthen your application, and you’re welcome to apply again once you’ve addressed the specific criteria.

For your application to be considered, please submit it at least two weeks before the panel date. There are four opportunities each year to have your application reviewed, so you’re never far from your next funding opportunity. Below are the upcoming application closure dates for your diary!

  • Monday 9th March 2026
  • Monday 25th May 2026
  • Monday 28th September 2026
  • Monday 8th February 2027

Notification of outcome

We’ll let you know the outcome of your application within five working days of each panel meeting.
While there isn’t a formal appeal process, you can email us at sportsdevelopment@active4today.co.uk within 14 days of receiving your outcome notification to request a review.

Condition of Grants

  • The applicant must obtain approval for any changes to the original project outline.
  • In the event of a grant aided asset becoming surplus to requirements, this should be returned for reallocation or disposal.
  • The applicant will agree to submit progress reports, as deemed appropriate, and a post event/project evaluation report in order to measure the value and impact of the sports grant aid scheme.
  • By accepting the award, the applicant agrees to comply with all statutory laws such as Town and Country Planning Legislation, Licensing Law etc as deemed necessary.
  • The grant must be spent within 12 months of receipt, otherwise we may request any under spend to be reallocated or returned. Any requests for an extension to the grant period must be submitted in writing to us.
  • Applications will only be considered when submitted using the online form, duly completed and signed and with all supporting documentation attached.
  • If the project involves young people, the applicant may be required to attend additional training such as ‘Safeguarding Children and Young People’ as deemed appropriate and to comply with any reasonable requests to attend on-going training opportunities.
  • You must not buy or order any goods or services until you receive written confirmation that your grant has been approved.

Equal Opportunities

  • Active4Today Ltd are keen to receive applications from all sections of the community.
  • All groups and individuals who receive support will be expected to follow current equal opportunity policy and practice in relation to management, employment practices, service delivery and training provision, and not to engage in any discriminatory activity.

Talented Individual

This grant is dedicated to empowering talented individuals to reach their individual aims and aspirations. To be eligible for this opportunity, your permanent home address must be in the district of Newark and Sherwood.

We recognise the commitment it takes to represent your country. Applicants must have been selected by their sport’s National Governing Body to compete and represent their country at the time of applying for this award. Your chosen sport must also be officially recognised by Sport England.

As part of our commitment to your progression, we are delighted to award a complimentary 12-month membership to an Active4Today Ltd leisure centre for those who meet the required eligibility criteria. A higher priority will be given to applications from those who are not currently receiving financial support from other sources as we wish to help as many deserving athletes as possible.

To make the process straightforward, you must complete the online application form and submit a completed reference from your highest-level coach or national governing body performance representative as part of the submission. If we require further information, a member of our team will reach out to you or your coach as part of our application review.

If your application is successful, we will be in touch via email within 10 working days of the panel meeting, providing you with clear guidance and next steps to help you make the most of this opportunity.

We value your feedback during and after your 12-month free access period and we will ask you to complete a brief evaluation of your time using our centres. Your insights, which may include photographs or short recorded media clips, will help us understand your progress and the impact of the grant on your development.

If you have previously received support from us, you are invited to apply again provided you continue to meet the criteria and at least 12 months have passed since your last application. We look forward to supporting your ongoing journey towards sporting excellence!

Documents needed to complete this application – 

Talented Individuals - Referee Form (DOCX, 14.45KB)

Criteria Summary
Residence Must be a current resident, or have a home address in the district of Newark and Sherwood
Home Ground Must have home ground/base located in the district of Newark and Sherwood
Level of Competition Must be competing on the national/international stage for their home country
Reference Must provide a reference from highest level coach or National Governing Body with the application, that confirms representation
Section Content detail
About you Correspondence with all applicants will be made via a valid email address.
Sporting information If the applicant is from a team sport please provide a world ranking for the national representative team they are currently a member of (for example England Youth, world ranking 7).
Support available A free access pass to one of our leisure centres is available for individuals meeting the qualifying criteria. Please let us know if you are receiving financial assistance from other sources.
Other supporting comments and information Please use this space to provide any other information that will support your application. Are you an active volunteer in your club or the community? Have you achieved any coaching awards?
Referee Form Must be completed and submitted at the time of application. 
Your reference must be completed by the coach who is coaching you at your highest level, ie national coach. 
We may contact the name referee for further information. 
Active4Today are unable to process applications without a valid reference being provided

Apply Now

Coach and Official Development

This fund aims to support coaches and officials who live or coach in the Newark and Sherwood District by providing financial support towards course fees.

Applications are welcomed from individuals who are making a positive difference through volunteering within Newark and Sherwood, as this is a key part of our eligibility for grants. Our aim is to help you continue your valuable contribution to the local sporting community.

Applicants are invited to apply for support with more than one course. To help as many people as possible, we can award no more than 50% of each course fee, up to a maximum of £150 per person in any one year, starting from the date of your most recent application. For further clarity, please refer to the helpful examples provided in the table below.

To ensure your application is processed smoothly, please include a completed referee form and referee contact details with your online submission. These details help us verify your invaluable voluntary contributions and club involvement and allow us to gather any additional information that will strengthen your application. Applications will only be processed after all required documents have been received.

If your application is successful, we are committed to letting you know the outcome within 10 days of the panel’s decision. Our aim is to keep you informed and supported at every stage of your development journey.

After you have completed your course, please provide evidence of your attendance so that we can release the approved grant amount. You can do this simply by emailing a copy of your certificate to sportsdevelopment@active4today.co.uk.

You have 12 months from your application date to submit this evidence. If you encounter any delays in receiving your certificate, please get in touch, we are here to help and may be able to offer an extension if needed.

Once we have received your evidence, our finance team will arrange for the grant to be paid by bank transfer to the account detailed in your application, this could be a club or personal account.

We value your feedback and, upon completion of your qualification, will kindly ask you to fill in a short evaluation to share your progress and let us know how the grant has assisted you and your club, this could be completed by email or a short, recorded clip.

We are always pleased to receive further applications from coaches and officials. As long as you continue to meet the criteria, have not exceeded your £150 individual allocation, or it has been more than 12 months since your last application, please feel free to apply again. We are here to help you continue your journey in coaching and officiating.

Documents needed to complete this application – 

Coach and Official Development - Referee Form (DOCX, 27.85KB)

Criteria Summary
Residence Must be a current resident, or have a home address in the district of Newark and Sherwood
Course details Must be a course/qualification recognised by the sports National Governing Body or Active4Today
Section Content detail
About you

Correspondence with all applicants will be made via email.

Please contact your National Governing Body (NGB) if you are unsure if your club has achieved or are working towards Clubmark/club accreditation
Present coaching/officiating activity

Present coaching activity example answers:

I coach the under 8’s hockey team on a weekly basis which consists of training practices, followed by monthly tournaments.

I referee on a weekly basis on youth football league matches usually with the under 13 age group. I also officiate at cup finals and tournaments when required.
Level of grant aid sought

Applicants can apply for up to 50% towards the course fee and individuals are only eligible for a maximum of £150 in a year. Please see examples below:

If your umpiring course cost is £150, you will be eligible for 50% of the course fee, £75.

If your coaching course is £600, the maximum an individual is eligible for is £150, so you can only apply for a maximum of £150.

Applicants can apply for more than one course however they must not exceed the £150 individual limit in one year (which is taken from the date the individual last applied), and no more than 50% per course fee will be awarded.

Apply Now

Community Engagement

Each year, there are six awards of £250 available to help support your club’s open door events or the launch of new sessions within your club structure. These grants are designed to encourage greater participation in sport and physical activity across the district. Our primary goal is to help you create more opportunities for people to get involved in sports and physical activity, so for your Community Engagement Award application to be successful, it’s important to show why the open-door event or new session is needed.

The fund is specifically for voluntary, not-for-profit sports clubs based in Newark and Sherwood. To be eligible, your group must have a constitution and a separate bank account in the club’s name. Please note, commercial and statutory organisations are not eligible for these grants.

We are pleased to welcome applications from organisations that have previously received funding from us. The maximum award available is £250 within any financial year, running from 1st April to 31st March.

If your application is successful, our finance team will promptly begin the payment process and transfer the grant amount directly to the club bank account provide in your application.

After your project has taken place, we will ask you to share evidence of its impact. This could be through a short evaluation, and may include photographs or brief video clips capturing the event.

We look forward to celebrating the positive difference your club makes in the community.

Documents needed to complete this application – 
Club constitution, Club financial statement, 3 (most recent) months club bank statements 

Section Content detail
Club information

Must be a developmental club (including having Clubmark or equivalent in place)

Must have their home ground/base located in the district of Newark and Sherwood Must be a not-for-profit sports club

Must be a not-for-profit sports club
Events Must have improved accessibility for residents of Newark and Sherwood at its heart
Need assessment Must clearly demonstrate the need both within the club and wider community
Additional information Supporting documents must be included with the application
Criteria Summary
About your organisation Please give details of the lead contact name from your organisation for the application. Your organisation must be based within Newark and Sherwood district and be primarily for Newark and Sherwood residents.
Event description

Tell us what the event will actually deliver. Is it a sport activity programme or a single event?

What will be achieved by delivering the event and why does your club/organisation want to do it?

Please tell us when the event will start and end. All projects must be completed and funding spent within 12 months of the start date.

Grants will not be awarded if the event has started or has already taken place.
People who will benefit from this event

Tell us who will benefit, who are you targeting and why. Please give approximate numbers of attendees in the groups listed.

Please highlight details of links to existing local or national campaign and initiatives. Does it link to schools or existing opportunities in the district? Is this event part of a bigger programme and a partnership with other organisations and groups?

Please demonstrate how you know this event is needed in the area. Have you undertaken a community survey and this has been identified as an area your residents would like to develop and support?

Has a pilot project already taken place which was well attended? Have you got a waiting list at a particular age group and need money to extend capacity?

Please describe what publicity and marketing will be done to promote the event and event to ensure maximum impact.

The Panel place a higher priority on applications that demonstrate sustainability and continuation beyond the end of the project. Please give details of how the activities will be financed in future without grant support.
Event Budget

Please provide a list of costs for all items required to deliver the event. These can include coaching and in kind volunteer fees, facility hire, equipment and marketing and promotion.

Please also include details of contributions from other sources, including any entry fees or subscriptions.

Applicants that have raised funds or obtained contributions towards their event costs will be considered a higher priority and will receive more favourable consideration.
Other supporting comments and information Use this space to tell us if your club/organisation has achieved Clubmark accreditation, affiliations to other organisations including National Governing Bodies, safeguarding and health and safety.

Apply Now

Club Development/Project

There are two funding rounds each year, with awards of up to £1,000 available for projects lasting up to 12 months. This funding is designed to help your club deliver a one-off sports project or event that enhances access to sporting opportunities, whether through improved facilities or new activities, within the Newark and Sherwood district.

We place a strong emphasis on sustainability. To maximise the chance of your Club Development/Project Award being successful, please detail how you will ensure your event or project can continue independently in the future, when our support comes to an end.

This fund is open to voluntary, not-for-profit sports clubs located in Newark and Sherwood. To be eligible, your club must have a formal constitution and a separate bank account in the group’s name. Please note, commercial and statutory bodies are not eligible to apply.

To support your application, you must include your organisation’s three most recent bank statements, a copy of your latest annual accounts, and your club’s constitution or governing document for your online application to be submitted.

We are pleased to consider applications from community sports clubs that have previously benefited from our funding. However, please note that the maximum any organisation can receive is £1,000 in any given financial year (1 April – 31 March).

The final amount awarded will be at the panel’s discretion. If you are applying for a project that has already received funding from us, please be aware that subsequent awards will be gradually reduced over three years (for example, year two may be funded at up to 50% of the year one amount, and year three at up to 50% of the year two amount). This approach is designed to help your project or event become self-sustaining over time.

If your application is successful, our finance team will arrange payment by bank transfer to the account specified in your application. After your project concludes, we kindly ask that you complete a brief evaluation form to let us know how things went and how the grant has helped your club’s development.

Documents needed to complete this application – 
Club Constitution, Club financial statement, 3 (most recent) months club bank statements.

Criteria Summary
Club information

Must be a developmental club (including having Clubmark or equivalent in place)

Must have their home ground/base located in the district of Newark and Sherwood

Must be a not-for-profit sports club
Event Must have improved accessibility for residents of Newark and Sherwood at its heart
Needs assessment Must clearly demonstrate the need both within the club and wider community
Additional information Supporting documents must be included with the application
Section Content detail
About your organisation

Please give details of the lead contact name from your organisation for the application.

Your organisation must be based within Newark and Sherwood district and be primarily for Newark and Sherwood residents.
Project description

Tell us what the project will actually deliver. Is it a sport activity programme or a single event? What will be achieved by delivering the project and why does your club/organisation want to do it?

Please tell us when the project will start and end. All projects must be completed and funding spent within 12 months of the start date. Grants will not be awarded if the project has started or has already taken place.
People who will benefit from this project

Tell us who will benefit, who are you targeting and why. Please give approximate numbers of attendees in the groups listed.

Please highlight details of links to existing local or national campaign and initiatives. Does it link to schools or existing opportunities in the district? Is this project part of a bigger programme and a partnership with other organisations and groups?

Please demonstrate how you know this project is needed in the area. Have you undertaken a community survey and this has been identified as an area your residents would like to develop and support? Has a pilot project already taken place which was well attended? Have you got a waiting list at a particular age group and need money to extend capacity?

Please describe what publicity and marketing will be done to promote the project and event to ensure maximum impact.

The Panel place a higher priority on applications that demonstrate sustainability and continuation beyond the end of the project. Please give details of how the activities will be financed in future without grant support.
Project Budget

Please provide a list of costs for all items required to deliver the project/event. These can include coaching and in-kind volunteer fees, facility hire, equipment and marketing and promotion.

Please also include details of contributions from other sources, including any entry fees or subscriptions.

Applicants that have raised funds or obtained contributions towards their project costs will be considered a higher priority and will receive more favourable consideration.
Other supporting comments and information Use this space to tell us if your club/organisation has achieved Clubmark accreditation, affiliations to other organisations including National Governing Bodies, safeguarding and health and safety.

Apply Now

Kit Sponsorship

We welcome applications for funding to assist with the purchase of a home kit for competitive fixtures, branded with the Active4Today logo. This fund is designed to empower junior teams (from Under 7s to Under 16s), and teams providing sporting opportunities for people with disabilities, playing competitively in an organised structured league/competition for the correct playing season.

Eligibility extends to junior teams affiliated with their National Governing Body, whose main base or home ground is situated within Newark and Sherwood. The teams club must have a constitution in place and hold Clubmark status (or an equivalent accreditation) from Sport England or their relevant sports NGB.

Please note, commercial and statutory bodies, including schools, are not eligible, and teams who have previously benefited from this sponsorship must wait three years before reapplying, ensuring fair access for all.

An annual fund of £1,500 is available, to be distributed among the successful teams. The allocation may vary depending on the panel’s decisions, ensuring funds are awarded where they can make the greatest impact.

Each sponsored team will benefit from a comprehensive three-year support package, which must include:

  1. Provision of junior kit, with the Active4Today logo clearly places on the front of all shirts
  2. Banner (supplied by Active4Today) promoting the sponsorship must be placed around the home ground/pitch (roadside/ club house/grounds)
  3. Acknowledgment of sponsorship on team/club promotions and publicity materials
  4. Active use of social media, tagging Active4Today in posts relating to the team or club
  5. Submission of an annual update via email, sharing your team’s achievements, allowing us to celebrate your successes and offer ongoing support for your development

We are committed to supporting the growth and sustainability of local junior and disability teams, helping them to thrive both on and off the field. We look forward to receiving your application and working together to build a stronger sporting community.

Documents needed to complete this application - Club constitution, Club financial statement, 3 (most recent) months club bank statements.

Criteria Summary
Club information

Must be a club affiliated to their National Governing Body of Sport

Must be a developmental club (including having club mark or equivalent in place)

Must have their home ground/base located in the district of Newark & Sherwood
Team information Must be a junior team (under 16’s) or disability team
Additional information Supporting documents must be included with the application at the time of submission
Section Content detail
About your organisation

Please give details of the lead contact name from your organisation for the application.

Your organisation must be based within Newark and Sherwood district and be primarily for Newark and Sherwood residents.
Application detail Tell us which age group/category the sponsorship is for and explain to us why this team are deserving of the sponsorship package.
People who will benefit from this project/event Tell us who will benefit, where do the players/athletes predominantly live?
Bank account details Please provide the club/organisations bank details to the payment to be transferred by BACs, if successful

Apply Now

Other local funding opportunities

Newark Youth Trust

Newark Youth Trust offers grants or loans to any charitable organisations whose objects are for the benefit of young persons.

Newark Youth Trust is only allowed to make grants to organisations for young people and in particular for the benefit of their education, recreation and leisure, and with the object of improving their conditions of life.

So if you are a local youth group or sports team looking for funding for kit or equipment get in touch.

www.newarkyouthtrust.co.uk

County Councillors Divisional Fund

The County Councillors' Divisional Fund gives every County Councillor £5,000 to spend on projects, people and organisations in their areas.

More information can be found by visiting - NCC County Councillors Divisional Fund

NSDC Community Funding

There are a number of grants and development awards available local residents, sports clubs or business. For more information please visit - https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/grantsandawards/

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