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Sports Foundation grants help keep local clubs operating


By David Porter

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Inverurie Youth Sports Foundation (IYSF) launched a local initiative to support sports clubs in the Garioch area to help them get back on their feet following the Covid-19 lockdown so that they were able to open and offer sports to the local community.

IYSF is committed to supporting local young people to develop in sports, and the charity is now supporting a total of 33 sports.

It has awarded over 60 IYSF grants to 45 scholar-athletes, many of whom representing both Scotland and GB in competitions including the Commonwealth Games, Olympics and other world-class competitions.

IYSF supporting Insch Boxing Club
IYSF supporting Insch Boxing Club

Guided by the charity's values of encouraging young people in sports, and in the spirit of giving, IYSF already provides financial support to several local sports clubs and decided to extend the funding further given the Covid-19 situation.

In August, IYSF launched its Covid-19 Club Recovery Grant.

The IYSF scheme, a temporary fund to help sports clubs, is aimed to support clubs get back up and running following lockdown the Recovery Grant runs until October 31.

The one-off grant of up to £1000 is available to any sports clubs, in the Garioch area, that has an Olympic/ Paralympic or Commonwealth Games pathway.

To date, grants awarded to Inverurie Boxing Club, Garioch Indoor Bowling Club, Garioch Judo Club, Insch Boxing Club, Garioch Gymnastics Club, Kintore United Football Club, Westhill Table Tennis Club and Gordon Riding for the Disabled with applications still coming through.

The much-needed donations have helped clubs to purchase essential equipment required for them to open and operate safely, which has included:

• Sports Specific Equipment including dummies to avoid contact, ball, bibs and more

• Hall hire charges

• Parent/Coach training costs

• Sanitising and cleaning equipment

• Easy clean matting

Sarah Addison, Inverurie Boxing Club said after receiving the grant: "Inverurie Boxing Club were delighted to receive a Covid-19 grant from IYSF.

"Without their help, we wouldn't have been able to open our new premises in Kintore.

"Due to having no income for the last five months meant we didn't have enough money to floor the concrete gym floor with rubber matting and allow us to put all the necessary procedures in place to adhere to the new Covid-19 regulations.

"Thanks to IYSF we were able to open in September for our 100 members who are all absolutely delighted getting back to boxing and enjoying our new premises in Kintore.

"Thank you so much from all our coaches, committee and members for making this happen, it is very much appreciated."

Scott Graham from Kintore United Football Club said: "Kintore United Football Club are delighted to have received a Covid-19 grant from IYSF.

"The grant has allowed over 200 children to return to physical activities within our small village, at a time when children have been restricted with what they can and can't do.

"The grant has allowed us to return to training in a safe and professional manner following government and SFA guidelines."

Calum McCombie from Insch Boxing Club said: "Insch Boxing Club would like to extend our thanks to Inverurie Youth Sports Foundation for the recently received Covid-19 grant , without your help it would have been doubtful that the club would have continued to operate , the money received has helped our small club with re-start up costs which will assist with the continued safe running of the club and most importantly the members personal safety .

"The IYSF is a great funding source for clubs in the Garioch District and Insch Boxing Club are extremely thankful for your commitment towards us”

Bill Conn from the Garioch Indoor Bowling Centre added his praise: “"Garioch Indoor Bowling Centre (GIBC) had applied for various government grants, for help when reopening the centre without any success.

"However, the Inverurie charity The Inverurie Youth Sports Foundation was far more obliging all we simply had to do was complete their application form, and we were kindly accepted and received their financial help for our club which was founded in 1988.

"The committee (all volunteers) were extremely grateful for the generous donation to help us through the difficult financial time following our closure since March 2020.

"Thanks you IYSF"


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