Funding & Support - Did you know…?

 

Individuals involved in the RFUW Regional Programme may be able to secure funding and/or support from the following sources:

 

1.         District Councils - ‘Sports Grants for Talented Individuals’ or ‘Talented Sports Performer Grants’

 

The majority of district councils offer financial support to talented sporting individuals who are residents of their district. The criteria, level of support and amount available will vary from district to district. Talented individuals can usually apply for grant assistance to subsidise any of the following:

 

·             Sports equipment

·             Travel expenses

·             Clothing (specific to the sport)

·             Competition/ entry fees

·             Training costs

 

For further information and to see if this type of grant is available in your area please contact your local district council.

 

2.         ‘The Dickie Bird Foundation’

http://www.thedickiebirdfoundation.org/

 

            The Dickie Bird Foundation accepts applications from individuals. The foundations aim is ‘to assist financially disadvantaged young people under 18 years of age to participate, to the best of their ability, in the sport of their choice irrespective of their social circumstances, culture or ethnicity and to ensure that, in doing so, they improve their chances both inside and outside sport.” Your application will be considered if you are unable to raise the necessary finance required as a result of impoverished circumstances. You will need to show that you are unable to raise the finance necessary through any other means. The foundation is able to support grants of between £100 and £5,000.

 

3                    ‘RFUW Regional Programme Hardship Fund’

 

The RFUW provide a Regional Programme Hardship Fund. The Hardship Fund is limited; therefore we have set some very simple criteria for players to discern whether or not they are eligible to apply:

 

·               Senior Players are eligible if they are receiving any means tested benefits (Income Support/Incapacity Benefit)

·               U15s and U18s players are eligible if they are receiving free school dinners and/or parents are receiving any mean tested benefits

 

The Hardship Fund consists of two funding levels; £50 and £30. Therefore, there will still be a small balance to pay even if your application is successful. There is a simple process that can be followed for those that would like to apply for this assistance. Please visit the regional page at www.rfu.com/women for further information. Please note the deadlines for application to the Hardship Fund are as follows:

 

·               Senior players deadline date – Friday 22nd January 2010

·               U15s & U18s player’s deadline date – Friday 29th January 2010

 

This year the RFUW has also introduced a Students Fund for any player studying at University. £35 is available as a contribution towards the Regional Programme fee. To apply, you will need to indicate on your application form that you are a student and then send in proof of your student status to Holly Hart, RFUW, Rugby House, Rugby Road , Twickenham, Middlesex , TW1 1DS . Acceptable proof for this fund includes a photocopy of your student card or any correspondence from the university that includes your name, address and student number.

 

If you have any questions about either of these funds please contact Holly Hart on hollyhart@rfu.com or 020 8831 7482.

 

4.         FACS – ‘Free Access for County Sports People’

 

The FACS scheme is open to young people who are representatives at county standard or above. If you are competing/ training at regional standard you may be eligible to access the local leisure centres in your area for free! Each borough will vary therefore for terms and conditions please call your local leisure team for further information. You must be a resident of the borough/ district you apply to join.