Sport England to help Worsbrough Bridge AFC during current COVID-19 pandemic
Worsbrough Bridge AFC have been awarded valuable financial support of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund towards running costs for the club 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.
Mark Booth, Chairman, said:
“We are hugely grateful to Sport England for the money awarded to help our community club continue and move forward following the outbreak of COVID-19 which has impacted all our lives.
We lost vital income from a number of different areas following the shutdown including what would have been a lucrative Sheffield Senior Cup Semi-Final against Sheffield FC. With a significant number of home fixtures to play due to the poor weather and recent floods, plus summer activities we would have been financially secure going into the new season.
The funding will help us to pay our bills and I want to thank our suppliers and landlords Worsbrough Sports & Development Association for their patience, support and understanding. I also want to thank all our managers, players, supporters and sponsors and our local MP Stephanie Peacock who continue to help us to survive by fundraising and volunteering in what is a difficult period for Grassroots football.
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 Worsbrough Bridge AFC to help it through these extremely challenging times.”