FUNDING has been made available for not-for-profit sports clubs to assist them financially during the coronavirus pandemic.

With sporting leagues across the country currently on hold due to Covid-19, a wealth of clubs are currently feeling the impact of a lack of revenue from gate receipts and sponsorship.

The Welsh Government confirmed they are making £200,000 available to provide support, which is being match-funded by Sport Wales to take to total available to £400,000.

Brian Davies, acting CEO of Sport Wales, said: “It really is an unprecedented time for everyone and we’re acutely aware of the challenges to Wales’ sporting infrastructure.

“We’re really grateful to Welsh Government for this additional funding – it really will be a lifeline for community clubs.

“Our staff are working hard to set up an application process for the Emergency Relief Fund that enables us to provide funding as quickly as possible to those who need it most.

“Given the enormity of the current crisis, we anticipate receiving a significant number of applications, and we’ll need to direct funds to where they are most needed.”

Sport Wales and Welsh Government have worked together to identify an initial fund of up to £8.1 million in addition to the Emergency Relief Fund.

This will be used to support sports clubs and well-established partner networks.

“We’re also working through other sources of funding and support so that we maximise the help we can give,” added Davies.

“It’s a quickly changing situation and we are communicating with our partners and clubs as much as possible.

“We will be working closely with our partners over the coming weeks to determine together how best to utilise the fund to support sport in Wales.”

For more information regarding the fund contact emergencyrelief@sport.wales.