Derby Futsal Club secure National Lottery Sport England Community Emergency Fund

Derby Futsal Club has been awarded National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund towards securing the financial future of 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.

The grant will assist Derby Futsal Club with their cash flow and losses caused by the loss of operations due to the coronavirus. Matt Hardy, Chairman of Derby Futsal Club said:

“It’ll allow us to purchase kit and equipment and pay the up front costs that’ll allow us to start next season. After losing the final four months of 2019/20, including our final NFS (National Futsal Series) home round, our revenue had taken a huge hit, so the fund goes some way to limiting that damage and we are extremely grateful for Sport England’s support.”

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 Derby Futsal Club to help it through these extremely challenging times.”

Further information on the Community Emergency Fund – including seeing if your organisation is eligible and the application process – can be found via https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/community-emergency-fund.