Redcar and Cleveland invest £500,000 in community sports

Cabinet members at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council will be updated on the distribution of £500,000 of funding to support voluntary grass roots sports clubs across the borough when they meet on Tuesday, June 10.

Of the total funding, £320,000 has been distributed through grants to 19 local clubs, with individual awards ranging from £5,000 to £31,000. 

The remaining £180,000 is to be used as match funding on a £2.15m grant funding bid which if successful would see the development of seven new Playzones across the area.

The investment is designed to:

• ensure clubs have fit-for-purpose facilities for long-term sustainability;
• increase participation in sport across the borough;
• improve access for women, girls, and under-represented groups;
• support the delivery of national and local health and sport strategies.

Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Welfare, Cllr Ursula Earl, said:

“This programme is a big step forward in our mission to build a healthier, more active borough.

“By investing in our local sports clubs, we’re not only improving facilities but also creating and maintaining places that bring people together, reduce health inequalities, and support the resilience of our local communities.”

Head Coach of East Cleveland Basketball Club, Thomas Robinson, added:

“The funding will be used to purchase two FIBA-standard gameday hoops for our competitive teams, alongside six height-adjustable goals, allowing us to deliver age-appropriate training for our younger players.

“Having a facility tailored to our needs provides a strong foundation for the club’s continued growth and long-term success—something that would not have been possible without this funding. We are sincerely grateful to Stephen and the entire team behind the Grassroot Sports Grant for their support and collaboration.”

Chairman of Guisborough Squash Club, Terry Cooper, added:

“I've been chairman of Guisborough Squash Club for the last 30 years. It was a great relief to receive the grant funding to repair our leaking roof and the support from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council - we're now able to continue to host and play squash into this year and for many years ahead.” 

Geraldine Williams, founder of Grangetown Netball Club, said:

“Grangetown Netball Club has been running for 44 years and now has over 400 members throughout all age groups from juniors to our elite players, and those getting back into netball.

“Getting this funding means we can cater for all these age groups and abilities. It also means that we can reach more young girls and be able to cater for them too - the more people we can support, the better.”

The funding is expected to deliver wide-ranging benefits, including:

• improved health through increased physical activity;
• enhanced community cohesion;
• crime reduction by providing structured activities for young people;
• educational benefits through the development of life skills such as teamwork and leadership;
• economic impact via local job creation and business opportunities linked to facility upgrades.

Each funded project has been developed in consultation with local communities and supported by key partners including Sport England, National Governing Bodies, and local school sports partnerships.