A Place for Sport and Crowdfunding – what’s it all about? How can it help my sports club in Wales? How do we get started?
Don’t worry! You’ve come to the right place if you want to find answers. And to get the low-down from someone who has been through the fundraising process, we chatted with Newport Cricket Club Chair, Mike Knight.
In 2022, the club turned to Crowdfunder and raised almost £16,000 and received £6,000 in match-funding from Sport Wales’ A Place for Sport fund. It was so successful, Newport Cricket Club has become the first club in Wales to embark on its second Crowdfunding campaign.
What is A Place for Sport?
Sport Wales has partnered with Crowdfunder to support community clubs and activities to raise money for ‘off-field’ facility improvements. If a club achieves its Crowdfunding target, it also receives match-funding from Sport Wales. Because you are Crowdfunding, people pledge money to support your cause and, in return for their donation, they can receive a reward.
The reward can be anything from a discounted treatment at a nearby spa or a free meal in the local pub. Approach your local business community to see what they can offer to support you. Through Sport Wales’ partnership with Crowdfunder, your club can improve its facilities and everyone who pledges money receives a reward – everyone’s a winner!
Mike, tell us about your first Crowdfunding campaign.
In 2022, we raised enough money to replace our 23-year-old pitch roller.
We run 13 different sides – many of them junior – which means the demand on the grass wickets is very high. The new roller was essential and we were delighted to reach our Crowdfunder target in just 49 days.
What are the benefits of A Place for Sport?
One of the big benefits is that Sport Wales will provide match-funding for ‘off-field’ improvements like changing rooms, clubhouses, kitchen facilities, bike racks, disability access, solar panels, generators, boilers and new fencing.
Sport Wales will provide between 30% and 50% in match-funding, up to £15,000.
As a registered Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC), Newport Cricket Club was also able to claim Gift Aid which was a further £1800 towards our target.
How has A Place for Sport and Crowdfunder helped your club be more inclusive?
As a club, we are really proud of our inclusive work. We have a strong women and girls’ section, we host disability cricket taster days and we work with several cricket clubs that serve diverse communities such as Newport Tigers, Maindee, Newport Asians, Newport Tyrants and Newport Zalmi.
In fact, 43% of the club’s senior membership and 21% of the junior membership comes from BAME communities in the area.
Our fundraising will help us to be even more inclusive because the new mower will mean less time spent preparing the ground which means we can have an extra team training on a Friday evening. As a result, we are planning to set up a new girls’ under 11 side.
Did you have any reservations about Crowdfunding beforehand?
Yes! To be honest, we were sceptical. We didn’t want to ask too much of the parents at our club as they already pay fees and support the club in so many ways. But they decided to support our Crowdfunder appeal and it was the best decision ever! Everyone really got behind us and wanted us to reach our target.
