From: Dave Stubley [DaveStubley@RFU.com]

Sent: 22 January 2012 22:52

To: Dave Stubley

Subject: Inspired Facilities

Dear All,

Inspired Facilities

Inspired facilities http://www.sportengland.org/about_us/places_people_play/inspired_facilities.aspx (the link will take you to the information) is an online application that is open to all sports clubs, schools, colleges, Local Authorities etc clubs can apply for between £20,000 - £50,000 towards building modernisation projects (this covers a wide gambit), floodlight projects etc, the club does not need to have partnership funding and could apply for the full amount. They have earmarked £10m for each round and there are to be 5 rounds

They have deliberately simplified the process to make it easier for smaller clubs and organisations to apply. In the first round which closed in December 2011 there have been 21 rugby projects who have been awarded conditional funding (circa £1m) towards a range of projects from floodlights, to changing rooms, to new kitchens to increased social areas etc.

Of course there is a range of criteria – open constitution, 7 years minimum security of tenure etc and the need to make the application online. However I would welcome the opportunity to work with any  clubs that would like to make an application. I am happy to talk to clubs in more depth about the application process and as I did with a number of successful clubs in round 1,  I am happy to work with them on ensuring that their application is as good as it can be in terms of presentation.

I appreciate that there is no guarantee of success and nationally they funded just over 50% of the applications that they received – however with the fact that they are encouraging good applications  there should be a good opportunity assist a number of clubs in making good and ultimately successful  applications.

Let me know how I can assist in supporting.

Can I suggest that it would be worthwhile specifically flagging to relevant projects within your CB facility audits – I will be chasing up with a number of specific projects within the next couple of weeks.

Regards

Dave

=