June 02, 2025 - 837 views
With the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in June, the Women's Euro 2025 in Switzerland in July, and the Women's Rugby World Cup in England in September, the country is looking forward to an exciting summer of sport. And, thanks to a funding initiative being launched today, the young people of North Wales can get involved in the action and get fit too.
Called the Summer Sports Fund, the scheme was first launched in 2023 by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin as the Summer Soccer Fund, in partnership with the Football Association of Wales.
It has since expanded to include all sports and now returns for another year. The idea is that clubs and youth organisations apply for the funding to put on sporting activities for young people throughout the summer break.
As well as keeping fit, one of the other aims of the Summer Sports Fund is to help combat issues of anti-social behaviour (ASB), which can often spike over the summer months, by keeping children and young people occupied in a positive way, promoting teamwork, exercise, and a fun and inclusive atmosphere.
The Commissioner has allocated £25,000 to support projects and is hoping to support 25 organisations across North Wales. Therefore, a maximum of £1,000 will be available for each project.
Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, commented: “Sport is an excellent way of establishing friendships, self-confidence, and positivity among young people, especially when they are away from the routine of school life and can also help reduce instances of ASB by offering other ways of expending energy.
“That’s why I am delighted to once again launch my Summer Sports Fund. Since it first began it’s proved an extremely popular fund and I am pleased that I have been able to help so many organisations, communities and young people to benefit from the fun, self-discipline, and exercise that you get from sport. I hope it will once again make a real difference to the young people of North Wales during the summer holidays.
“Supporting communities and reducing anti-social behaviour in North Wales is a crucial part of my plan for fighting crime in North Wales and the Summer Sports Fund is a positive example of my plan in action. I would encourage any club or community organisation that thinks they are eligible for funding to apply now.”
To be eligible for funding, applicants are asked to complete a short application form by midnight on Friday, 27 June. This year, the process has been made even easier, with the launch of an online application form. The project must be based in North Wales and work with children and young people up to and including 17 years old.
The project must explain how they will tackle issues of anti-social behaviour or be linked to the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan. All organisations will need to ensure they have a safeguarding policy and/or child protection policy and that all staff and volunteers have completed relevant DBS checks. It is preferred that the project includes an element of match funding, but this is not essential.
The grant cannot be used to fund an individual, organisations established to make profit, or work that statutory bodies (such as schools or local authorities) have a duty to fund. Applications will not be considered from Local Government, Prisons, NHS bodies or projects that take place outside of the UK.
To find out more and apply visit: www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk/summer-sports-fund
