Sports Club Access Scheme
The scheme is designed to reduce the financial barriers faced by some young people and their families to accessing physical activity via club and team sports.
The scheme provides up to £250 per child to cover all, or part of a club sports membership.
Who can apply
It is available to young people living in Mole Valley who are:
- in receipt of free school meals and/or
- whose parents are in receipt of regular universal credit payments
- aged 17 or under
Supporting evidence will be required to prove receipt of universal credit.
The scheme will also consider young people living in Mole Valley:
- who are living or have lived in care.
Sports clubs who are part of the scheme can also refer young people who they believe meet the criteria.
Sports Club Access Scheme grants are one-off grants. Those who have received a grant in the past will only be considered for a further grant under exceptional circumstances, and on a case by case basis.
The local sports clubs who have signed up to be part of the scheme can be found below. If there is a club in Mole Valley that your child is interested in joining but is not listed below please email sport@molevalley.gov.uk
How to apply
The first step is to contact the club directly to arrange a free taster session for the child or young person. Contact details for the clubs involved can be found below. Please note we are not responsible for the content on external websites.
After the taster session
Once a free taster session has been completed, if they wish to join, their parent/support worker will need to complete the Sports Club Access Scheme application form.
Data Processing
When you register your child onto the Sports Club Access Scheme, the information you provide on the registration form will be processed by the Council for the purpose of managing the scheme. The Council will ensure that the information is securely managed and only shared where there is a lawful basis, this includes your child’s name and minimal data being shared with the sporting club they are registering for.
For more information on how the Council uses and shares your information please see the Data Protection page.
After the application has been submitted
The application will be considered and if eligible, payments will be made directly to the sports club.
Please note, all grants are awarded at the Council’s discretion. There is no right of appeal if an application is refused. The Council reserves the right to close the scheme to applications at any time.
Please note you will be contacted 6 months after a grant is paid to the chosen club and invited to complete a short feedback survey on the scheme. Feedback helps us to review and improve the scheme and all responses are anonymous.
Eligibility
- The bursary is available to individuals living in Mole Valley up to age of 17 who are:
- In receipt of free school meals.
- Whose parents are in receipt of regular universal credit payment.
- The scheme will also consider young people living in Mole Valley who are or have been living in care.
- The bursary is intended for individuals who wish to join a local sports club from the approved list provided by Mole Valley District Council (MVDC).
- Applicants must not already be a paying member of the chosen club.
- The bursary is intended to support participation in sport and cannot be used for non-sporting activities.
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted via our online form on the Sports Club Access Webpage.
- Applicants will be required to provide proof of eligibility (e.g. documentation confirming living in care, Universal Credit or free school meals).
- The decision on applications will be made by MVDC and is final.
Bursary Allocation and Usage
- Bursary funds will be paid directly to the chosen sports club from the approved list.
- Clubs will use the funds on behalf of the individual to cover club membership fees.
- The bursary cannot be used for:
- Equipment or kit.
- Personal expenses.
- Retrospective payments for past membership or equipment.
- Clubs not included in the pre-approved list.
- If an individual fails to attend any sessions or stops attending completely within 12 weeks of funding being allocated, the bursary may be withdrawn or reallocated to another qualifying applicant.
Responsibilities & Compliance
- Recipients are expected to actively participate in their chosen club.
- Clubs are responsible for ensuring that funds are used only for the individual’s membership costs.
- Misuse of funds by either the club or individual may result in withdrawal of support and potential repayment of the bursary.
- MVDC reserves the right to request updates or feedback regarding the impact of the bursary.
General Conditions
- Bursary funding is limited and will be allocated based on first-come, first-served basis/assessment of need.
- Receiving a bursary is a one-off and those who have received a grant in the past will only be considered for a further grant under exceptional circumstances.
- These Terms & Conditions may be updated at any time at the discretion of MVDC.