Clarion Futures partners with Merton Borough of Sport fund to award £100,000 to 19 community organisations
Merton Hockey Club, one of the fund's beneficiaries
19 local organisations have been awarded a share of more than £100,000 thanks to Merton Council's dedicated fund focused on providing free and low-cost physical activities to residents.
The money is from the council’s Borough of Sport Grant Fund, a key part of its mission to become London’s first Borough of Sport: a place where everyone – regardless of their age, background or ability - can enjoy accessible, inclusive and high-quality sports and physical activity.
The funding aims to remove barriers to participation – particularly for under-16s, women and girls, older adults, and minoritised ethnicities – by funding initiatives targeted at these often underserved groups.
- a youth fishing club - helping people with social and mental health needs build skills and confidence
- a weekly three-wheel cycling group for residents aged 65 and over to connect and be active
- hockey sessions for women and girls of all abilities - with childcare to support Mums returning to sport, while boosting participation for young girls
- a swimming project offering tailored lessons for young people with physical or sensory disabilities.
Full recipient list
Councillor Caroline Cooper-Marbiah, Cabinet Member for Sport and Heritage, said:
“This funding unlocks opportunities across Merton. As well as creating and expanding innovative free or low-cost ways for residents to get active, it also gives organisations the chance to grow their offer and skills: helping strengthen our thriving sports sector. Each of these 19 organisations play a crucial part in our journey to become London’s first ever Borough of Sport, we’re proud to add them to our growing programme of council funded sporting initiatives.”
Grants of up to £7,000 were available to enable local clubs and organisations to deliver more ambitious or wide-reaching projects this year. Some organisations funded in the previous round will also receive additional funding to grow their activities and reach even more people in Merton.
Chris Walker, Club Captain of Merton Hockey Club, said:
“We’re delighted to get funding from the Council to enable us to offer more affordable and accessible hockey sessions for women and girls in Merton. We’ve had lots of interest from returners and beginners, and we can now take advantage of the new hockey facilities in Morden.”
Phil Miles, Director of Clarion Futures, said:
“Providing opportunities for people to get active can boost physical and mental wellbeing, so we’re delighted to be supporting Merton’s Borough of Sport Grant Fund. This funding will make a huge difference to people living in the borough, supporting both new projects and existing initiatives and removing barriers to participation.”
The bidding and fund distribution process was managed by the council’s partner Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Merton’s largest social housing provider, Clarion Housing Group. Decisions on funding were made by Merton Council and some representatives from the Borough of Sport Advisory Group.