Portsmouth MP Amanda Martin welcomes vital funding for community club Cosham Park Bowls
Portsmouth based Cosham Park Bowls Club, Portsmouth, is the latest organisation to win a share of Flutter’s £500,000 Cash4Clubs scheme, designed to keep adults engaged in sport and remove barriers to participation.
Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North, Amanda Martin MP, attended the presentation of the funding. Commending the grant, she said: “It was brilliant to present Cosham Park Bowls with their Cash4Clubs grant and have a go at bowls! The club plays a vital role in bringing local people together, promoting wellbeing and creating opportunities for residents of all ages to stay active.”
“I know this funding will go a long way in supporting the fantastic self-funded club, helping to remove cost barriers, improve the clubhouse and make it easier for more people to get involved, try something new and feel part of a welcoming community.”
Cash4Clubs provides funding to 250 sports and community clubs across the UK and Ireland annually, and since its launch in 2008, has donated nearly £7 million to thousands of community clubs up and down the country.
The funding will enable the club to purchase additional second-hand bowls, particularly in smaller sizes, helping new players try the sport without having to commit to expensive equipment. It will also support planned improvements to the club’s kitchen area, enhancing facilities for members and strengthening the club’s role as a local community hub.
Cosham Park Bowls Club said the support has already had an impact, with its recent open day resulting in several new full members and increased interest from local residents.
The grant will further support targeted marketing and community outreach, helping the club raise awareness of bowls and attract new participants across Portsmouth and the South Coast.
Welcoming the grant, Simon Ford from Cosham Park Bowls Club said: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive this funding, which will make a real difference to our club and the wider community. By providing more second-hand bowls, particularly in smaller sizes, we can remove cost barriers and help more people try the game before committing.
“As a small club, this support is invaluable. It will also help us improve our facilities and strengthen our role as a welcoming community hub. Most importantly, it’s already helping us attract new members and introduce more people to bowls.”
Since 2008, Flutter UKI has invested nearly £7 million into grassroots sport through its brands, including Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Betting & Gaming, PokerStars and tombola.
Last year, more than 32,000 adults benefited from the scheme, with Sported reporting that 86% of clubs saw membership growth as a direct result of funding.
Sir David Beckham has offered his support for the awards, noting how they “celebrate the very best in the game both on and off the pitch.”
Other clubs on the South Coast to have received vital grants from the Flutter Cash4Clubs funding initiative include Long Furlong Riding for the Disabled, Sussex Spitfires and Headway Portsmouth, to name just a few.
Kevin Harrington, Chief Executive of Flutter UKI, said: “Cash4Clubs is a cornerstone of our commitment to reach the lives of 10 million people in the communities where we operate by 2030.
"Community clubs are the bedrock of sport in the UK and Ireland. Many operate on shoestring budgets, yet they deliver extraordinary impact for their members and wider communities. Unfortunately, without support from programmes such as Cash4Clubs, many of these vital community institutions simply won't survive.
“We’re proud to play our part.”
Applications for the next round of £500,000 Cash4Clubs funding will open later this year at https://cash-4-clubs.com/.
The scheme has also been shortlisted by fans for Best Grassroots Initiative at the Women’s Football Awards, recognising its impact on community sport across the UK and Ireland.