Aldi is offering sports clubs in England and Wales the chance to apply for grants of up to £3,000 to pay for equipment, coaching and facility hire.
The discounter is extending a scheme that has already awarded more than £500,000 to over 650 sports clubs in Scotland over 10 years.
Aldi is working to support grassroots sports clubs as official supermarket sponsor of Team GB and ParalympicsGB. It also supports Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes with monthly vouchers for the food shop.
Three levels of grants are available to eligible sports clubs in England and Wales: £3,000, £1,250 and £750. Aldi will award 13 at each level – gold, silver and bronze – totalling £65,000.
To scheme is open for applications until 31 August to sports clubs meeting at least one of the following criteria:
- A local, community-focused sports club
- A registered community amateur sports club
- A school, college or educational organisation running sporting activities
- A registered charity providing sporting opportunities
- A scout or guide group running sporting activities
- A charitable service fund of the Armed Forces
- A community interest company
Applications must be submitted by email to sportsfund@aldi.co.uk.
Aldi will judge entrants based on their community impact, demonstrated need for funding, number of participants supported and alignment with the fund’s objectives.
“We know how much local sports clubs mean to the communities they serve,” said Aldi UK chief commercial officer Julie Ashfield. “They’re run by passionate volunteers and give people of all ages the chance to get active, try something new and be part of a team.
“For the past 10 years, our Scottish Sports Fund has helped hundreds of clubs, and by bringing this activity together under one UK-wide Aldi Sports Fund, we’re making it easier for even more grassroots organisations to see what support is available in their local area across England and Wales.
“Our partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB is all about inspiring people to get involved in sport. Through the Aldi Sports Fund, we’re helping more clubs continue the fantastic work they do every day.”
Team GB chief commercial officer Tim Ellerton and ParalympicsGB commercial director Jenny Seymour said: “Aldi is a fantastic partner to Team GB and ParalympicsGB, and we are delighted to see them extend their commitment to supporting sport at every level across the country.
“From local communities to the world stage, they understand the extraordinary impact sport can have. It will be great to see athletes getting involved and helping to make that impact felt in communities nationwide.”
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