Thanks to the Gwynedd Community Chest, 7 sporting organisations will be receiving financial support worth a total of over £7,500 between them to develop activities, promote the importance of being active and keeping fit and improve current resources. Among some of the successful applications are a golf club, snooker club and an archery club - all of which will receive money from the Gwynedd Community Chest.

Councillor Paul Thomas, Gwynedd Council’s Healthy Gwynedd Cabinet member said:

“From athletics to basketball, gymnastics to karate the aim of the Chest is to support a variety of sports from across the county. Sports clubs and organisations play a vital part in our community and it is important that they receive as much support as possible. It is great to see that the money from the Gwynedd Community Chest is continuing to support so many sports clubs and organisations in Gwynedd.

“As a Council we are working to create an environment where taking part in healthy activities becomes part of day to day life. Our hope is that Gwynedd sporting organisations see an opportunity to better their provisions and that this encourage more people to take part. I would urge all Gwynedd sporting organisations to contact the Council for guidance on the application process.”

A total of 7 organisations have been successful on this occasion:

• Caernarfon Celts Wheelchair Basketball Club - The funding will help the club establish a team to take part in matches in a North Wales League. The club will receive help to pay for their initial court hire as well as mentoring for their coaches.
• Aberdovey Golf Club – The club has received the funding to begin new sessions to attract more female members. As well as funding to purchase the necessary equipment, the club will ensure the sustainability of these sessions by qualifying two new Coaches on a PGA Coaching course and offer mentoring sessions by a PGA Professional
• Llandderfel Community Hall – A new village hall is being built in Llandderfel, and is due to open in September. The local community have been successful in gaining funding to purchase equipment which will allow them to offer a number of activities for the community including, soft tennis, carpet bowls, swing ball and table tennis.
• Bala Canoe Club – Funding will enable the club to send a number of volunteers on Coaching Courses to improve the standard of provision at the club. Volunteers will be qualified UKCC Level 1 Coaches as well as Level 2 Slalom Coaches. They will also receive White Water Safety Training.
• Red Dragon Archers – The funding will allow the club to run a Coach Education Programme for it’s members/volunteers which will include Child Protection, First Aid, Inclusion and Level 1 Archery.
• Special Olympics Bangor – The Group based at the University are planning to offer activity / Sport sessions for individuals with Learning Disabilities. This will provide a number of participation opportunities as well as a pathway to compete in Special Olympic events. The funding will contribute towards the initial court hire to run the sessions as well as purchase equipment for a number of activities.
• Dyffryn and Talybont Snooker Club – This will be a newly established club with a new organising committee form the local village hall. The club have been successful in attaining funding to repaid and renew an old Snooker Table which had been sourced by the members.
                                                      

The remaining dates to make an application for 2012 - 2013 are as follows:
     
Meeting                                             Closing date for application

3 September, 2012                         13 August, 2012

5 November, 2012                           15 October, 2012

4 February, 2013                              14 January, 2013

The panel are keen to receive applications from organisations who wish to develop new and exciting projects, which encourage exercise in a natural environment.

For an application form for Gwynedd Community Chest funding, contact Gwynedd Council’s Sport Development Service on 01758 704010. To receive guidance on the application process, contact David Lloyd-Williams, Gwynedd Council’s Assistant Sport Development Officer on 01758 704057 davidlloydwilliams@gwynedd.gov.uk