Support from Tackling Inequalities Fund and Anthony Joshua Fund now available
February 8, 2021 | by Matt Halfpenny
England Boxing member clubs can now seek Coronavirus Pandemic support from the second phase of Sport England’s Tackling Inequalities Fund (TIF) and the new Anthony Joshua Fund – both of which are accepting applications from today (Monday 8th February).
Affiliated clubs are also reminded that Sport England’s Return to Play Fund – which has already seen a number of clubs around the country successfully apply for funding support – continues to remain actively open.
It is strongly recommended that those clubs who do not meet the criteria for the TIF or Anthony Joshua Fund, investigate applying for the Return To Play Fund, if they haven’t done so already.
Please read more details about all three funds – including the criteria and how you can apply – below.
Tackling Inequalities Fund
The Tackling Inequalities Fund aims to ease the financial burden on boxing clubs in the country’s most deprived communities.
Clubs looking to apply for this fund should first note the criteria and check they meet it before doing so.
They should apply if:
- They have NOT recently been in receipt of existing recent financial aid (i.e they have not received a grant since 1st November 2020, during the period of club closures e.g. Return To Play, local authority rates grant).
- They serve members from the most deprived communities falling into IMD bands 1-4, meaning clubs whose membership are drawn from the top 40% of the poorest communities in the country. This is determined by the “Indices of Multiple Deprivation”. Click here to check the IMD ranking for your club or members.
The reason England Boxing is seeking out these particular clubs is that Sport England research suggests that people from deprived communities are less likely to keep active during the Coronavirus outbreak.
A small grant will therefore help clubs:
- keep in touch with their membership by improving communication
- help to devise some safe distance activities for members
- help to prepare for club’s re-opening
- or simply to keep paying the bills so that the club is ready for the return
England Boxing will support applications for funding from £500 up to a maximum of £2,500 for the Tackling Inequalities Fund.
If you need support to apply, or think you sit just outside the criteria but still believe you have a compelling case for receiving funding, please contact your regional Club Support Officer (details below).
Click here to download an application form and click here for further guidance.
Applications should then be sent via email to your Club Support Officer to be assessed by a panel. Click here for a list of Club Support Officers.
Anthony Joshua Fund
The Anthony Joshua Fund has been set up to help England Boxing member clubs thanks to a generous donation from the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO world champion.
The 2012 Olympic gold medal winner has a strong amateur background and was twice an England Boxing national title winner at super-heavyweight in 2010 and 2011, boxing for Finchley ABC.
The criteria for applying for this fund is the same as that above for the Tackling Inequalities Fund, so clubs should first note the criteria and check they meet it before doing so.
They should apply if:
- They have NOT recently been in receipt of existing financial aid (i.e they have not received a grant since 1st November 2020, during the period of club closures e.g. Return To Play, local authority rates grant).
- They serve members from the most deprived communities falling into IMD bands 1-4, meaning clubs whose membership are drawn from the top 40% of the poorest communities in the country. This is determined by the “Indices of Multiple Deprivation”. Click here to check the IMD ranking for your club or members.
Each successful application to the Anthony Joshua Fund will also receive a supply of kit donated by sponsor Under Armour.
If you need support to apply, or think you sit just outside the criteria but still believe you have a compelling case for receiving funding, please contact your regional Club Support Officer (details below).
Click here to download an application form and click here for further guidance.
Applications should then be sent via email to your Club Support Officer to be assessed by a panel. Click here for a list of Club Support Officers.
Return to Play Fund
Over 100 England Boxing-affiliated clubs have now secured grants from Sport England’s Return To Play Fund – with those who have not yet applied actively encouraged to see if they are eligible.
A relaxing of certain parts of the fund’s criteria in January means that more boxing clubs are likely to have their application accepted – with small grants of up to £10,000 available, of which up to £3,000 can go on running costs.
Even if clubs don’t meet the criteria for the TIF or Anthony Joshua Fund, then it is strongly recommended that they investigate apply for the return to Play Fund, if they haven’t done so already.
To find out if your club is likely to reach the criteria for the Return To Play Fund, please click here.
Further information on the Return to Play Fund is available direct from the Sport England website by clicking here, which is where completed applications should be sent.
If after reading through the criteria you need assistance, please contact the relevant Club Support Officer in your region.
England Boxing continuing to seek help for clubs
The welcome news of clubs securing the Tackling Inequalities funding, in addition to the generous support by Anthony Joshua, is part of England Boxing’s ongoing drive to help secure continued support for clubs during the tough times of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Whilst the Clubs have not been able to deliver competitive boxing, sparring or even pad work since last March, they have had to continue to meet overheads and costs at a time when their income has been significantly hit because of the cancellation of clubs shows, a loss of subs income due to reduced capacity sessions to allow for social distancing and also gym closures during national lockdowns.
“It’s great that this second phase of Tackling Inequalities Fund money has been made available to clubs by Sport England at what is undoubtedly a testing time for so many, its desperately needed and we are extremely grateful for this support,” said England Boxing’s Head of Community Development, Ron Tulley.
“The first phase of TIF money we distributed in the autumn allowed us to help clubs who really needed it and, with the Pandemic going on longer than we might have realised, this second phase of TIF funding will be equally welcome for the same reasons.
“The Anthony Joshua Fund has come about thanks to AJ himself, who explained when he made his donation just how much amateur boxing has shaped him physically and mentally as a person, and that he wanted to give something back.
“We are extremely thankful to him and his sponsor Under Armour for their support with the funding and kit they have provided.
“The Return To Play Fund has already assisted a number of our clubs since its launch in the autumn, and, with it set to continue until June, we would encourage clubs who need help with rent, bills and preparing for a return to boxing to investigate applying, if they have not yet done so.”
If you need help…
Should you read the criteria for each of the funds and still not sure if your club is eligible, or which fund you should apply for, then please follow the link to contact one of our regional Club Support Officers, who will be happy to help.
