Attenborough SC Lands Inspired Facilities Award

Attenborough Sailing Club has discovered it has been awarded £49,409 in the latest Sport England Inspired Facilities funding round announced yesterday (Monday 14 April). The Nottingham club has received the award to contribute towards the costs of a new £99,000 clubhouse, which will help the club attract, and retain, more people in sailing. Attenborough SC is among 324 local sports projects to secure a share of £17 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England's Inspired Facilities fund. Since 2011, Inspired Facilities has been helping breathe new life into tired community sports facilities and converting existing buildings into venues suitable for grassroots sport. The award will allow enlargement of the current facilities to include a general purpose seating area, kitchen and changing facilities. This opportunity will also enable the club to improve access for disabled members and encourage greater participation in the sport. Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: "The Inspired Facilities fund has had a huge impact on grassroots sport across the country. Since 2011, we've invested £88 million into more than 1,600 projects to improve and refurbish sports clubs and transform non-sporting venues into vibrantcommunity sports clubs. "It's great to see Attenborough Sailing Club join the long list of successful clubs to benefit from this fund." Roger Day, Attenborough SC club commodore, said: "We are delighted to have secured this investment, which means we can upgrade the quality of our premises and provide access for disabled members. "People will only stay in any sport if they enjoy it, and having comfortable, pleasant facilities is a major part of that enjoyment. Not only will the new clubhouse give us extra capacity but it enhances the likelihood of people wanting to come back and sail regularly with us because they know we're committed to investing in the club. "The club has always had a policy of making sailing an affordable sport to local people and without this grant we would not be able to undertake such a major improvement plan" Gareth Brookes, RYA Regional Development Officer for the Midlands, said: "There is no doubt having a modern, comfortable clubhouse will play a significant part in Attenborough SC being able to attract, and retain, more sailors in the sport and we are delighted that the club has been successful in its application." Attenborough SC is a recognised RYA Training Centre meaning it conforms to the highest standards of quality and safety. If you already know you want to learn to sail this year, and get involved in a exhilarating outdoor sport where life really does get left on the shore, Attenborough SC will be running its next adult RYA Start Sailing course in September. The club's next Youth learn to sail course starts on Friday 9 May. RYA Start Sailing introduces people to the basics and gives them the best first experience in the sport, while also providing opportunities for them to then stay involved and keep improving their skills at friendly, welcoming sailing clubs. For full details on how you can get involved at Attenborough SC this year visit www.attenboroughsc.org.uk