As the rugby season prepares to draw to a close, the pitches of Rumney RFC will continue to be a hive of activity over the summer months, thanks to a Community Chest grant from the Sports Council for Wales.

In an effort to increase the variety of physical activity opportunities available in the area, a £1000 National Lottery funded grant will allow the rugby club to expand its horizons and introduce a baseball team to the area.

The club plans to establish a junior boys section catering for the boys rugby teams and the cash investment will be used to fund coach education courses, first aid and referee courses, purchase equipment as well as marking out the recognised diamond pitch.

The ultimate aim would be to establish a team ready to take part in the league structure next season.

Since the inception of the Sports Council for Wales’ Community Chest scheme in 1999, communities across the length and breadth of Wales have been investing heavily in sports and physical activity projects.

Indeed, in its history, the lottery funded grant aid scheme has distributed just under £450,000 to projects across Cardiff.

As a result of the popularity and undoubted success of the scheme, the Sports Council for Wales is raising the level of grant. Organisations keen to develop sport & physical activity in Wales can now receive up to £1000 for a qualifying project over a 12 month period.

The scope of the scheme has also been widened. Grants have traditionally been awarded to sports clubs and sporting bodies. Now most organisations seeking to develop physical activity and sporting projects will be eligible for an award.

The Community Chest has recently been infiltrating additional areas of work such as the voluntary sector (e.g. Voluntary Youth Clubs, Women’s Institute) and the workplace, as well as continuing to support projects in the health and education arenas. So while funding the local football club might get the younger members of the community moving, backing a walking group will encourage more adults to get active.

For further information on this project, please contact Victor Gunstone, Committee Member of Rumney RFC on 029 2021 9041

For information on Community Chest funding, please contact Lynette Evans at the Sports Council for Wales on lynette.evans@scw.org.uk 029 2033 8273