IT WAS LUTFUR RAHMAN who promoted the Mayor’s Cup – an annual competition for football teams in Tower Hamlets. John Biggs has been carrying on the tournament.
Each year the tournament has raised money which is spent on football teams in the borough, and applications are now invited for the funds raised in the 2017 Cup. Any local football team can apply for up to £500 for a scheme which involves promoting engagement in and access to grassroots football.
However, those who wish to apply will need to get their skates on. In a press release posted on the website on 12th January, the Council announced that there was a two week window for applications to be made – and the window closes on 19th January (yes, one week after the press release was posted).
The grants were apparently also advertised in Our East End in December and via the My Tower Hamlets subscription service.
To apply for a grant, club must have a proper constitution with an equal opportunities policy and insurance. If they receive a grant, they must enter at least one team in the 2018 Mayor’s Cup competition – or face repaying the grant. Clubs applying for a grant also have to indicate which ward their project will cover – using, strangely, the pre-2014 ward boundaries rather than the ones which are currently in place.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs made a brief comment explaining the Mayor’s Cup, which he said “is a major moment for grassroots football in the Borough and a great opportunity to promote the healthy lifestyles that active football playing brings.’’
The funding opportunity elicited a rare comment from Cllr Abdul Mukit, Cabinet Member for Culture and Youth, who said, “This is a great opportunity for football clubs in the area to benefit from the Mayor’s support through this grant. The football tournament helps keep people healthy, while striving for success and fostering future stars.”
•Those wishing to apply for a grant are recommended to read the Council’s Guidance notes and to use an application form, which can be found here: Guidance Application Form
•Read more about it: Help campaigners save TH Youth Sport Sporting youngsters to lobby Council tonight Biggs finds £3m to tart up neighbourhoods
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