Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact on sport, the EIHA board have been working closely with Sport England and other governing bodies to access and share the latest advice from government but also support from Sport England for clubs who are suffering financially due to the pandemic.

Details of Sport England’s ‘Community Emergency Fund’ were shared by the EIHA board to clubs in each of the relevant sections at the beginning of April.

To date ice hockey clubs in England have received over £13,500 from the fund with more applications waiting to be processed.

The Community Emergency Fund aims to deliver immediate funding to those most in need.

It’s specifically targeted at organisations, including those not currently supported by Sport England, who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but who are experiencing short-term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the impact of coronavirus. Organisations can apply for grants between £300 and £10,000.

The types of organisations eligible include local sports clubs forced to close at short notice but who are facing ongoing costs around maintenance and utility bills, and voluntary and community sector organisations who deliver or enable sport and physical activity.

A specific example might be a grant to support a local club pay costs for their facility when no activity is taking place, or a grant to support a league who have paid for equipment to run a competition which has now been cancelled.

More information on the Fund can be found online at SportEngland.org.