This funding round has closed.

Barclays Community Sport Fund

Barclays (delivered in partnership with Sported)

Applications closed

Funding: Contact funder
Deadline: 4 November 2026
Location: England; West Midlands
Applications: Applications closed

Overview

The Barclays Community Sport Fund helps reduce inequalities in sport, with a focus on football, tennis and cricket. It is delivered by Sported in partnership with Barclays. The programme runs from April 2025 to December 2027.

The round open now is the Female Coaches for Girls Fund. It pays for up to two female coaches per club or group to take a Level 1 or equivalent introductory qualification, plus any extra safeguarding and first aid needs for the sport. Grants are £160 for football and £200 for tennis or cricket. Coaches must complete their qualification within 12 months, subject to course availability.

This round opened on 8 July 2026 and closes at 5pm on 4 December 2026. The separate Access Grant round, worth £1,000, closed on 27 May 2026.

The fund suits charities, not-for-profit organisations, community groups, youth groups and traditional sports clubs that deliver football, cricket or tennis for women and girls, or want to start. You need to be located in, or supporting people from, areas ranked 1 to 3 on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation. Some disability groups and groups facing rural isolation can also be considered.

Funded groups also get advice and support, signposting to training and resources, and chances such as match tickets, mascot places and promotional opportunities.

One practical point: applications may close early if funds run out, so apply early.

Official source: https://letstalk.coventry.gov.uk/funding-and-opportunities. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Requirements to check

Who can apply:

charity cic social enterprise

CIC grants in the UK explains which funders accept community interest companies, with the grants that are open now.

Also open to: community groups, sports clubs, youth organisations

Key requirements:

Access Grants are £1,000, with one grant per organisation
Level 1 coaching grants are £160 for football and £200 for tennis or cricket, with up to two coaches per club
Applicants must be in or support people from IMD areas 1-3, with some exceptions for disability and rural isolation
Coaches must complete their qualification within 12 months
Funding should ideally be spent within six months
Applications may close early if funds run out

Charities and not-for-profit organisations, including community groups, youth groups and traditional sports clubs, can apply. You must deliver football, cricket or tennis for women and girls, or be applying to start. You need to be in, or support people from, IMD areas 1-3. Disability groups outside those areas, and groups tackling rural isolation, may be considered. Schools, elite or talent development costs, trips abroad and school curriculum activities are not eligible.

This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.

Who is this for?

Charities, community groups, youth groups and grassroots sports clubs in deprived or rural areas that want to open up football, tennis or cricket to women and girls, or train more female coaches.

Sectors

Arts, Entertainment & Recreation Charities & Non-Profit

Regions

England West Midlands

No published award history for Barclays (delivered in partnership with Sported). Some funders do not publish their grants data.

Full details from Barclays (delivered in partnership with Sported)

Supports community groups and grassroots sports organisations working in deprived/rural areas to make football, tennis, and cricket more accessible to women and girls and other under-represented groups. Offers Access Grants of £1,000 for activity delivery and Female Coaches for Girls Grants (£160-£200) for Level 1 coaching qualifications. The three-year programme runs from April 2025 to December 2027.

How to apply

Find the FAQs, application guidance and online application form on the Sported website. If you are not a Sported member or an existing grantee, you will need to create an account to start. The Female Coaches for Girls round runs until 5pm on 4 December 2026. You can email Sported at barclays@sported.org.uk.

Read the guide: Grants for Sports Clubs UK: Where to Find Funding

Grants for sports clubs in the UK, from Sport England and the Football Foundation to small local funds. Who can apply, what gets funded and what is open now.

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