Sports clubs in Ryde are set to benefit from a new dedicated support worker following a £17,300 funding boost aimed at improving facilities and helping clubs meet the cost of travelling off the Isle of Wight.
Ryde Community Development Trust (RCDT) has successfully secured the funding from Ryde Neighbourhood Board, paving the way for the creation of a sports development enabler role.
The new worker will help local sports clubs identify funding opportunities, improve their facilities and tackle some of the financial challenges associated with competing away from the Island.
Councillor Michael Lilley, chair of RCDT, welcomed the investment from Ryde Neighbourhood Board alongside match funding from Natural Enterprise.
He explained that discussions with local sports clubs had highlighted ongoing frustration over the loss of Ryde Arena, prompting the trust to look at ways of strengthening the town’s sporting community.
Councillor Lilley said:
“The clubs soon concluded that they all needed more human resource and a shared sports development worker would be a first step to achieving their goals.”
The new role will form part of the Sporting Island initiative, which brings together organisations committed to securing greater investment in sport across the Isle of Wight.
Led by Natural Enterprise, the partnership includes the Isle of Wight Sports Foundation, Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire FA, Sported, Public Health, Isle of Wight Cricket Board and RCDT.
Graham Biss, Managing Director of Natural Enterprise, said:
“We are delighted to be working with RCDT to support sport in the Ryde area.
“Sport is an important part of Island life, and it is great that the Ryde Neighbourhood Board has recognised this by helping fund the role.
“Sporting Island was set up to bring people together to improve sporting facilities, support clubs and groups, and encourage increased sport participation.
“We have some brilliant clubs and groups on the Island and, by working together, we can make a real difference.”
