Teddington Athletic FC has been awarded nearly £10.000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England's Community Emergency Fund towards covering the outstanding costs of the 2019-20 season during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced today. (fri)

The grant of £9996 will allow Teddington Athletic FC to meet all of its financial obligations for the 2019/20 season and cope with the loss of the club's fundraising capabilities in the close season.

The outbreak of the virus and the consequent shutdown of businesses as of March 23 has left the sport and physical activity sector facing a period of uncertainty.

In response, on March 31 Sport England announced a £195m package to help the sport and physical activity sector through COVID-19.

Within the package is a £20m Community Emergency Fund of National Lottery money to deliver immediate funding to those who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but are experiencing short-term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the impact of coronavirus.

David Hall, Teddington Athletic's club secretary, said:"The grant from Sport England has allowed TAFC to look forward to the 2020-21 season. While we don't know when grassroots football will return, we know we'll be in a good financial position when it does."

Teddington Athletic Football Club Chairman Paul Stallard added: "I'd like to thank David Hall and club treasurer, Russ Hoadley, for liaising with Sport England to secure this investment.

"TAFC is a vital part of the Teddington community and these funds enable us to continue providing football for boys, girls and adults.

"Sport England has given us this important financial support at a difficult time for grassroots football. These funds will help us achieve many more good things on and off the pitch in the months ahead."

Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England's Chief Executive, said:"As the body responsible for the growth of sport and physical activity participation, we want the vital grassroots organisations that make sport and physical activity happen in this country to not just come through this crisis but to be in a position to thrive again in the future.

"The £20m Community Emergency fund, made possible by National Lottery players is part of a multi-million pound package of support we are providing to ease the pressure on a huge number of the organisations who are central to the nation's health and wellbeing.

"We are proud to be able to provide vital funding to Teddington Athletic FC to help it through these extremely challenging times."

For more details about the project please contact LILIAN HIGHMOOR, [email protected].

About TAFC:

Teddington Athletic FC was formed in 2006. The club fields 45 teams every weekend during the football season, 11 of which are girls teams. More than 650 players represent the club from U7 to adult and the majority of teams play their games in Bushy Park.

To learn more about TAFC, click here