Grass-roots sport in Cheshire East has received a massive boost after the Council secured £110,689 of lottery funding.
The Authority's leisure development team won a share of Sport England's £5.1m Community Sport Activation Fund after sharing its plans for a recreation programme aimed at over 14s.
Cheshire East is one of 32 organisations across the country to benefit from the funding that helps to support grass-roots sport and build a lasting legacy from last year's Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Council's scheme aims to reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour by providing a variety of sports opportunities across the Borough, with the possibility of joining a local club or sporting organisation.
The overall cost of the project is £180,000 – with additional funding coming from the Council and its partner organisations; the police, fire service and local housing associations.
Councillor Janet Clowes, Cabinet member in charge of health and adult social care, said: "This funding is a real coup for Cheshire East and it will make an enormous difference to older teenagers wanting to get involved in sport locally.
"Our programme will help young adults to develop good decision-making skills, encouraging healthier lifestyles and positive behaviour choices. There will also be opportunities for participants to get involved with volunteering.
"This, combined with our existing award-winning volunteering programme, shows that here in Cheshire East we are working hard to secure the legacy from last year's Olympics and Paralympics."
Sport England's Community Sport Director, Mike Diaper, said: "This fund was created to respond to the demand among local communities for investment to reach down to the local level.
"By working with new partners, taking a flexible approach and investing in innovative ideas, we're offering people the chance to get into sport in a way that most suit their needs and aspirations."
For more information go to: http://www.sportengland.org/funding/csaf.aspx.
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On a very local sports development front I'm looking for volunteers and organisations to help us set up a hockey programme for young people with disability and learning difficulties at Alderley Edge Hockey Club. Whilst some experience of working with such groups will be helpful, energy, enthusiasm and passion will be just as welcome. Please telephone me on 07825213205 if you'd like to help change local people's lives with some sporting opportunity and fun. Perhaps Cheshire East will see this new project worthy of support and we can get the village community behind it.