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Power Up Community Sport

Funded by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Sport England, and delivered by Sported

Face of a young girl in a press-up position

Power Up Community Sport

We know how much time and energy goes into running a sports club, group or community organisation delivering physical activity. You are juggling everything from funding to planning, often with a small team and big ambitions. That is why we want to offer you something that’s genuinely useful.

The project is funded by The West Midlands Combined Authority and Sport England, delivered by Sported in partnership with Active Black Country, Aston Villa Foundation, Locality, Sport Birmingham, Sport4Life, Think Active, Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Active Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Together Active and United by 2022.

Power Up Community Sport is a free programme that supports clubs, groups and organisations like yours to get stronger, more confident and more sustainable. You’ll benefit from a 5-stage programme, including short workshops and 1:1 mentoring, and an incentive of up to £500 upon completion and access to a network of programme participants and local partners to continue organisational development.

On this page

Image of male coach in a red t-shirt smiling and talking to a young boy. There is text on a green background. Get up to £500 to grow. Power up community sport. Free support for grassroots sports & community groups. Apply now.

Who is it for

Not-for-profit groups who deliver sport and physical activity to underserved communities in the WMCA Area

  • If you are a group looking to add sport and physical activity to your program but do not yet deliver this, you can still apply. Sported will reach out to you upon receipt of your application to discuss further.
  • Underserved communities include ethnically diverse communities, women and girls, disabled people, people facing poverty, LGBTQI+ communities
  • WMCA Areas are listed under full and partial voting rights on the WMCA website. Groups must be registered and operating in one or more of these areas: Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire, Sandwell, Dudley, Wallsall and Wolverhampton, Telford and Shropshire, Tamworth, Cannock Chase District and Redditch.

When is it

Next cohort will run from January to April 2027, with a further edition running in 2027.

How to apply

If you’d like to take part, please complete the short sign-up form

If you have any questions about the project or need additional support completing the sign-up form, please contact Claire Greenwood c.greenwood@sported.org.uk

Application closing date: 31 December, 2026

Sign-up form

Why you should sign up:

You will get access to the following:

  • 1-2-1 onboarding session including a full organisational health check
  • Series of 7 online workshops focusing on: strategy and business planning, governance structures, finance and operational planning, leading and developing change, demonstrating and measuring impact, funding and place-based working. Workshops are held every two weeks, with daytime and evening options available.
  • Follow-up mentor support: up to 3 x 1-hour calls with an expert to focus on a particular area of need
  • An incentive payment of up to £500 upon completion of the programme
  • Access to a network of programme participants and local partners to continue organisational development beyond the programme.

Impact of the programme so far

From the first two rounds of the programme, we have had overwhelming positive feedback outlining how the support made a real tangible difference:

  • 88% of groups reported increased confidence in running their group
  • Every group developed an increased awareness of areas for organisational development
  • 86% of groups increased their organisational capacity
  • 77% increased their ability to deliver activities in the long term
  • 81% are in a better position to secure funding.

“These sessions have helped us improve governance, strengthen financial controls and develop clearer long-term planning processes. As a volunteer-led club, this support has been invaluable in helping us move from reactive decision-making to a more structured and sustainable approach… As a direct result of this support, we have been able to expand opportunities for young people within our community.” BMX Club