Project ideas
Example projects
From a defibrillator to a new all-weather pitch, here are the kinds of projects grassroots sports clubs often look for funding for, what they usually involve, and what you would typically need to have ready.
Illustrative examples only. These are examples of the kinds of projects we can help with, not real clubs or projects we have supported. Cost ranges are rough and indicative; your own costs will depend on your site, specification and quotes. Funder types are general, and every funder sets its own rules.
- 01Football, rugby, cricket, hockeyLarge project
Clubhouse or changing room refurbishment for female and junior players
Indicative cost range£30,000 – £250,000+Creating separate, private changing and shower areas, officials’ rooms and extra toilets so women, girls and juniors can use the club properly, often bringing old facilities up to governing body guidance.
Often suits
- National sports bodies
- Governing body facility funds
- Lottery funding
- Local councils
What clubs typically need ready
- Lease or ownership with long-term security
- Plans or drawings and contractor quotes
- Planning permission or building regulations advice, if needed
- Evidence of demand, such as new teams or membership growth
- Latest accounts and constitution
- 02Football, rugby, hockey, tennisLarge project
Floodlights
Indicative cost range£20,000 – £150,000Installing LED floodlights for training or matches, including columns, cabling and any electricity supply upgrade, so the club can use its site on winter evenings.
Often suits
- Governing body facility funds
- National sports bodies
- Lottery funding
- Local councils
What clubs typically need ready
- Planning permission (usually required for floodlights)
- A lighting design and quotes
- Lease or ownership of the site
- A plan for who will use the lit hours
- Notes from neighbour consultation, if any
- 03CricketMedium project
Non-turf cricket pitch or practice nets
Indicative cost range£10,000 – £60,000Laying a non-turf pitch for junior and midweek cricket, or building new or replacement practice nets, sometimes with a mobile net cage.
Often suits
- Governing body funds
- Community foundations
- Local councils
- Lottery funding
What clubs typically need ready
- Quotes from specialist contractors
- A site plan showing where it will go
- Lease or ownership of the ground
- Who will use it, such as junior, women’s or softball sessions
- 04Football, rugby, cricket outfieldsMedium project
Pitch drainage and improvement
Indicative cost range£15,000 – £100,000Surveying the pitch, then installing drainage, sand slitting or renovation work to cut cancelled fixtures, plus a plan for ongoing maintenance.
Often suits
- National sports bodies
- Governing body pitch programmes
- Lottery funding
- Local councils
What clubs typically need ready
- A pitch survey or agronomist’s report, if you have one
- Contractor quotes
- Lease or ownership of the pitch
- A maintenance plan and budget for after the work
- A record of games lost to waterlogging
- 05Any sportMedium project
Accessible toilets, ramps and entrances
Indicative cost range£5,000 – £50,000Adding an accessible toilet, ramps, level access, handrails or wider doors so disabled players, volunteers and spectators can get in and use the facilities.
Often suits
- Lottery funding
- Community foundations
- Local councils
- National sports bodies
What clubs typically need ready
- An access audit or a list of current barriers
- Quotes for the work
- Landlord permission, if you lease the building
- Views from disabled members or local groups
- 06Any sportSmall project
Defibrillator and first aid kit
Indicative cost range£1,000 – £3,000Buying a defibrillator with an outdoor cabinet, a well-stocked first aid kit and basic training for volunteers, and registering the defibrillator so emergency services can find it.
Often suits
- Community foundations
- Local councils
- Governing bodies
What clubs typically need ready
- A quote for the defibrillator, cabinet and kit
- Where it will be sited and who can access it
- Who will check and maintain it
- A plan for volunteer training
- 07Football, cricket, rugby, basketball and othersSmall project
Kit and equipment for a new girls’ or disability section
Indicative cost range£1,000 – £10,000Buying kit, balls, adapted or specialist equipment and storage to start a new girls’ team or disability section, sometimes with taster sessions to get it going.
Often suits
- Governing bodies
- Community foundations
- Lottery funding
- Local councils
What clubs typically need ready
- A short plan for the new section and how many players you expect
- Itemised quotes
- Coaches or volunteers lined up
- Safeguarding policy and a named welfare officer
- 08Any club with a clubhouseMedium project
Energy-saving measures: solar panels, LED lighting, insulation
Indicative cost range£5,000 – £60,000Fitting solar panels, LED lighting, insulation, better heating controls or a heat pump to cut running costs and the club’s carbon footprint.
Often suits
- National sports bodies
- Community foundations
- Local councils
- Lottery funding
What clubs typically need ready
- Recent energy bills, ideally a full year
- Quotes, and a roof survey for solar panels
- Landlord permission, if you lease the building
- An estimate of savings from your installer
- 09Any sport, especially junior or rural clubsLarge project
Club minibus
Indicative cost range£25,000 – £70,000Buying a new or used minibus to get juniors and teams to fixtures and training, along with planning for insurance, drivers and running costs.
Often suits
- Lottery funding
- Community foundations
- Local councils
What clubs typically need ready
- Quotes for the vehicle
- A budget for insurance, fuel, servicing and tax
- A plan for drivers and any driver training
- Where it will be parked and how often it will be used
- 10Any sportSmall project
Coach education courses
Indicative cost range£500 – £8,000Putting volunteers through governing body coaching qualifications, plus safeguarding and first aid courses, often to support new women’s, girls’ or junior teams.
Often suits
- Governing bodies
- Community foundations
- National sports bodies
- Local councils
What clubs typically need ready
- Which volunteers will train and on which courses
- Course costs
- How the extra coaches will help the club grow
- Safeguarding policy and DBS check arrangements
- 11Football, hockey, rugby, tennis, netballLarge project
All-weather or artificial surface
Indicative cost range£80,000 – £1,000,000+Building a 3G, sand-based or multi-use games area, from feasibility and design through to planning, construction and testing, often in partnership with a school or council.
Often suits
- National sports bodies
- Governing body facility programmes
- Lottery funding
- Local councils
What clubs typically need ready
- A feasibility study and business plan
- A sinking fund plan for future resurfacing
- Long-term security of tenure on the site
- Planning permission and any partnership agreements
- 12Cricket, bowls, football, rugbySmall project
Grounds maintenance equipment
Indicative cost range£3,000 – £30,000Replacing worn-out mowers, rollers, covers or other grounds equipment so volunteers can keep the playing surface safe and fit for play.
Often suits
- Governing bodies
- Community foundations
- Local councils
What clubs typically need ready
- Quotes for new or reconditioned equipment
- Why the current equipment needs replacing
- Secure storage for the new equipment
- Who will use and maintain it
Don’t see your project here? These are only examples. If your club needs funding for something that helps people play, stay or volunteer in grassroots sport, describe it in your project details and the Funding Assessment will tell you plainly how fundable it looks and what to do next.
Next step
Got a project in mind?
A £49 Funding Assessment reviews your club and project, shows the gaps to close, and suggests funders that fit. No grant is guaranteed, but you will know where you stand and what to do next.