Sports clubs flock to free fundraising seminar

On Monday 29 October over twenty five sports clubs from the borough attended the first in a series of free seminars and workshops aimed at supporting local voluntary sports clubs.

Organised and hosted by WHSPAA – the Welwyn and Hatfield Sport and Physical Activity Alliance, which is part of the Welwyn Hatfield Alliance – the season of seminars started with Practical Fundraising for Sports Clubs at the University of Hertfordshire Sports Village in Hatfield. Attendees were given advice by a number of guest speakers on how to tap into existing funding sources, and how, with a little imagination, they might take better advantage of local fundraising opportunities. A number of local sports clubs’ representatives, including Dave Marques of Welwyn Girls Rugby Club, gave local case studies.

Chairman of WHSPAA, Dave Bartlett said: “We were delighted with the level of attendance. From the feedback we’ve received, everyone found the seminar really useful. Small clubs often struggle to find funding and I’m glad WHSPAA’s been able to give them access to innovative ideas for raising money. This was the perfect start to the series and we looks forward to welcoming many more to the rest of the seminars.”

Future seminars will be held every two to three months – details of dates and venues will be publicised soon. The sessions are aimed at assisting local voluntary sports clubs to develop their programmes and facilities, to take advantage of sources of support that are currently in place, and to ensure their future success. The series will deal with subject areas such as increasing clubs’ volunteer base, improve links with local schools, marketing and promotion, and workforce development.

To register interest in future seminars please contact 01707 357000.