Flutter UKI, the conglomerate encompassing betting and gaming brands such as Paddy Power, Sky Betting & Gaming, Betfair and Tombola, has allocated £400,000 ($507,846) towards supporting grassroots sports initiatives across the UK and Ireland.
The initiative, termed 'Cash4Clubs,' aims to provide financial aid to community clubs facing financial strain.
The funding, distributed in grants of £2,000 each, will benefit 200 community clubs involved in various sports activities, ranging from badminton and skateboarding to American Football, wheelchair rugby and surfing.
The clubs will use the grants to improve their facilities, procure new equipment, fund coaching programmes and ensure operational sustainability.
Flutter UKI's decision to double its initial allocation from £200,000 for the 2023-2024 period follows over 1,282 applications received from community clubs across the region.
Selection criteria prioritised clubs situated in economically disadvantaged areas and those aiming to engage under-represented communities.
This investment coincides with the UK Government's 'Get Active' strategy, championed by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, which seeks to promote sports participation by improving access to physical activities.
Ian Brown, Flutter UKI CEO, said: “Community clubs are the bedrock of sport in the UK and we are committed to doing everything we can to help small clubs make a real difference to people’s lives. I’m delighted we were able to double the size of this year’s Cash4Clubs fund to £400,000 after seeing a record number of applications come in. We are convinced Cash4Clubs will have a real impact in those areas that need it most.”
Among the beneficiaries of this year's grants are Team Solent wheelchair rugby club, Taibach Tigers Rounders Club in Wales and the Northern Powerhouse Boxing Academy in Todmorden, Yorkshire, all of which play roles in their communities.
In addition to its investment in grassroots sports, Flutter UKI entered a strategic collaboration with BetConstruct, integrating BetConstruct's gaming offerings into Betfair International, one of Flutter's key platforms.
Earlier this February, Flutter extended its partnership with French horseracing betting operator Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU), providing PMU with a multi-channel B2B Sportsbook Platform, among other services.
