It’s on your marks, get set and go for sports in the Bay, with a record £150,000 being invested as part of a commitment to supporting both clubs and individuals.

In collaboration with Sport Torbay, a group that is connecting local sports clubs in the area, we have already developed three new initiatives. Backed by a £60,000 commitment, the initiatives have been designed not only to support clubs and individuals, but to ensure sports are more open and accessible to all.

‘Back to Sport’, ‘Believe to Achieve’ and ‘Work Out to Help Out’ not only aim to make sport more accessible, but also promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available from the ‘Back to Sport’ fund to help clubs that may be struggling to attract the same number of participants as before the pandemic. Meanwhile, ‘Believe to Achieve’ grants of up to £1,000 are available to support talented athletes with the costs associated with their training, equipment and competition fees and expenses.

A ‘Work Out to Help Out’ style scheme will be launched later in the year, with the aim of improving access to a wide range of both indoor and outdoor sport and leisure activities for those on low incomes.

A further £34,000 has been set aside by Torbay’s Adult Services for sport related projects aimed at supporting mental health. While an additional £60,000 in general funds has been committed for the match-funding of sports specific schemes.

Together with Sport Torbay and local sports clubs, we are currently working on a new ‘Torbay on the Move’ strategy. The strategy which will be unveiled in the coming months supports Torbay’s vision of support healthy, physically active lives for all.

Cllr Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader, Torbay Council, said: “This is an exciting time for sport in Torbay. Not only are we investing in clubs and individuals, but we are working more closely than ever with Sport Torbay to develop a new Torbay on the Move strategy. We’ve already made improvements to sport and leisure facilities at Upton Park in Torquay and invested in Capital projects to enhance both Torbay Leisure Centre and the Riviera Centre.”

Cllr Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture, Torbay Council, said; “After years of under investment of sports in the Bay, we are now spending a record amount to not only support clubs and individuals, but to make access to sports more open to everyone.  Following on from the huge success of England in the European Championships, Team GB in the Olympics and with the Summer Paralympics about to start, this is the perfect time to be investing in sports.”

Jim Parker from Sport Torbay said; “Sport is all about teamwork and it is that teamwork ethic between Sport Torbay, Torbay Council and key partners, including Sport England, sport governing bodies and community champions like Torquay United, which is now reaping rich rewards. I have always maintained that sport is not just about a bat and ball. It is about health and wellbeing both physically and mentally and helping to tackle all kinds of social-related issues like deprivation and poverty.

"Re-Setting Sport is all about just that - identifying the areas and people where sport and physical activity can help them lead happier and healthier lives. The community is key in all this, fully engaged and in this together for a brighter future for the English Riviera."

We recently announced that Torbay Velopark is set to benefit from over £61,000 of enhancements, following a successful funding bid from British Cycling and additional investment from Mid Devon Cycling Club.

Our sports team are also working with local sports clubs and sports national governing bodies to develop a brand-new Playing Pitch strategy. The strategy will ensure the area’s facilities meet the community need both now and in the future.

For more information relating to sports in Torbay, including sports grants, free sporting activities and sport facilities can be found via - https://www.torbay.gov.uk/leisure-sports-and-community/sports/