SPORTS equipment used in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is up for grabs.
Some 16,000 sports items including bikes, martial arts mats, weights, cricket equipment, basketballs, boxing gloves and weights – as well as general equipment such as cones and bibs – are set to be gifted to any sports clubs, charities and community groups in the West Midlands that apply.
Applications for the equipment are open until September 19 and the giveaway – a join-up between Sport England, the Birmingham 2022 organisers and the Department for Digital, Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) – comes as part of a move to build a post-Games legacy of more active communities.
Not-for-profit community-based organisations such as local voluntary groups, schools, sports clubs, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and social enterprises that deliver community-based projects are all eligible to apply.
The equipment giveaway is open to communities in Warwickshire, as well as Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Solihull, Hereford and Worcestershire, Shropshire, and Staffordshire.
The application process is designed to be as inclusive as possible to reflect the diversity of the West Midlands. Guidance for the application process is available in 15 languages and video applications are accepted too.
A full catalogue of the equipment for the community giveaway is available on the Sport England website for groups and clubs to look at and apply for.
While some of the high-performance equipment from the Games – including the temporary performance sprung flooring that created the netball and 3×3 basketball courts, as well as the boxing ring and high-performance Judo mats – is being distributed amongst national sports bodies.
Commonwealth Games Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “It’s fantastic to think the equipment used to set personal bests and Commonwealth Games records will soon be used in community centres and schools across the West Midlands. I would encourage all eligible organisations to apply – you could take a piece of Commonwealth Games history home with you, and inspire your community to fall in love with a new sport.”
Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, added: “The Birmingham Games were one to remember – but it’s now vital that sport and activity in our communities does not stop. It is a wonderful part of the Games’ immediate legacy that kit and equipment that has been part of iconic moments – like England women’s historic first hockey gold – can now go to local groups to support them in their ambition to benefit from playing sport and being active.
“This was always a key goal: to build a legacy in the community of new opportunities previously not open or easily available to those that want it the most.”
Visit www.sportengland.org/equipmentgiveaway to find out more and apply.
