Almost one hundred MP’s showed their support at CCPR’s ‘Subs for Clubs CASC Campaign’ event, held at the House of Commons last night. Football legend and Strictly Come Dancing Star,John Barnes also joined the event to back the campaign. Among attendees were Sports Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, shadow Sports Ministers, Hugh Robertson and Don Foster, Tessa Jowell, the Minister for the Olympics and former Sports Minister, Richard Caborn.
The Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) scheme provides a range of financial relief for sports clubs in the UK. Since its launch in 2002, nearly 4,500 clubs have signed up, making an estimated saving of over £22 million.
The aim of the event was to publicise the important role grassroots sports clubs play within the community and to call on the Government to increase the benefits of the CASC scheme by allowing clubs registered for the scheme to claim GiftAid on junior subscriptions.
Guest of honour, John Barnes, said:
“Sport should always be high up the political agenda. I know from my experience as a player, as a coach and as an ambassador for Access Sport, the power that sport has to unite communities, to build confidence, to teach new skills and to help people get fit and healthy. The support of local MPs is a vital part of that work and this event showed just how strong that support is.
“The CASC scheme is one of the best ways for clubs to save money. I know how important even small amounts of extra cash can be for clubs. The more clubs sign up to the scheme the more money there will be in sport and, hopefully, this event will raise awareness of that.
“This campaign is about getting kids active and healthy and about recognising the amazing work that amateur sports clubs do around the country.”
Brigid Simmonds, Chair of CCPR, said:
“At CCPR we are working hard to develop sport and recreation across the UK and this was a great occasion to explore with MP’s how we could work together to improve sporting opportunities in local communities and clubs. We’re delighted that so many MP’s showed interests in backing our campaign.”
