British Swimming’s celebrated Olympians and next generation of swimmers will take their first step along the road to London 2012 in December when they compete at the LEN European Championships (25m) in Croatia.

Thirteen athletes from the Beijing Olympics will combine with a number of swimmers competing for the first time at senior international level for Great Britain but all will appreciate the starting point on their journey towards 2012.

And the event in Rijeka (11th to 14th Dec) will also provide newly appointed British Swimming Head Coach Dennis Pursley with his first opportunity to lead a British team into a major international arena.

“My immediate aim is to start the process of instilling, within the team, the philosophy and focus of the programme in building towards maximising success in 2012 and beyond,” explained Pursley. “We’ll be looking at everything in that context and not as an event in itself.

“For some of the competitions we’ve highlighted over the next four years, the time on the scoreboard might not be the most important consideration in positioning ourselves for long-term success.

“We may be looking at race strategy or focusing on weaknesses individually or as a group, highlighting these and working to strengthen them. It’s part of a process and in a performance sense there will be times where we’ll take a step back, analyse and address and then take two steps forward.”

The team comprises a mix of youth and experience, athletes who’ve experienced the most intense international competitions and those at the beginning of their careers on the national team.

The likes of James Goddard, Robbie Renwick and Hannah Miley will share their knowledge and experience with exciting British prospects such as Marco Loughran and Jazmin Carlin.

This opportunity for many of the younger, developing swimmers is a valuable one that will provide guidance while they continue to grow as international swimmers.

“I think the European Championships offer a great chance to the younger swimmers on the team not only in terms of the level of competition but also the interaction and experiences they will take from other swimmers who’ve competed at major international events before,” said Pursley.

“This will work to their benefit in the long-run as they will have this exciting exposure early on in their four-year plan. It’s a great opportunity to be on a team with some of our most accomplished swimmers and learn from them.”

Pursley has high expectations for the British squad but sees the European Championships as part of a four-year programme and long-term process towards success.

“My expectation anytime we represent Great Britain is that each athlete will make every effort to be the best they can possibly be on the day given their individual circumstances and we’ll be going into Croatia with that in mind,” he explained.

“Typically in a post Olympic year our coaches and athletes are going to approach competitions this close to the Games very individually. After a four-year preparation for a very emotional, peak performance at the Olympic Games, athletes may take a longer break and consequently take longer to get back to a high level of competition.

“However, the performances in Beijing will have inspired many others and as a result they would have got right back into training with great enthusiasm and determination. We’re looking forward to seeing that.”

- ends -

The LEN European Short Course Swimming Championships take place in Rijeka, Croatia from 11th to 14th December 2008.

The British Swimming squad comprises:

Charlotte Barnes - University of Bath
Kerry Buchan - Upper Deeside
Jazmin Carlin - Tigersharks
Georgia Davies - Swansea Performance
Jess Dickons - Borough of Stockton
Georgia Holderness - Millfield
Jemma Lowe - Borough of Stockton
Hannah Miley - Garioch
Katy Sexton - Portsmouth Northsea
Lizzie Simmonds - Loughborough University
Emma Wilkins - Plymouth Leander
Aimee Willmott - Middlesborough

Matt Bowe - Barrow
Richard Charlesworth - Hatfield
Todd Cooper - Stirling
Ross Davenport - Loughborough University
Daniel Fogg - Loughborough University
Craig Gibbons - Loughborough University
James Gibson - Loughborough University
Kris Gilchrist - City of Edinburgh
Ben Hockin - Swansea Performance
James Goddard - Loughborough University
Marco Loughran - Guildford
Dean Milwain - Loughborough University
Xavier Mohammed - Bexley
Robbie Renwick - Aberdeen
Michael Rock - Stockport Metro
Joe Roebuck - Loughborough University
Lewis Smith - Warrender
Richard Webb - University of Bath

For further details contact Dave Richards, British Swimming Media Manager, on 01509 632237, 0778 992 6136 or email dave.richards@swimming.org <mailto:dave.richards@swimming.org>

British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain.  It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (Amateur Swimming Association), Scotland (Scottish Amateur Swimming Association) and Wales. (Welsh Amateur Swimming Association)  British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

About Speedo®
Synonymous with swimwear, the iconic brand celebrates 80 years of dominance creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations.  In the 1920s Speedo® made history with the Racerback: the world’s first non-wool suit. In 2008 Speedo® redefines swimwear again with Fastskin® LZR RACER®  - the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created; meanwhile designer collaborations with Comme des Garçons put Speedo® at the cutting edge of design. As the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, supporting swimming from beginners through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps.  Speedo® is owned by Pentland Brands and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; to find out more visit: www.speedo.com <http://www.speedo.com>. SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

Voting in the Square Mile Sport Awards 2008 has now opened giving the executives in the City of London the opportunity to be the first to name their favourite sporting heroes and moments of the last twelve months and Rebecca Adlington, Tom Daley and Eleanor Simmonds have been nominated for one of their top awards.

Now in their third year, the Square Mile Sport Awards give the people who think they know most about sport a chance to prove it. City executives have been logging on to www.squaremilesport.com to vote in their thousands in the various Awards categories.

The City chooses from nominated shortlists in six categories - Young Sportsperson of the Year, Panasonic Sports Leader of the Year, Toughest Sportsperson of the Year, Sports Team of the Year, ICAP Sportsperson of the Year, and The Betfair Sporting Moment of the Year.

The nominees were chosen by the Square Mile Sport Awards’ judging panel of sporting legends chaired by former England rugby star Will Greenwood and comprising of renowned British sport stars Barry McGuigan, Sam Torrance, and Jonathan Edwards. With swimmers Rebecca Adlington and Eleanor Simmonds and diver Tom Daley nominated as Young Sportsperson of the year.
There is also the chance to nominate a person within the Square Mile itself. The City Sportsperson of the Year award will focus on an individual who has shown sporting excellence during the past 12 months whilst maintaining a full-time job within the Square Mile.

The winners of the Square Mile Sport Awards 2008 will be unveiled at a star-studded dinner on 27th November in central London.

The shortlisted nominees for the Square Mile Sport Awards are:

Young Sportsperson of the Year
• Rebecca Adlington, Swimming
• Tom Daley, Diving
• Eleanor Simmonds, Swimming
• James DeGale, Boxing
• Laura Robson, Tennis
• Danny Cipriani, Rugby Union
• Louis Smith, Gymnastics

Panasonic Sports Leader of the Year
• Dave Brailsford, GB Cycling
• Simon Clegg, Chef de Mission, Team GB
• Rio Ferdinand, Football
• Warren Gatland / Shaun Edwards, Rugby Union
• Stephen Park, RYA Olympic Manager, British Sailing Team
• David Tanner, ARA International Manager and  Performance Director, GB Rowing

Toughest Sportsperson of the Year
• Mark Beaumont, World Cycle Challenge
• Mark Cavendish, Cycling
• James Cracknell, Cross Continent Challenge

Sports Team of the Year
• London Wasps, Rugby Union
• Manchester United FC
• Middlesex CCC
• Team GB, Beijing 2008 Olympics
• Wales RFU

ICAP Sportsperson of the Year
• Ben Ainslie, Sailing
• Lewis Hamilton, F1
• Padraig Harrington, Golf
• Chris Hoy, Cycling
• Andy Murray, Tennis
• Christine Ohuruogu, Athletics
• Rebecca Romero, Cycling

The Betfair Sporting Moment of the Year
• With Manchester United and Chelsea tied after extra time, the Champions League final went to penalties only for Chelsea captain John Terry to hit the post, handing victory to United.
• In front of a capacity crowd, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal tied at 7-7 in the fifth set of possibly the greatest ever Wimbledon men’s singles final before the latter secured the crucial break point.
• After driving the length of the field, Eli Manning throws a last minute touchdown in the SuperBowl XLII to give the New York Giants a 17-14 victory over the hotly-tipped New England Patriots.
• In winning the 7th gold of what would be a record haul of eight in a single Olympics, Michael Phelps won the 100m butterfly final by one hundredth of a second pipping rival Milorad Cavic with a fingertip stretch.
• Running with his shoelaces undone, Usain Bolt starts celebrating victory in the 100m some 10 yards away from the finishing line before crossing in a new world record.

For full biography details of all of the nominees and to register your votes and nominations or to book your table at the Square Mile Sport Awards, go to www.squaremilesport.com.
For further details, contact Square Mile Sport on 0207 240 7700.

Risk assessment should be at the heart of all decision-making on safety in a swimming environment – and this especially applies to swimming lessons and coaching sessions.

The asa (the national governing body for swimming) is taking the opportunity to clarify its position on safety and quality. A safe environment is paramount to swimming lessons and coaching sessions but the quality of the learning experience is also important.

With regards to safety, pupil to teacher ratios have been agreed by the industry’s lead agencies as a guide for safe supervision during lessons and coaching sessions – but the asa is also keen to stress it is important that a full risk assessment is undertaken in each case to determine actual pupil to teacher ratios.

The asa gives this guidance because there are many factors that would influence safety, not just the pupil to teacher ratio. These factors could include the:

• Lifeguard provision – is the supervising teacher carrying out a dual role of teacher and lifeguard?
• Design of the pool where the teaching is taking place, e.g. shape and blind spots, water depth
• Ability of pupils being taught
• Number of assistants and what level these assistants are qualified to

However the quality of the learning experience is also important and this will be dictated by the quality of the teacher or coach who should hold an appropriate UKCC (UK Coaching Certificate) qualification. The class size will also be determined by the learning outcome the teacher or coach wishes to achieve.

Clearly a competent asa qualified teacher, licensed with the asa, would under certain circumstances handle large groups; however smaller groups may be necessary for children with special needs.

Anne Adams-King, the asa’s Director of English Programmes, said: “the asa is committed to ensuring all children are taught to swim using a quality programme, delivered by appropriately qualified teachers or coaches in the safest environment.

“The industry acknowledges that the asa National Plan for Teaching Swimming ensures the quality of learn to swim schemes, and UK Coaching Certificate endorsement means our Level 2 teachers and coaches have reached a level of competence  expected by Sport Coach UK and Skills Active  allowing them to teach effectively.”

The asa and other agencies base their advice on safe supervision on the directions and guidance given within the Health and Safety publication “Managing health and safety in swimming pools” and two further documents give guidance to learn to swim providers.

 “Safe Supervision for Teaching and Coaching Swimming” published by the Institute of Sport and Recreation and endorsed by the asa,  The Royal Life Saving Society UK and the Institute of Swimming offers advice on the essentials of risk management and pupil to teacher ratios amongst other things.

The Guidance Booklet for the Management and Delivery of Teaching and Coaching of Swimming also offers advice on a number of learn to swim areas, including advice on safety issues.

in association with

A swimming teacher from Telford has won an award for her excellent customer services and work in the community.

Anne Staples has been recognised for her work by Telford and Wrekin Council through the National Customer Services Week – ‘Going the Extra Mile Awards’.

Anne won an award under the category ‘Making a Difference in the Community,’ for her involvement with the Everyday Swim Project in the Telford region. Everyday Swim is about encouraging people to swim for leisure, fitness and fun and get more people into our pools.

In Telford and Wrekin the focus has been particularly on disabled people and children from disadvantaged communities and their families.

Everyday Swim Coordinator for the Telford and Wrekin region, Matt Shields – who nominated Anne – said: “She has a great persona and develops a good rapport with everyone she works with.

“She manages to instil confidence in people to get into a pool, who would otherwise give up and has been instrumental in delivering sessions for Everyday Swim.”

Madeley Court Sport Centre Staff were also recognised at the Awards ceremony by winning the Community Services portfolio Compliment of the year, for their work in assisting disabled people to access a pool.

Shields said: “Mrs Hutchings-Lee contacted the council after receiving exceptional customer service from the staff at Madeley Court.

“She had a number of strokes and thought she would never swim again, but through the work of Everyday Swim she was able to access support and the pool again.”

A spokesperson from the pool said: “The staff have helped to rebuild her confidence and she is swimming further and further each time!”

The awards ceremony was held on October 6th at the Telford and Wrekin Council Offices.

-ends-

For further details contact Natalie Hassall, Media Assistant on 01509 63236, or email natalie.hassall@swimming.org

The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,600 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

Speedo® is the world's leading swimwear brand. Founded in Sydney in 1928 Speedo has over 75 years of heritage and expertise in swimwear and launched the FASTSKIN® FS-PRO, the fastest most powerful lightweight suit on the market, in 2007. Speedo is the Official Supplier to British Swimming and the ASA and provides valuable investment for swimming from grassroots through to elite level.
www.speedo.co.uk

About Kellogg
The Kellogg Company was founded in 1906 and today produces 40 different cereals including popular brands such as Special K, Cornflakes and Coco Pops, and 56 different snacks including brands such as Nutri-Grain, FruitaBu and Special K snacks.

 

 

Experienced multiple Olympic medal winning Coach Doug Frost has been named as the Head Coach of the new British Swimming Intensive Training Centre (ITC) in Stirling.

Frost is counted as one of the top coaches in world swimming after being given the World Swimming Coaches Association TERAO Award. In his career he has coached countless elite Australian swimmers including Olympic medallists Ian Thorpe and Kirsten Thomson. Frost coached Thorpe from 1997 to his triple gold medal performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

The new appointment will see Frost head up one of the new nationwide network of five ITCs designed to provide a world-class daily training environment for swimmer development and to continue the sport’s momentum as it prepares for London 2012.

The former Senior Swimming Coach for the Australian Institute of Sport is looking forward to helping British Swimming build on its success from Beijing.

“I am really excited about taking up my role at the Stirling ITC and working alongside Scottish Swimming,” Frost said. “I believe it will be a great experience and I am looking forward to the challenge of setting up the new centre.

“I think with the introduction of the new ITCs in Great Britain there will be a new added element of high-level competition between the centres that will only help further develop the sport, while introducing high-level training facilities will only help develop swimmers in the UK.

“After working at elite level in swimming for the past 18 years I believe I can help make Great Britain a dominant force in international swimming in 2012.”

British Swimming’s new programme Head Coach Dennis Pursley believes the ITCs will provide the nation’s swimmers with the best facilities as they prepare for London 2012 and is pleased to welcome Frost onto the programme.

“We are extremely excited about the ITC programme as it will give our British Swimmers a significant advantage over most of their competitors,” said Pursley.

“Doug is obviously best known as being the coach that took Ian Thorpe to his greatest achievement and we know he will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience into the ITC network.

“I believe that Doug will not only be good for Stirling but for British Swimming too. He has an excellent track record of producing results and I think this will help benefit both coaches and swimmers throughout the UK.”

British Swimming National Performance Director Michael Scott has been the driving force behind the implementation of the ITC network and will be looking for British Swimming to continue their momentum after their excellent performance in Beijing.

“Creating a world-class daily training environment is an essential part of our overall strategy towards realising our long-term performance goals,” explained Scott. “This will enable us to continue our momentum towards London 2012.

“There are very few training opportunities in the world of swimming that offer world class coaching, highly qualified support staff and ideal training conditions with an exclusive focus on preparation for peak performance in major international competition.

“Nowhere in the world will British swimmers find uncompromised training opportunities more conducive to success in major international competition that in the ITC programme right here in Great Britain.”

Director of Performance for Scottish Swimming Ally Whike welcomed Frost's appointment: “Scottish Swimming looks forward to welcoming Doug to the National Swimming Academy.  Doug's coaching credentials speak for themselves and we are confident he will work well within the University environment to take forward performance swimming in Stirling.”

-ENDS-

For further details contact British Swimming Media Officer Gemma Field on 01509 632262, 07917 726431 or email gemma.field@swimming.org
 
British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain.  It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (Amateur Swimming Association), Scotland (Scottish Amateur Swimming Association) and Wales (Welsh Amateur Swimming Association). British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

About Speedo®
Synonymous with swimwear, the iconic brand celebrates 80 years of dominance creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations.  In the 1920s Speedo® made history with the Racerback: the world’s first non-wool suit. In 2008 Speedo® redefines swimwear again with Fastskin® LZR RACER®  - the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created; meanwhile designer collaborations with Comme des Garçons put Speedo® at the cutting edge of design. As the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, supporting swimming from beginners through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps.  Speedo® is owned by Pentland Brands and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; to find out more visit: www.speedo.com. SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending. 

The people of Yorkshire are being encouraged to take to the pool and raise money for Cancer Research.

‘Splash for Cash’ is a new fundraising initiative taking place throughout October and November, to raise vital funds that will be put towards Cancer Research at Bradford, Hull, York, Sheffield and Leeds universities.

Participants can swim as much or as little as they like, setting their own distance, date and pool venue. 

By using this initiative, Yorkshire Cancer Research is hoping to raise up to £15,000 and although there are no entry requirements, participants are being encouraged to raise as much money as possible for the charity.

Fundraising Team Manager Clair Challenor-Chadwick said: “One in three people will be affected by cancer at some stage in their lives and Yorkshire Cancer Research is the UK's largest regional medical research charity which funds research into the cause and cure for cancer.

“Splash for Cash is a great way to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research and to get people more involved with swimming.”

For more information and details onto register CLICK HERE

-ends-

For further details contact Natalie Hassall, Media Assistant on 01509 63236, or email natalie.hassall@swimming.org

The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,600 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

Speedo® is the world's leading swimwear brand. Founded in Sydney in 1928 Speedo has over 75 years of heritage and expertise in swimwear and launched the FASTSKIN® FS-PRO, the fastest most powerful lightweight suit on the market, in 2007. Speedo is the Official Supplier to British Swimming and the ASA and provides valuable investment for swimming from grassroots through to elite level.
www.speedo.co.uk

About Kellogg
The Kellogg Company was founded in 1906 and today produces 40 different cereals including popular brands such as Special K, Cornflakes and Coco Pops, and 56 different snacks including brands such as Nutri-Grain, FruitaBu and Special K snacks.

 

With the asa Masters Championships taking place in Ponds Forge between 24th – 26th October Masters Swimmers have been invited to celebrate their achievements at the asa Masters Pasta Party.

The party will take place in the Skyline Suite in Ponds Forge and will take place at 7:30pm with tickets costing £10.00 each.

The menu will include a number of pasta and rice dishes which will include a vegetarian option. A range of sweets will also be available.

For tickets please contact 01509 632266

 -ENDS-

Alistair Gray, a leading strategy consultant with vast experience of the sporting sector, has been appointed as the new Chairman of British Swimming.

Gray, the founder and Managing Director of Genesis, has led major strategic reviews of many sporting governing bodies and will spearhead British Swimming’s Board up to 2012.

The reviews include those carried out for The FA, The LTA, Scottish Rugby, Irish Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League. He is also a World Class Adviser to UK Sport and Sport England and has been asked by them to carry out many of their most complex and sensitive reviews.

He famously reviewed Irish Football after the public quarrel between Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy in the warm up to the 2002 World Cup, and has conrtinued to work with the sport as it has modernised since that review.

And Gray said he was really looking forward to leading British Swimming’s work. He added: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with British Swimming at this time in its life, especially with the imminent prospect of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London. The sport has performed well in recent years, in and out of the water.

“I look forward to working with my new colleagues on the board and our executives to make Swimming even more successful in the future. I hope my style and experience will add to the considerable capabilities of the people in the sport.”

Gray has chaired a number of companies and other organisations including the Scottish Institute of Sport and British Performance Basketball, as well as being a founding director of the Winning Scotland Foundation and former Chairman, President and Honorary President of Scottish Hockey on a voluntary basis.

Other major development initiatives (that have contributed to the performance of a number of sports) include those with Scottish Swimming, England Netball and Scottish Golf.

Maureen Campbell, the Chair of Scottish Swimming and the Scottish representative on the British Swimming Board, said: “Scottish Swimming is delighted to have Alistair join the board of British Swimming. He has already made a significant contribution to the high performance sport agenda in Scotland though his work at the Scottish Institute of Sport.

“He has an excellent ability to bring focus and clarity to complex challenges. We are confident he will make an equally valuable contribution to the development of British Swimming and wish him every success in his new role.”

Gray has also worked extensively in international management with Unilever and the John Wood Group PLC. He has 26 years experience in strategic consulting internationally and is a former non-executive director of Highland Distillers plc, AorTech International plc and is currently on the strategy committee of two other PLCs.

He was recently appointed an Honorary Professor in Sport Studies at the University of Stirling, Scotland’s University of Sporting Excellence. He is also a visiting Professor at Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia) participating on their International Masters Programme.

-ENDS-

For more information contact the asa PR Manager Sharon Rose on 01509 632262, 07876 652318 or email sharon.rose@swimming.org

British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain.  It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (Amateur Swimming Association), Scotland (Scottish Amateur Swimming Association) and Wales. (Welsh Amateur Swimming Association)  British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

About Speedo®
Synonymous with swimwear, the iconic brand celebrates 80 years of dominance creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations.  In the 1920s Speedo® made history with the Racerback: the world’s first non-wool suit. In 2008 Speedo® redefines swimwear again with Fastskin® LZR RACER®  - the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created; meanwhile designer collaborations with Comme des Garçons put Speedo® at the cutting edge of design. As the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, supporting swimming from beginners through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps.  Speedo® is owned by Pentland Brands and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; to find out more visit: www.speedo.com. SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

Swimming clubs have the chance to take their share of a groundbreaking £130m Grassroots Grants scheme.

The government’s Grassroots Grants are calling on small local voluntary and community groups to come forward and get their hands on essential funding. The Grants aim to make a real and immediate difference to the work of any small and local community groups with annual incomes below £20,000.

Whether it's helping local clubs get hold of new kit or coaching new volunteers, the programme, funded by the Office of The Third Sector in the Cabinet Office and administered by the Community Development Foundation, offers grants of between £250 and £5,000 to support activities that lie right at the heart of our local communities.

Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, said: "Our communities are teeming with thousands of small groups and individuals who work tirelessly to tackle local problems and this £130million fund is dedicated to supporting their efforts. Grassroots Grants will put essential cash in the hands of small local voluntary groups without all the paperwork required for larger grants."

To keep the process as simple and easy as possible for applicants, the money is being distributed directly through local funders; slightly larger local organisations already based in the community and selected because they are familiar with the needs and causes in each area.

Local, regional and national businesses were also invited to get involved through investing in the scheme's innovative endowment match challenge; the first of its kind in England.

Within the programme, the Government has set aside a £50million pot from which it will match endowment investments from businesses. This offers businesses the chance to contribute directly to supporting and sustaining the communities in which they operate.

The endowment element, which is also open to individual investors, aims to ensure that that Grassroots Grants remain available for many years to come. It is estimated that with match funding and sound investment this £50million could be worth as much as £150million when it starts paying out in 2011. In addition, as Gift Aid can be claimed on donations to a charity, a £1,000 match-funded contribution from an individual would be worth £2,560 to the fund.

CLICK HERE for more details on how to access the grants.