A new grants scheme for local club and facility development projects has been launched in order to support the creation of a lasting legacy from London 2012.

The aim of the fund is to support the creation of new clubs and new activities within clubs to widen the participation base, and better coaching within clubs by supporting coach education and coach development.

It will also support clubs to increase and retain membership and acquire high quality equipment. The improvement of club facilities should increase the satisfaction levels of existing members as well as attracting new ones.

The Leicestershire Legacy Fund is being delivered by Leicestershire County Council, with support from Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport.

Councillor Ernie White, Cabinet Member for Health and Sport and Leader of Blaby District Council, said:

“This is a terrific opportunity to ensure a sporting legacy lives on long after the hugely successful Olympics and Paralympics last year.”

There are two specific funding schemes; the Gold Legacy Fund, which offers grants of up to £7,500 to support facility improvement projects, and the Silver Legacy Fund, which offers grants of up to £2,000 to support development projects that increase or retain participation.

Community sports clubs or voluntary organisations premises or main training base must be located in Leicestershire, rather than LeicesterCity or Rutland.

The application deadline is Wednesday 20 February 2013.

For more information and details on how to apply, visit www.lrsport.org/leicestershirelegacyfund or call 01509 564888.