97 Sports Clubs in Wales supported with Energy Saving Grants

What will the funding be used for?

The grant will enable these clubs to make energy-saving improvements, and projects vary depending on what upgrades will make the most difference to the club or facility. 

• 27 clubs will use their funding to upgrade their heating or hot water systems to more eco-friendly options.
• 5 clubs will replace their clubhouses’ windows and doors, and 12 clubs will install insulation to reduce heat loss.
• 20 clubs will fit LED lighting to reduce their energy consumption.
• 70 clubs will use the grant to install solar panels at their premises, and 3 clubs that already had solar panels will use them to purchase storage batteries.
• 4 clubs will fund sustainable water solutions including bore holes and rainwater harvesting systems. 

What sports will benefit from the funding?

For clubs to be eligible to apply, they require their own premises with a lease of 10 or more years. A huge number of clubs met these requirements, and funding was given to the following sports:

• BMX
• Bowls
• Boxing
• Cricket
• Football
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Rowing
• Rugby
• Squash
• Tennis

Numerous multi-sport facilities have also been awarded Energy Saving Grants that will support a whole host of different activities to be more sustainable for their local communities.

The 97 clubs that received Energy Saving Grants 

Blaenau Gwent

• AB Boxing and Fitness CIC in Ebbw Vale will use their £19,651 grant to make updates to better insulate their building. Lighting will also be upgraded throughout the club to energy efficient LEDs.
• Like so many other clubs, rising energy bills have hit Beaufort RFC hard. This popular club in Ebbw Vale will be using a £18,863 grant to install solar panels which will help to reduce their utility costs over many years. By becoming more financially sustainable, they’ll also be able to keep fees for hiring their facilities to the local community at an affordable price.
• Nantyglo FC will use a £19,340 grant to install solar panels on the roof of the club’s building at Duffryn Park in Blaina to reduce carbon emissions and help make them more financially stable.

Bridgend

• In recent years, the clubhouse at Maesteg Cricket Club has undergone various improvements to boost the appeal of the club and get more local people playing cricket. However, the club has felt the pressure of rising energy bills, so a £23,550 Energy Saving Grant to install solar panels will make a big difference.
• Sustainability is a key focus for Porthcawl RFC. The club has previously bought an energy efficient boiler system, upgraded the lighting within their clubhouse and installed energy efficient floodlights for their pitches. Now, thanks to a £16,928 grant, they’ll install solar panels on their clubhouse roof.
• Having served the local community for more than 40 years, Maesteg Squash Club is set to become one of the most energy efficient facilities in Wales. Thanks to a £25,000 Energy Saving Grant – the maximum awarded by Sport Wales – solar panels will be installed, all fluorescent lighting will be replaced with energy efficient LEDs and to maximise energy savings a zoning heating system will be installed.
• Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club will install solar panels on its clubhouse to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce utility costs, thanks to £25,000 of funding.

Caerphilly

• To cater for their clubhouse’s energy needs, Penallta RFC will use a maximum £25,000 grant to install solar panels.
• Another club set to benefit from the installation of solar panels is Blackwood Town Cricket Club, who have been awarded a £20,632 grant.
• Energy bills at Blackwood RFC will be slashed by thousands of pounds every year thanks to the installation of solar panels. The club has been awarded a £20,174 grant.
• Gelligaer and District ABC are taking huge steps to becoming more environmentally and financially sustainable. The club will use a £24,868 grant to install solar panels, double glazing, and new heating and cooling units which will run off the solar power to heat the gym in the colder months and cool it in summer.
• Like many other clubs, the increase in energy bills has threatened the very existence of Bargoed RFC. To protect their future as an integral part of the local community, a £25,000 grant will be used to fund solar panels, a boiler upgrade, and a new cooling system for their storage room.
• Energy efficient LED lighting will be installed throughout Pontllanfraith RFC thanks to a £1,200 Energy Saving Grant.

Cardiff

• Using a £25,000 grant, a rainwater harvesting system will be installed at the new BMX Racing Centre in Llanrumney, Cardiff to reduce operational costs and provide a sustainable source of water for track maintenance and landscaping.
• A £25,000 grant will enable Radyr Golf Club to replace their outdated boiler system with a new energy-efficient one.
• Llandaff North Rugby Sports and Social Club are expecting their monthly electricity bill to be halved thanks to the installation of solar panels. Their £10,195 grant will also fund improvements to ceiling and cellar insulation. With reduced expenses, the club will have more money available to carry out other improvements to their clubhouse to give members an even better experience.
• A £23,091 grant has been awarded to Radyr Lawn Tennis Club to pay for the installation of solar panels which will generate enough energy to power the club’s floodlights.
• Another club set to benefit from solar panels is North Cardiff Cosmos, who have been awarded an £11,130 grant to install panels on the roof of the Llanishen Park Changing Rooms.
• Energy bills will be cut at Rhiwbina Recreation Club thanks to the installation of solar panels and the addition of zonal heating controls for the club’s main and outlying buildings which are used for squash, tennis, table tennis and indoor bowls. The club was awarded the maximum £25,000 grant.
• A thriving boxing club in one of the most under-served communities in South Wales, Apollos ABC are installing solar panels to help them remain financially sustainable. The club has been awarded a £19,908 grant.

Carmarthenshire

• £25,000 of funding was awarded to Carmarthenshire School of Gymnastics to purchase solar panel batteries allowing them to store more energy. Additional walls with insulation will be added to enable them to divide areas and heat them separately.
• Carmarthen Bowling Club will use £15,526 of funding to install solar panels. Having seen a 300% increase in their heating costs, solar panels will reduce their running costs and allow them to continue to offer the residents of Carmarthen a venue to play bowls.
• To make energy-saving improvements to their facilities, Llanelli Tennis and Squash Club were awarded £25,000 for the installation of solar panels which will see utility costs reduced and the continuation of offering affordable activities to the community.
• Ammanford AFC will use £24,285 of funding for the installation of solar panels which will significantly reduce the club's carbon footprint by producing and using its own green energy. The solar panels will also see the club’s energy bills halved!
• With a grant of £15,480, Trimsaran RFC will install solar panels on the clubhouse, which will help reduce the club’s rising energy bills.
• At Dafen Cricket Club, £23,913 of funding will go towards the installation of solar panels on their clubhouse to help reduce high energy bills.

Ceredigion

• Cardigan RFC received £21,000 from the Energy Saving Grant to upgrade existing systems, solar panels and LED lighting to reduce energy costs and become a more sustainable club. Their aim is to make the running of the club more affordable, which will allow them to support the community more.
• In its mission to become more energy efficient, Ffostrasol Wanderers FC was awarded £20,258 of funding to upgrade its water tanks, install solar panels and better insulate its facilities.
• Thanks to £17,767 of funding, a new boiler and heating system, LED lights with sensers and insulation in the attic will be installed at Lampeter Bowling Club, to help reduce the cost of energy and heating bills.
• To reduce their carbon footprint and high electric and heating costs, CPD Penrhyncoch Football Club were awarded £25,000 to install solar panels on the roof of their changing rooms, along with insulation of new windows.
• With a £2,762 grant, energy bills will be slashed at Aberystwyth Town FC thanks to the installation of efficient timer switches for heaters at the clubhouse, alongside a temperature management system.

Conwy

• Kinmel Bay and Towyn SRA will use £25,000 to install solar panels to help them with energy savings and reduce their carbon emissions.
• To help with pitch maintenance and the growth in bills such as gas, electric and water rates, Penmaenmawr Phoenix FC will use £23,963 of funding to install solar panels, boreholes and heating provisions.
• Denbighshire
• By using £25,000 of funding, Denbigh Rugby Club will reduce energy costs, enhance sustainability and improve member experiences through the installation of solar panels and insulation to their facilities.
• Using £23,600 to install solar panels, Denbigh Town FC will use the money saved through energy bills to lower fees and make activities more accessible and affordable to the wider community.

Flintshire

• Solar panels, LED lighting, insulation and heating provisions will be installed at Carmel & District Cricket Club thanks to £19,598 of funding to help reduce energy costs and their carbon footprint.
• To reduce energy usage around the grounds, Flint Town United FC received £20,605 of funding to install solar panels.
• Destratification ceiling fans will be installed at Delyn Gymnastics Club with the support of £2,160 of funding to help reduce fuel and electricity costs and create a comfortable environment for participants by maintaining an even temperature.
• To cut down on energy and heating bills, Shotton Boxing Club was awarded £12,540 to install solar panels and heaters.

Gwynedd

• Dovey Yacht Club will use £24,581 of funding from the Energy Saving Grant to install solar panels on its clubhouse which will greatly reduce energy costs for the club. The funding will also go towards upgrading their current lights to LEDs.
• Thanks to £23,950 of funding, Bethesda Cricket and Bowls Club will install solar panels and insulation to improve the energy efficiency of its clubhouse.
• To help towards its aim to reach net zero, Clwb Rygbi Bala will use £24,451 of funding to install solar panels that will give them an energy saving of up to £3000 each year. The funding will also support the installation of insulation at the clubhouse.
• Caernarfon Golf Club will use £25,000 of funding to install solar panels to reduce their energy bills and keep membership costs affordable.

Merthyr Tydfil

• £21,429 of funding will be used to install solar panels at the I.C.I Pavillion in Merthyr Tydfil, home of Merthyr Saints FC. The solar panels will support the club to lower their electricity bills and enable them to keep the facility warm for users.
• Dowlais RFC will install solar panels on their clubhouse thanks to £24,800 of funding which will support the club in becoming self-sufficient.
• At Bedlinog RFC, £14,620 will go towards upgrading the heating system and replacing existing lighting with LEDs to improve the club’s energy efficiency.

Monmouthshire

• £16,744 of funding will enable Usk Athletic Club to install solar panels on the tennis clubhouse.
• Caldicot Town AFC will use £20,000 of funding to install solar panels on the social club, lowering utility costs and improving its environmental sustainability.
• At Sudbrook Cricket Club, £25,000 will be used to install solar panels, upgrade old inefficient boilers and increase the lost insulation at the clubhouse to lower the club’s carbon footprint and reduce energy bills. The funding will also support the club to replace the existing lighting with LEDs, decreasing their energy bills further.
• £24,479 of funding will be used at Gilwern Community Bowling Club to improve the energy efficiency of its pavilion. Installation of solar panels, LED lighting, insulation and a new hot water system will reduce the club’s bills.
• With £18,156 of funding, Monmouthshire Golf Club will replace their old gas fired boiler with an energy efficient heating system to keep the premises warm whilst reducing energy bills and carbon emissions.

Neath Port Talbot

• At Ynysygerwn Cricket Club, £18,950 will go toward the installation of solar panels on its clubhouse. The solar panels will support the club in becoming more sustainable and decreasing its energy costs.
• Afan Lido FC are currently renovating their changing room complex and will use an additional £25,000 from the Energy Saving Grant to install solar panels on the refurbished building.

Newport

• £20,000 will fund the installation of solar panels at Tredegar Park Golf Club, who project electricity savings of over £130,000 over 25 years.
• At Whitehead Sports and Social Club, solar panels will be installed to improve its sustainability thanks to £18,960 of funding.
• £18,945 of funding will be used at Caerleon RFC to install solar panels and upgrade its heating system. The club hopes that the energy savings will enable them to offer more sessions to people in their community.

Pembrokeshire

• Hook Sports and Social Club will use £16,238 of funding to install solar panels on the building, reducing its carbon footprint.
• £25,000 of funding will go towards the installation of solar panels at Milford Haven Golf Club, to support their aims of reducing energy costs and eventually becoming self-sufficient as a club.
• Pembroke RFC will install solar panels on its clubhouse to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce utility costs, thanks to £25,000 of funding.
• At Pembroke Cricket Club, £1,037 from the Energy Saving Grant will go towards the upgrade of lighting in the main pavilion. Replacing old halogen or fluorescent lights with LEDs will improve the club’s energy efficiency and reduce electric bills.
• Haverfordwest RFC will use £12,544 of funding to install loft insulation in its clubhouse and changing rooms to reduce heating bills and improve the club’s sustainability.
• Clarbeston Road AFC will install solar panels on its central changing room building and equipment store thanks to £14,531 from the Energy Saving Grant.
• Carew Football and Cricket Club have been awarded the full £25,000 of funding to update current heating and hot water systems to more sustainable alternatives, replace lighting with LEDs and install solar panels at their clubhouse. These changes will support the club in decreasing their energy bills and becoming more environmentally friendly.

Powys

• At Presteigne Bowling Club’s clubhouse, £13,065 will be used to replace existing lighting with LEDs and to install solar panels. These upgrades will help the club to save energy.
• £20,526 will be used at St Giles Golf Club to install solar panels and LED lighting at the clubhouse.
• Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club will use £21,130 to upgrade their existing lights with LEDs and install solar panels on the clubhouse, which will considerably offset the current energy usage of the club.
• Newtown Tennis Club’s clubhouse is a wood building with no heating. With £2,866 of funding, they will replace the existing windows and doors to improve the building’s temperature and reduce their need for electric space heaters.
• £2,154 will be used at Welshpool Cricket Club to improve its current inefficient heating system with four energy-efficient electric heaters.
• Thanks to a grant of £24,158 from the Energy Saving Grant, Cobra RFC in Meifod will install solar panels and purchase storage batteries to meet energy demand during the evenings.
• Brecon RFC will install solar panels onto its clubhouse roof thanks to a grant of £18,727. The solar panels will help the club become more financially and environmentally sustainable.
• The clubhouse at Cradoc Golf Club is currently heated by an old oil-fired boiler. With £17,760 of funding, they will install a new, energy-efficient heating system on the premises.
• To help combat rising energy bills, Presteigne St Andrews FC will use £15,798 of funding to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

Rhondda Cynon Taf

• At Pontypridd Golf Club, £15,475 will be used to upgrade the current heating system that heats the entire building with a new, efficient version that can heat certain areas of the clubhouse.
• Rhigos Community Sports Association will use £19,360 of funding to install solar panels on the sports hall roof to reduce its carbon emissions and save money.
• £2,800 of funding will go towards replacing Ystrad Rhondda RFC’s old, inefficient boilers with a new heating system that will help them cut costs and become more environmentally friendly.

Swansea

• Mumbles Yacht Club’s clubhouse has little insulation, a failing boiler and high bills. Thanks to £17,143 of funding they will install solar panels, upgrade their heating and hot water systems, and make the club even more eco-friendly with new LED lighting.
• At Gorseinon Cricket Club, £6,887 will be used to install a rainwater harvesting system. The collected water will be used to irrigate the cricket square, saving the club from having to use the mains fed tap over the drier months.
• £25,000 of funding will be used to install solar panels on the clubhouse at Mond Valley Golf Club, reducing carbon emissions and saving the club money.
• Swansea Uplands RFC will replace their existing lighting with energy-saving LEDs and replace their gas boilers with new, more efficient models thanks to £11,366 from the Energy Saving Grant.
• £25,000 of funding will go towards the installation of solar panels on Morriston Town AFC’s clubhouse, alongside other energy-saving upgrades to the insulation and heating and hot water sources.

Torfaen

• Griffithstown Junior AFC will use £433 of funding to replace its existing lighting with sustainable LEDs.
• Coed Eva Athletic Seniors are in the process of building new changing rooms and will use £16,325 of funding from Sport Wales to install solar panels to improve its energy efficiency.
• £19,999 will go towards the installation of solar panels at Ponthir Sports and Community Club, saving the club money and reducing its environmental impact.
• Solar panels were previously installed at Blaenavon Blues AFC, and they will use £18,100 of funding to add storage batteries, allowing them to store more energy for times it’s needed most. They will also upgrade their heaters to more sustainable models and replace existing lighting with LEDs.
• Pontnewydd Cricket Club has been awarded £21,404, which will be used to install solar panels on the club’s clubhouse.
• At Croesyceiliog Cricket Club, £19,660 of funding will be used to install solar panels on the large building, which also supports numerous community events. This will support the club to reduce their energy bills and enable the whole community to become more sustainable.
• The clubhouse at Croesyceiliog FC will have solar panels installed, thanks to £23,501 of funding, which will help the club save money on its energy bills.

Vale of Glamorgan

• £19,734 will be used at Caerau Ely AFC to install solar panels on the building, which will enable them to lower their bills and continue providing free of charge sessions over the half-term holidays.
• Millwood Bowling Club will install solar panels on its clubhouse, reducing their carbon footprint, thanks to £18,658 of funding. They will also upgrade the heating system to a more sustainable version.
• With £24,544 of funding, Cowbridge Squash Rackets Club will install more sustainable heating and hot water sources, new windows and doors, and solar panels at its clubhouse. These improvements will help them keep the building warm in a financially and environmentally sustainable way.
• Currently, Windsor Tennis Club in Penarth does not have any heating in its clubhouse. With £4,424 from the Energy Saving Grant, the club will install a sustainable heating system. The funding will also go towards a large rainwater butt that will enable the collection of rainwater for watering the club’s grounds.

Wrexham

• At Brymbo Sports Complex, £9,950 will be used to install a new energy-saving boiler for its heating and hot water.

Ynys Môn

• Ynys Mon Gymnastics Club will use £4,862 of funding to replace its current lighting with energy-efficient LEDs.
• £16,850 of funding will be used to install solar panels at Pentraeth FC’s clubhouse. The funding will also enable the club to replace existing lighting with LEDs.
• At Holyhead Golf Club, solar panels were installed earlier this year. The club will use £20,269 of funding for storage batteries to store excess energy and install a new energy-efficient boiler on the premises.
• Bull Bay Golf Club will use £24,947 to install ground mounted solar panels to reduce the club’s energy bills and help it become more sustainable.