Sporting Capital was created in 2017 to demonstrate that there was a market for patient, flexible, repayable capital in the sport and physical activity sector, an industry that had to date been underserved by both the traditional and the social investment markets.

The £3m fund was designed and delivered by Sporting Assets and financed through the Growth Fund, a £50m partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund and Big Society Capital, delivered by Access through a range of social investors.

The Growth Fund is a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund and Big Society Capital, delivered by Access through a range of social investors. It makes up to £50m available to support charities and social enterprises to grow and create social impact in their communities. The Growth Fund uses a combination of grant funding, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, and loan finance from Big Society Capital and other co-investors, to address specific gaps in the social investment market.

Over 5 years the £3m was deployed across a range of sports including: cricket, football, ice hockey, fencing, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, kayaking, boxing, bouldering, rugby league, kickboxing, hockey, multisport sites, fitness gyms, boccia, wheelchair based exercise, walking, swimming, and dance.

Whist the fund is not currently accepting applications, we are still keen to talk to potential applicants to have an initial chat to understand if the loan funding might be suitable for you.

If you are an England based social enterprise that delivers, or is planning to deliver, community-based services to meet the needs of local people. And these services use sport, or are delivered using a community sports setting. And you’d like loan finance to help you grow and develop please complete the Expression of Interest form on the link below to register your interest in our future funds.