Mercenaries Netball Club

Comprehensive Funding Explorer — Basingstoke & Ascot — March 2026

21+
Funding Sources
£11k–30k
Conservative Target
£36k–85k+
Optimistic w/ Match
2
Local Authority Areas

Section 106 (S106) Agreements

When developers get planning permission for large projects, councils attach legal agreements requiring contributions to local infrastructure including sport. Typical S106 sport grants range from £25,000 to £800,000.

How It Works

  • Developer applies for planning permission for housing or commercial scheme
  • Council requires contributions under Policies CN1 and CN6 of the Local Plan
  • Money is ring-fenced for sport, education, transport, etc.
  • Community sports clubs can apply for access to these funds for capital projects
  • You must demonstrate security of tenure for at least 20 years

Current S106 Opportunities

Hounsome Fields: 745-home development by Vistry Group. Developer contributing £12.7 million to local services including sport infrastructure.

G-Park Basingstoke: 209,461 sq ft industrial development with likely S106 obligations.

Draft Local Plan: Proposes ~700 homes/year for first 5 years — sustained pipeline of S106/CIL funding.

Social Value Act & TOMs Framework

The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 requires public bodies to consider wellbeing when commissioning services. Developers working on public-sector-linked projects must invest in local community initiatives.

The National TOMs framework (Themes, Outcomes, Measures) is the most widely adopted social value measurement standard. Contractors bid partly by demonstrating social value — supporting local community sports clubs scores well.

Local Corporate Opportunities

  • Eli Lilly (Basingstoke HQ) — Active community engagement, sponsors Basingstoke Half Marathon. Lilly Foundation matched £5.1m+ in 2024.
  • The AA (Basingstoke HQ) — Contact BVA for corporate volunteering partnerships.
  • John Lewis Partnership (Bracknell) — Community Matters programme, geographic proximity advantage.

How to Approach Developers & Corporates

  • Prepare a clear one-page proposal: who you are, what you need, community outcomes
  • Frame your pitch using TOMs framework language — social value, community cohesion, health outcomes
  • Use intermediaries: Basingstoke Voluntary Sports Council, BVA, UK Community Foundations
  • Monitor local planning applications — approach within the first few months after approval

Earlsdon Highways Netball Club

£45,391

Warwickshire. After losing their venue in 2017, they ran a Crowdfunder campaign with Sport England match funding to build 2 new floodlit courts. Also secured £92,149 from FCC Communities Foundation and £75,000 from HS2 Community Environment Fund. Total project: £230,000+.

Takeaway: A compelling story plus Crowdfunder/Sport England match funding is the most proven route. Stack multiple grant applications on top.

Maulden Netball Club

£20,495

Bedfordshire. Raised £15,995 via Crowdfunder + £4,500 Sport England match. Partnered with Redborne Upper School for 8 new netball courts as part of a £310,000+ MUGA project.

Takeaway: Partnering with a school amplifies reach and strengthens applications significantly.

Leeds Athletic Netball Club

£4k–6k

Yorkshire. 140+ girls across 14 teams. Positioned their campaign around COVID recovery and getting safely back to play.

Takeaway: A large, active membership is your strongest proof of community impact. Document your participant numbers.

Unicorns LGBTQIA+ Netball Club

Nike D&I Fund

London. Founded October 2021, secured funding by summer 2022 — less than 8 months. Won "Most Inclusive Club" at Out For Sport awards.

Takeaway: New clubs with a clear inclusion angle can access corporate diversity funds rapidly. The Mercenaries' men's netball angle has similar potential.

Sport England Crowdfunder Partnership — Aggregate

1,103 successful projects. £18.9 million raised total (£6m Sport England + £12.9m crowdfunding). For every £1 Sport England invested, clubs raised £2.13 from the community. Average campaign: 135 supporters.

Weeks 1–2: Quick Wins & Groundwork

Establish Foundations

  • Contact Basingstoke Voluntary Sports Council ([email protected]) for tailored funding guidance
  • Register with HIWCF for grant alerts (hiwcf.org.uk/grants)
  • Identify local ward councillors in Basingstoke and Maidenhead — approach for Councillor Community Grants
  • Email Sumayyah Zeib ([email protected]) about the RBWM Innovation Fund
  • Register with supermarket community schemes (Waitrose, Co-op, Tesco) at local stores
Weeks 3–6: Major Applications

Submit Key Bids

  • Submit Sport England Movement Fund application (open, rolling — allow 12 weeks)
  • Submit National Lottery Awards for All application
  • Email Garfield Weston Foundation ([email protected]) with initial enquiry
  • Contact Basingstoke & Deane Developer Contributions team about S106 sport funds
  • Approach Eli Lilly Basingstoke about community partnership
Weeks 7–12: Crowdfunding & Pipeline

Build Momentum

  • Launch Crowdfunder campaign with Sport England or Aviva match funding
  • Apply for People's Postcode Lottery funding via Sported
  • Prepare applications for Basingstoke Strengthening Communities 2026/27 round (expected September)
  • Monitor Peter Harrison Foundation for reopening
  • Prepare for Cash4Clubs and Berkshire Community Foundation autumn rounds