Sportsmatch are to have a huge under spend and all sports are being urged to get their applications in -  www.sportsmatch.co.uk They have a £3 million  pot from Government that they must allocate to Sportsmatch programmes by  31/03/09 (there will be more money after that). There is a further twist to this  and any approved sportsmatch project has to have spent the Sportsmatch funding  by the same date 31/03/09 i.e. if £5K is matched by Sportsmatch to £10,000 then  £5000 of that project has to be spent/allocated before March 31st 2009, the  other half can be spent afterwards. They have so far only awarded £322,575,  there is a further £400,000 worth of bids on their desk however that is still  very much short of the £3 million they have to spend. Sportsmatch  matches £ for £ match funding that will be put towards a new grassroots scheme  i.e. raising participation levels, making it sustainable, paying for coach  education, coach delivery, new kit, hire costs, medals etc. Match funding can  now come from charitable trusts and private individuals, as well as companies  (the latter being the only way previously). The minimum amount that can  sports-matched is £1000 (£500 for schools) and the maximum £50,000 i.e. this  would double to £100k. This is mainly for revenue costs however up to £5000 can  be doubled to pay for any capital investment i.e. new showers, improving  changing rooms etc. Remember you must now apply on line and no one should  bank that cheque until the Sportsmatch application has been  approved – check  out their web site www.sportsmatch.co.ukor contact the Sport England help  line on 08458 508 508