A NEW report by leading pub company and brewer Greene King has revealed that 84 per cent of Brits believe grassroots sports are beneficial to local communities.

The study, commissioned to support the new “Proud To Pitch In” funding scheme, revealed the top benefits of grassroots sport are meeting new people and getting people out of their homes, according to 75 per cent of respondents.

Other important benefits included improving wellbeing (73 per cent and garnering a sense of community spirit (72 per cent).

The new “Proud To Pitch In” scheme will see Greene King pledge £100,000 worth of grants in their first round of funding to local sports clubs before the end of January 2022, with additional funding to be made available in the New Year.

Whether it’s the local football team, rugby club or netball squad – beneficiaries of the “Proud To Pitch In” fund will receive a grant up to £3,000 each.

To support the scheme, Greene King has teamed up with former rugby union player James Haskell, who joins as “Proud To Pitch In’s” first ambassador. James began his distinguished rugby career at Maidenhead Rugby club – so knows first-hand how local sports clubs can have a profound impact on the top of the sporting pyramid.

In assessing just how crucial grassroots sports are to the nation, Greene King discovered that four in five people (81 per cent) believe grassroots sports are one of the best ways to meet new people, with more than a third (35 per cent) of the UK having made six to 10 friends at a local sports club.

On top of this, less than half (48 per cent) of the nation say they would raise funds for their local club if they could.

Aside from benefits within the community, the research also revealed that nine in 10 people (90 per cent) believe grassroots sports has had a positive impact on their physical health, with just one per cent stating it has been negative.

Unsurprisingly, football was named the UK’s most popular grassroots sport, with more than half (53 per cent) of those surveyed picking it as their favourite game.

Swimming made a splash in second spot with 31 per cent, followed by tennis (30 per cent) rounding off the top three sports.

It is clear community level sport has a huge impact on the highest level of the sporting pyramid.

These findings reinforce the need for increased funding, with around a quarter (25 per cent) of people saying that a lack of proper equipment is the biggest area that needs improvement in local clubs.

Approximately 400 Greene King local pubs and free trade sites are taking part in “Proud to Pitch In” with 10p from every pint of Greene King IPA sold in participating sites providing the funds for the scheme.

To support “Proud To Pitch In” simply head to one of the participating sites. For a full list visit: www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/proud-to-pitch-in/ .

If you are a local sports club and would like to find out more about funding, visit the Greene King website: https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/proud-to-pitch-in/ .