YOUNG people in Hampshire are getting the chance to play more sport after a cash boost.

Three sports clubs have bee awarded funding by Sport Solent in the Community.

The charity, led by Southampton Solent University, is a small grant scheme that supports community groups and individuals in Hampshire.

Professor Mike Wilkinson, charity trustee and deputy vice-chancellor at Solent, said: “An important part of our vision as a university is to be a catalyst for social justice and through the charity, these awards are helping local organisations address this important issue. We are proud to be able to help in this way.”

This year, funding has been awarded to Southampton Children’s Play Association, YMCA Newtown Youth Centre and the Hurricanes Rugby Club, following a round of funding applications where 39 bids were received.

Bids can be made from a minimum of £100 to a maximum of £1000 for sports equipment, training, coaching and venue hire to help deliver programmes of sport or physical activity.

Southampton Children’s Play Association provides organised play facilities for children aged five and over.

Speaking about the recent funding, Anna Roberts, play development manager, said: “The funding was a huge benefit to us as we used it to provide sports and dance workshops throughout 11 individual play schemes during the summer holidays.”

The YMCA Newtown Youth Centre is helping to transform communities.

They used their grant to help fund equipment for their recently refurbished centre that was relaunched in May 2015.

YMCA’s area director Andrew Simpson said: “We have been able to use the money to purchase much needed equipment which has made the opportunities for young people better, as well as helping us to structure our sessions better.

Hurricanes Rugby Club, based at Eastleigh Rugby Football Club, works with young adults with learning difficulties and slight physical disabilities.

They applied for funding for a winter training kit, as the team train throughout the year. A team of staff from Solent also helped with fundraising this year by taking part in the Tough Mudder challenge.