FANS Scheme: Free Access for National Sportspeople

The FANS scheme provides sports people who compete at a national level with free access to sports facilities. It aims to help elite athletes achieve their full potential by reducing the financial burden of training costs.

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Eligibility

To be eligible for this scheme, you must be:

• Living, working or studying in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames;
• Currently listed in the top 10 of any national age group ranking in a sport recognised by Sport England*; and/or
• A current member of a national team or squad in a sport recognised by Sport England**.

*You must have competed and have a NGB recognised result in the previous 9 months, from the date of your application.
**You must be part of a national team on the date of your application.

Upon application to the scheme you must provide evidence from your National Governing Body of sport (a signed letter on NGB headed paper) or publicly displayed information about your performance level (eg from the NGB website).

Conditions of use

Scheme members are entitled to use any of the sports and fitness centres from the list provided but you must nominate one of the facilities as a ‘home venue’. The home venue is the facility you will use the most.

Each FANS sports and fitness centre will vary in what it can offer scheme members. Also, some may impose restrictions on the facilities and times they can be used free of charge. Centres and their restrictions are listed below:

Centre details

Centre	Details
Barn Elms Sports Trust	The Athletics track can be used in off peak times (9am - 5pm) for free providing the facility is not hired by schools or private events. The FANS card must be shown in the site office prior to your session.
Hampton Sport & Fitness Centre	Fitness suite can be used during normal opening hours, providing there is no disruption to fee paying customers. If the sports hall is required this will be subject to availability and at the discretion of the centre manager but must be specific and in relation to the FANS member’s sport.
Shene Sport & Fitness Centre	Fitness suite can be used during normal opening hours, providing there is no disruption to fee paying customers. If the sports hall is required this will be subject to availability and at the discretion of the centre manager but must be specific and in relation to the FANS member’s sport.
Teddington Pools & Fitness Centre	The pool and fitness suite can only be used during off peak times (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) and weekends providing there is no disruption to fee paying customers.
Teddington Sports Centre	The sports hall and other facilities will be subject to availability and at the discretion of the centre manager but must be specific and in relation to the FANS member’s sport.
Pools on the Park	The pool may be used where the times are highlighted in blue and green on the pool usage guide(pdf, 53KB). The fitness suite is not available to FANS members.
Richmond upon Thames College	The fitness suite may be used for free during normal opening hours, providing there is no disruption to fee paying customers. All gym users must complete a membership form and physical readiness questionnaire before using the gym. These are available from reception. If the sports hall or grass pitches are required this will be subject to availability and at the discretion of the centre manager or designated duty officer but must be specific and in relation to the FANS member’s sport.

Apply for a FANS card

To apply for a FANS card please complete the online application form. By completing this form you agree to the terms and conditions outlined below.

If you have any queries please contact Daniel Hayden on 020 8831 6133 or email Daniel.Hayden@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.

Terms and conditions

• Each London Borough of Richmond upon Thames FANS scheme member will be entitled to free use of the leisure facilities listed during designated times when the facilities are open, providing there is no disruption to other users and no additional cost incurred by the facilities, i.e. floodlighting. This will be at the discretion of the Sports Centre Manager.
• Membership of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames FANS scheme is renewable every 12 months pending continued sports performance at a national level, with National Governing Body confirmation required.
• Each London Borough of Richmond upon Thames FANS scheme member will be issued with a membership card at a cost of £8.50 for the year, which must be presented upon each visit and will be swiped through the computer to record each visit.
• Any activity that requires an induction and/or staff time will be payable at the normal rate e.g. fitness classes, personal training.
• In return for the benefits that London Borough of Richmond upon Thames FANS scheme members obtain from free usage of facilities, a condition of their membership specifies that within reason they will make every effort to attend promotional events as requested by London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. This may also include assistance in coaching activities (if appropriate).
• Conditions of hire and conduct appropriate to the facilities must be strictly adhered to; failure to do so may result in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames FANS scheme membership being withdrawn.
• You will need to provide evidence to confirm/support your involvement in sport at a national level (i.e. a letter from your National Governing Body).
• Successful applicants will be issued with a membership card and confirmation email. The card must be presented at the sports centre each time you visit.
• The home venue will be informed of any new members to the scheme.
• Terms and conditions and conditions of use are subject to change at any time.

Contact the Sports Development Team

Sports Development Team:

Civic Centre
44 York Street
Twickenham
TW1 3BZ

Telephone: 020 8831 6133
Email: leisure@richmond.gov.uk

Our office opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.

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