SEMLA Development Fund Appeal

One of the main aims of SEMLA, in addition to organising and managing the playing of mens lacrosse in the southern half of England and Wales, is to help fund the development of the game in the south.   This includes, not only grants for equipment for new clubs, but also joint funding of development projects for existing clubs.

In 2006 SEMLA matched a £2,377 donation by the Centurions to help set up lacrosse in Swansea, Cardiff, Exeter and Stafford Universities plus East Coast Lacrosse and the Royal Navy.   In 2008 SEMLA provided four grants of £250 each to Reading, Purley, Spencer and Cambridge University Lacrosse Clubs.   These grants, especially those in 2006, have gone a long way to assist the phenomenal growth of the game in the south.

SEMLA would like to continue their policy of providing financial support but our funds are limited.   The only major income SEMLA receives which is not used for specific administrative costs is the profit from the South Six-a-Side tournament.   They are therefore asking for individuals to help them by agreeing to give an annual donation to the SEMLA Development Fund.   All this money, together with some of the surplus they receive from other activities, will then be used to provide grants to new or existing clubs in the south of England and Wales to develop the game of mens lacrosse.

They plan to use the umbrella organisation of the South of England Lacrosse Educational Trust (SELET) to assist them. The trust has charitable status which enables them to receive government funding through Gift Aid. For each £10 donated by basic rate tax payers they can claim £2.80 from the Inland Revenue. In addition, higher rate taxpayers, who make donations, can themselves claim tax relief of £2.50 by including the donation on their tax return. So each £10 given by basic rate payers raises £12.80, and each £10 given to the sport by higher rate tax payers costs them £7.50 and raises £12.80.

They are asking all clubs to circulate this appeal to all their members, playing and non-playing, so that as much money as possible can be raised, on an annual basis preferably by the use of standing orders.   This will allow SEMLA to continue to play a major part in the ongoing development of the game of mens lacrosse in the southern half of the United Kingdom.

As an incentive SEMLA is offering the sum of £100 to be spent on lacrosse equipment at Zenith Sports to the club whose members set up the largest group of donations before 31st March 2010. The winning club will be announced at the SEMLA Flags Finals Day.