Transport for Wales (TfW) is offering grants of up to £400 to community groups along the Heart of Wales Line to encourage participation in sport and sustainable travel.

The funding is through a new ‘Train 2 Play’ grant scheme launched by the Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP), and is aimed at sports clubs, associations, and community organisations to help them deliver activities that encourage participation in sport and sustainable travel.

The deadline for applications is next Monday at 1.00 pm, and is for groups local to the Heart of Wales Line. To qualify for funding, events must take place within two miles of a station along the scenic Heart of Wales Line, and between 1st July and 31st October 2026.

The ‘Train 2 Play’ scheme aims to develop opportunities for people to become involved in sport and physical activities, which could be through events that attract new participants, or by creating new and more accessible activities.

Restrictions on the use of the funding are that it must go towards the costs of venue hire, coaching fees, equipment, advertising, and promotional activity. After a group has received funding, all funded events will be promoted as a ‘Train 2 Play’ event, which will also show how rail can be used to access events and encourage communities to travel in more sustainable ways.

The initiative is part of Community Rail Week, where Community Rail Partnerships and station groups throughout the country work to connect communities, support inclusion, and promote greener and healthier travel.

The ‘Train 2 Play’ scheme reflects those aims by providing help for people to travel by train to access local sporting opportunities, as well as strengthening links between the railway and the communities it serves. Further information about ‘Train 2 Play’ eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found here.

A similar community funding scheme is being run by Govia Thameslink Railway through its ‘Your Station, Your Community’ scheme, and by Greater Anglia through Community Garden Week.

“We’re delighted to launch the ‘Train 2 Play’ Grant Scheme and support organisations that are helping people become more active while also promoting sustainable travel. “The Heart of Wales Line connects so many communities, and we want to encourage more people to use the railway to get involved in new activities, take part in local events and build stronger community connections through sport.”

Owen Griffkin, Community Rail Development Officer for the Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership