The CCPR and Bates, Wells & Braithwaite today welcomed the Inland Revenue’s decision to take a more flexible approach to registering multi-activity clubs as CASCs.

The decision represents a significant boost for grassroots clubs and supports wider government strategy to increase participation in sport and recreation and encourage the development of multi-sports hubs.

There are many thousands of community sports clubs which offer members the opportunity to engage in several activities. In the past some of these organisations have experienced difficulties registering with the Inland Revenue for CASC status as a result of the way they are constituted.

The new guidelines to aid multi-sports organisations wanting to register as CASCs and the decision to take a more flexible approach to these clubs for the purposes of the scheme, is recognition of the crucial role that all local sport and recreation clubs play in their communities and will be warmly welcomed in the sporting world.

Margaret Talbot, CCPR Chief Executive, said, "We are delighted that the Inland Revenue is offering fresh encouragement to so many sports clubs all over the country interested in obtaining CASC status.

"Approximately 2000 sports clubs have already taken advantage of the benefits on offer and £5 million has been kept in the voluntary sport sector for investment in clubs and sporting talent.

"Yet, thousands more clubs are eligible for registration and we hope that the Inland Revenue’s positive stance will encourage clubs to consider the scheme. We pay tribute to Bates, Wells & Braithwaite, who along with the CCPR have worked hard to negotiate these arrangements for sport."

Andrew Phillips, Lord Phillips of Sudbury, of Bates, Wells & Braithwaite said "It is excellent news that the Inland Revenue is taking a more flexible approach to registering multi-sports clubs as CASCs. That represents another landmark towards the goal of CASC status for the vast majority of sports clubs."

The Inland Revenue has today published new guidance about the options available for multi-sports clubs to clarify which type of organisations will now be able to register on the scheme. Multi-sports Clubs are advised to make use of the guidance before submitting any applications to the Inland Revenue (www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/casc/ ).