RAF Sports Federation

The RAF Sports Federation, established by replacing the RAF Sports Board Charity, is dedicated to enabling serving Royal Air Force personnel—including regulars, reserves, and auxiliaries—to participate in sports at all levels, from grassroots to elite. Rooted in the belief that sport builds essential character, resilience, teamwork, leadership, and wellbeing for military challenges, it fosters a vibrant sporting culture across RAF stations UK-wide. Its distinctive approach integrates sport deeply into RAF life, prioritizing inclusivity, health, discipline, and operational readiness through collaboration with RAF sports associations and governing bodies.

It funds a broad spectrum of sporting activities, including equipment purchases, facility improvements, training programmes, event organisation, and competition costs for disciplines like football, rugby, athletics, and winter sports. Support targets recognised RAF sports associations, teams, stations, and individuals, emphasising participation, development, and achievement to enhance physical fitness and mental health.

Eligibility is strictly limited to current serving RAF personnel and units based in the UK; external charities, the general public, or non-RAF entities are ineligible. Applications require endorsed forms (via RAF Sports Association representatives or Squadron Leader equivalents) submitted by email, with separate forms per sport. The 2025 window opens 1 January to 30 September (next deadline: 30 September 2025); small-to-medium grants reviewed monthly, large ones at February, May, and September meetings—submit 30 days prior.

Grants typically range £1,000–£50,000 (£5,000 max for individuals, higher for groups/stations), project-specific only (no unrestricted core costs unless tied to participation). Uniquely RAF-focused, it excludes non-serving or external activities, differentiating through its military-centric theory of change: sport as a transformative enabler for personal growth and service excellence.