Following the Success of Team GB in Beijing, one in ten 16-24 Year Olds Have Taken up a new Sport

READING, England - A recent survey conducted by the MARS Refuel Drink Fund has revealed that one in ten 16-24 year olds on the UK have taken up a new sport, following the success of Team GB in Beijing. That’s an amazing 800,000 people!

The survey showed that the average sporting individual spends GBP32.52 a month on their sport, around 10% of their disposable income. This includes kit, travel, equipment, membership fees, league registrations fees and subs for training.

However with clubs and individuals feeling the effects of the current economic climate, the cost of participating in sport is potentially becoming a barrier to participate.

After its phenomenal launch in 2008, the MARS Refuel Drink Fund will be returning for three months from April 06 2009 to help sports clubs and individuals following their sporting dreams.

As a consequence, last year the MARS Refuel Drink Fund attracted 5,309 applications and helped to refuel 4,254 people. So if your football team is desperate for a new strip, or your basketball club needs new hoops, the MARS Refuel Drink Fund could help.

The fund, which launches on April 6 2009 until June 30 2009, has GBP10,000 to donate each month to the most deserving applicants. To celebrate its return, MARS Refuel will be offering a star prize of GBP5,000 for one lucky applicant in April only, with a maximum of GBP500 per applicant each month after.

Applications can be made online at www.marsrefuel.com offering support with anything from equipment costs, to improving training grounds and club houses.

You don’t just have to be part of a team to benefit. The fund will also give support to individuals raising money for charity through sporting activities, such as bike rides, mountain climbing and parachute jumps.

The site will be regularly updated with the names of the people and clubs awarded each month. They will also be invited to post comments, pictures and videos of themselves as part of their application.

The fund is open to residents of, and clubs and organisations based in the UK and Republic of Ireland only. Applicants must be 12 years or over and only one application will be accepted per person, club or organisation.

* The research for the MARS Refuel Drink Fund was carried out online by Opinion Matters/Tickbox.net between 17.03.09 and 25.03.09 amongst a nationally representative sample of 1009 UK Adults/partners/friends/relatives who take part in sport regularly.

MARS(R) is a registered trademark of Mars 2009.

Media Enquires

Please contact Rhianon Stevens or Holly James at Escapade PR on +44(0)118-920-7675 or email or Rhianon@escapadepr.com or Holly@escapadepr.com.

Source: MARS Consumer Drinks

Media Enquires: Please contact Rhianon Stevens or Holly James at Escapade PR on
+44(0)118-920-7675 or email or Rhianon at escapadepr.com or Holly at escapadepr.com.