Southport's John McGrady Awarded Snap Fitness Granti

SNAP Fitness has announced that a football coach from Southport and club founder, John McGrady, 45, is 1 of 12 winners of its inaugural Grassroots to Greatness Athletic Grant Programme. Chosen from a pool of more than 200 applications nationwide, John, a member of Snap Fitness Southport, has been awarded funding to support his work with FC Sandgrounders.

John and the founding committee set up the inclusive football club after noticing a lack of representation for girls, boys and young people with additional needs in local sport. What started with his daughter's interest in football has grown into a full community project offering opportunities for players of all abilities; from girls' teams to SEN football and open age sessions. With a strong committee and volunteers behind him, John has worked tirelessly to provide kits, training venues and safeguarding support, creating a genuine:- "club for all."

On receiving the grant John said:- "I was overwhelmed when I found out. I never thought we'd have a chance, but this kind of support means everything. We rely on funding like this, and it will go towards coaches' uniforms and training tops. I can't wait to share the news with the team; they'll be so excited."

Snap Fitness EMEA CEO Kevin Yates said:- "Grassroots to Greatness is about more than financial support. It's about belief, visibility and opportunity. We wanted to do something meaningful for our communities; we wanted to give back, inspire and motivate and this is how Grassroots to Greatness was conceived. We are proud to back this incredibly inspiring group of athletes and over the next year we will share their stories, their highs, hopefully not too many lows and their journeys as they pursue their sporting dreams."

The Grassroots to Greatness programme has awarded a total of £20,000 in grants to 12 athletes and clubs across the UK & Ireland representing a wide range of sports including:- athletics, mountaineering, para rowing, karate, American football, ultra running and more. Over the next year Snap Fitness will share their stories to inspire communities to engage with sport and fitness at every level.

John added:- "The girls inspire me every day with their resilience and determination. When things get tough, I think of them; and of my daughter; and it keeps me going. My message to others is simple:- try it, give it a go, and give 100%."

THE North West Net Zero Hub has produced a new report setting out how the Liverpool City Region and its partners across the North West will play a leading role in the UK's clean energy revolution, driving economic growth.

The North West Clean Power Report sets out how the transition to clean energy will create a transformative opportunity for the Region's 7 million residents. It predicts a rapid expansion in the clean energy workforce, with:- 35,000 new roles, by 2028, and also forecasts billions of pounds of investment flowing into the Region in the next few years as a result of national energy policy.

This investment is expected to position the North West as a global leader in clean energy innovation and industrial decarbonisation, attracting new businesses and developments to supercharge the Region's economic growth.

The report anticipates Great British Energy's forthcoming Local Power Plan and an expanded role for local Government and communities to own and operate local power schemes, unlocking new opportunities for community wealth building and energy resilience. It recommends that local Government can enable 1 GW of locally owned renewables by 2030; enough energy to power around 750,000 homes.

The report goes on to say that, by working together to realise this opportunity, the North West can deliver economic security, increased business growth, and enhanced health outcomes for everyone in the Region.

The Liverpool City Region is already demonstrating national leadership in clean energy and retrofit delivery. Key highlights identified in the Clean Power report include:-

The Mersey Tidal Power Scheme; the UK's most advanced tidal range project, now in the formal planning process, promising jobs, growth, clean energy and flood protection for 120 years.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is leading a subregional consortium to deliver a public building investment programme, combining:- £35.8 million of national grant funding for heat decarbonisation, matched with local funds and loans, alongside a multi-million pound rooftop solar programme

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has earmarked:- £119 million to invest in new electric buses, depots and infrastructure upgrades as it rolls out bus franchising

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "For generations, our Region has helped power the UK; and today we're leading the charge again, this time in the race to net zero. The North West Clean Power Report shows just how big the opportunity is for our people:- tens of thousands of well-paid jobs, billions in investment, and cheaper, cleaner energy for our communities. We're already proving what's possible with ambitious projects like Mersey Tidal Power, but this is only the start. By working together as 1 North West, we can put our Region at the heart of the UK's clean energy future; creating a fairer, greener, and more prosperous place to live and work for generations to come."

Juergen Maier, Chair of Great British Energy said:- "The move to renewable power in the UK represents the biggest economic opportunity in a generation. This report highlights the significance of what is underway right now. Regions like the North West are seizing this opportunity and demonstrating the very real benefits. Great British Energy fully supports this report in helping multiple Regions to create new jobs, stimulate British innovation and manufacturing, and above all deliver secure, cheap, renewable energy for millions of homes and businesses."

The North West Clean Power Report identifies a major opportunity for industry and private sector partners to lead the UK's clean energy transition. With billions in potential investment across clean power, heat networks, hydrogen, CCUS, and grid infrastructure, the Region is poised to become a hub for green innovation and industrial decarbonisation. Businesses can benefit from lower energy costs, access to clean power, and proximity to emerging supply chains. The report also highlights the role of private capital in scaling up local energy projects, with opportunities for strategic investment in retrofit, renewables, and advanced manufacturing.

Key North Westl project pipelines include:-

• £2.6 billion investment in onshore clean power projects.
  

• £3.6 billion investment in the power distribution networks.l
  

• £12 billion offshore wind in the Irish Sea.
  

• £2.5 billion investment in nuclear R&D.

The North West Net Zero Hub, which produced the report, is hosted by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Jane Gaston, Net Zero North West CEO said:- "We are delighted to see the launch of the North West Clean Power Report. As well as highlighting the significant investment in jobs and industry for our Region, it outlines the vital role industry and private sector partners play when it comes to driving clean energy production at scale. Here in the North West, we are leaders in the UK's clean energy transition. We must keep up this brilliant momentum and continue to collaborate to reap further benefits for our Region."

Read the full paper online now.