Free access for county sportspeople (FACS)

Eligibility criteria

• Applicant must be playing for a county team or above in their sport for the current year/sporting season
• Applicant must be representing said team through competitive matches
• Applicant must apply for a FACS membership within three months of notified selection for team
• If a county team for a particular sport doesn’t exist, we will consider ‘county level’ at our own discretion
• Evidence from previous years/seasons will not be accepted
• Applicants must provide evidence of such sporting standard from their national governing body of sport. This can include; a formal document such as a letter on headed paper from the national governing body or confirmation from an official email address including a signature or a link to a registered document with the national governing body branding.
• More evidence may be requested if needed to make an appropriate decision.

You can apply online using the link below.  You will need:  

• Two passport photographs to get your card
• Proof of eligibility from your National Governing Body of Sport. For example:
  - A formal document such as a letter on headed paper from the National Governing Body
  - A confirmation from an official email address including a signature or a link to a registered document with the National Governing Body branding

FACS online application

You can also get a hard copy of the application form at one of the leisure centres listed above or call the Leisure team on 01483 523392.

Successful applicants may be granted access to one of the below leisure centres:

• Cranleigh Leisure Centre
• Farnham Leisure Centre
• Godalming Leisure Centre
• Haslemere Leisure Centre

To obtain free access you must show your FACS card each time you visit a leisure centre.

1. All FACS card users:

• Must be playing for a county team or above in their sport in accordance with the eligibility criteria
• Must be a resident of Waverley
• Must show a valid FACS card on every visit to the facility
• Will be restricted to the use of core activities
• Cannot book free facilities in advance (With the exception of Teenfit sessions which must be booked in advance)
• Must be a minimum of 16 years of age to train alone in the gym. 12-15 year olds are entitled to book Teenfit sessions in advance, free of charge, on their FACS card. All FACS users must book and pay for an induction.

2. Waverley Borough Council reserves the right to terminate membership should any breach of the FACS scheme conditions occur, or should the facility manager give reasonable grounds.

3. Waverley Borough Council reserves the right to alter the conditions of use at any time, at the discretion of Waverley Borough Council and Places Leisure.

4. All cards remain the property of the council.

5. If you apply for a card to which you are not entitled, it could subject you to legal action.

6. Continued qualification for the scheme will be reviewed on an annual basis. If your circumstances change and you are no longer eligible for the card, you must inform Waverley Borough Council and stop using it immediately. If you go on using the card when you know you are not entitled to do so, you could be subject to legal action.

7. If your card is lost or stolen we will charge £5 to provide you with a replacement and you will need to provide another photograph.

There is a range of other support available for talented athletes such as:

• Sports councils - Your local sports councils all have funding allocated towards helping talented athletes within Waverley. 
• Surrey Playing Fields - Surrey Playing Fields offer some financial support to young sports people who compete at elite level.
• Sports Aid - A dedicated organisation towards helping talented athletes.