Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has called on thousands of amateur sports clubs across the UK to join the Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) scheme in a bid to benefit from major tax savings.

More than 5,500 sports clubs are currently registered with the CASC initiative, which has saved organisations more than £60m in tax relief over the past seven years and is designed to provide more money to drive a sporting legacy post-2012. Launched via the 2002 Finance Act, the CASC scheme enables amateur sports clubs that meet certain eligibility criteria to receive mandatory business rate relief for 80 per cent of total rates bills and the potential to reclaim Gift Aid on donations.

Sutcliffe said: "It is great that we have signed up more than 5,500 clubs to the Community Amateur Sports Club scheme and that many sports clubs are reaping the benefits it brings. But there are thousands of clubs out there that are missing out. "Sports clubs will play a crucial role in helping us reach our goal of getting 2 million people more active by 2013. Being part of the scheme means that clubs will have more funds at their disposal to help increase participation."

Brigid Simmonds, chair of the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR), added: "Through registering as a CASC, clubs can keep the money they have raised in the community. That means it can be re-invested in kit, in coaching and in facilities - all for the good of local sport."