A unique website has just been launched in the UK which has the potential to raise £5.1 million for grass roots sport*. The cutting edge platform, Fantastar.com, allows sports clubs and schools to set up their own fantasy sport leagues and then generate funds by charging friends, family and club members to register teams.

Fantastar.com works very differently to conventional fantasy league websites. It does not require the likes of David Beckham or Steven Gerrard because it’s the pupils and club players who become the stars of the show. Once registered, members create a fantasy team by selecting a side made up of players from their club or school. This exciting concept is currently free to all schools and sports club within the UK, allowing them to generate additional funds to help train and develop the sports stars of the future.

Performance and sportsmanship are the main areas where points are scored. The website rewards those who play fair whilst those who receive cards will loss precious points. The scoring system has been set up to motivate and encourage players of all levels, helping them to develop their skills.

Rob Tong, one of the co-founders of Fantastar.com said, “To date fantasy leagues have only been associated with professional sports but our mission is to turn this on its head. By offering a similar service to schools and clubs, we can help them raise money for new kit, equipment and even training facilities. Through ploughing money back into amateur sport we hope to ensure that sport in this country has a bright future at all levels."

For London Wayfarers Hockey Club, one of Fantastar’s members, it has done just that. Their fantasy league competition has attracted 170 fantasy team registrations, raising over £800 in the process. "It's a lot of fun, helps members of the club to get to know each other, generates funds for the club and the player stats are a source of much banter in the bar!" says Wayfarers' club chairman Matt Dean.

The website currently supports hockey, football, cricket and rugby but aims to expand. “We’re looking to branch out to include more sports" Rob Tong continues, “and Fantastar intends to dovetail with the 2012 Olympic build-up to help develop a legacy that will get more people involved in grass roots sport.”

To find out more go to www.fantastar.com