Bristol has pledged to involve every corner of its “diverse community” after being unveiled as the UK’s European City of Sport for 2017.

After the award was accepted by the Bristol Partnership for Sport and Active Recreation on behalf of the city, the council indicated that women and girls in sport would be a key theme during the year.

In 2017, Bristol’s County Ground will host matches from the 2017 ICC Cricket World Cup, and female sport is “showing exceptional growth and success” following the launch of the Bristol Girls Can campaign, which encourages physical activity participation.

Mayor George Ferguson will also dedicate £5,000 (US$7,151, €6,443) from his discretionary fund to contribute towards black and ethnic minority sports groups in the area. St Jude’s Women’s Group, Docklands Youth Centre, Bristol West Indies Phoenix Cricket Club and the Bristol Brothers football team are among the groups who will benefit from the additional funding.

Ferguson said that he “took an early decision to investigate the potential of sport” soon after becoming mayor in 2012, and the bid followed a mayoral commission on sport chaired by Colin Sextone, the chair of the Bristol Partnership for Sport and Active Recreation.

“I particularly want to emphasise the importance of community sport, and each of the sports projects that I have decided to support with my discretionary fund is making a real contribution towards maintaining and increasing sports participation, often with great social benefit,” he added.

“A population that engages in sport, and is more active in everyday life, will help transform our city mentally, socially and physically.”

European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation (ACES) awarded Bristol the title following a judging process which scrutinised the city’s sporting facilities, residents’ level of participation, the success of local teams and sporting events.

It will be one of several cities of sport chosen all over the continent.

Former Bristol City chair Sextone added: “The year of celebration will serve as a catalyst to promote the importance of healthy lifestyles, to increase participation in sport and active recreation in the city, and to engage all of the city’s many and diverse communities.”

Local grassroots sports clubs have also be allocated a £250,000 (US$357,677, €322,167) Community Sports Grants pot which they can bid for.

Bristol takes over the mantle from Stoke-on-Trent, which is the UK’s European City of Sport for 2016. Stoke City Council has committed £3.5m (US$5m, €4.5m) to deliver a programme of sporting activity through 2016 and beyond as it aims to create a “lasting legacy”.