More people in Northern Ireland will have the opportunity to get
involved in sport thanks to the UK Government investing £600,000
in multisport grassroots facilities through the Irish Football
Association.
As part of the Government’s 2022/23 commitment, 28 facilities in
Northern Ireland are benefitting from new pitches, goalposts,
floodlights and changing rooms increasing the availability and
access to high quality facilities for football, hockey and other
grassroots sports.
A key priority for the Government is to level up access to
community sports facilities in all parts of the UK, to help as
many people as possible to get involved in sport and to deliver
all of the mental and physical health benefits associated with
active and healthy lifestyles.
The latest investment is part of the Government’s ongoing £300
million multi-year investment into grassroots multi-sport pitches
across the UK by 2025 - more than £7 million of this will be
invested in Northern Ireland.
Culture Secretary said:
“We are committed to levelling up access to sport which is so
important for the nation’s physical and mental health.
“Today we are delivering 28 new and improved grassroots sports
facilities across Northern Ireland to continue to support,
sustain and grow community and grassroots sport - so that
physical activity is accessible to all, no matter a person’s
background or location.
“We will continue to work with the Irish Football Association to
nurture the talent of the future whilst making sure local
communities have the sporting facilities that they need.”
A central aim of the programme is to level up access to community
sports facilities and invest in some of the most deprived areas
in the UK, to give as many people as possible the opportunity to
take part in sport. In order to achieve this, and to deliver
access that every community needs, at least 50% of investment
will be spent in underprivileged areas.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said:
“As a referee, I’ve witnessed first hand the benefits of
grassroots sport, and this significant funding announcement will
provide an amazing boost to communities across Northern Ireland,
allowing more people to enjoy access to these great facilities.
“During my recent visit to Crewe United, I heard what this
support means to local people, and I’m delighted that the UK
Government and Irish Football Association are working together to
widen participation in sport.”
Some of the facilities to benefit from the 2022/23 round of
investment in Northern Ireland include:
- Enniskillen Rangers FC in Fermanagh has received more than
£19,000 for a new changing pavilion;
- Magherafelt Sky Blues FC in Magherafelt has received more
than £15,000 to improve access, lighting and install new
goalposts;
- Newbuidings United FC in Newbuildings has received £30,000 to
upgrade the changing facilities for females and enhance
accessibility for individuals with disabilities;
- Springfield Star FC in Belfast has received more than £24,000
to upgrade their 3G pitch;
- Crewe United in South Antrim has received £24,000 to improve
disabled access, build a new dugout and install fencing;
- Coagh Sports Centre in Ulster has received more than £27,000
for grass pitch maintenance & storage;
A full list of the facilities to benefit from 2022/23 investment
in Northern Ireland can be found here.
40% per cent of the funding will be used to support multi-sport
facilities, ensuring a wide range of sports are supported and
helping to deliver benefits beyond football. The programme has a
particular focus on increasing participation among
underrepresented groups such as women and girls, and those with a
disability.
Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Football
Association said:
“This funding demonstrates an important investment in grassroots
football across Northern Ireland. The role of the Irish FA is to
promote, foster and develop football for all and we are delighted
to work with the UK Government to help local clubs provide the
facilities needed to increase access to the wide-ranging benefits
of grassroots football participation for previously
underrepresented groups and everyone in our community.”
The UK Government, in partnership with the Irish Football
Association, has now invested £1.3 million in facilities in
Northern Ireland since 2021, with over 50 sites having benefitted
to date.
Throughout the lifecycle of the grassroots multi-sport facilities
investment programme which will run to 2025, Northern Ireland
will receive more than £7 million to help nurture the talent of
the future.
