Council launches new funding scheme for sports clubs

November 6, 2020

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in partnership with Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh have invested £30,000 towards a new funding scheme, which will provide much needed financial support for local sports clubs experiencing hardship as a result of Covid-19.

The ‘Return to Sport Fund’ has been launched to help local sports clubs meet their running costs, specifically those no longer supported with revenue due to the impact of the pandemic. Costs covered under the fund include, rent, facility hire, governing body fees, utility bills, ground maintenance, PPE and selected insurance and sports equipment.

Groups can apply for funding from approximately £500 - £1,000 for costs incurred from 1st April 2020. The fund is open to sports clubs located within the Lisburn & Castlereagh area who are affiliated to both a Governing Body and Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh.

Launching the ‘Return to Sport Fund’, the Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, Alderman Michael Henderson MBE said, “We recognise the financial pressure sports clubs have faced this year therefore we are pleased to work with Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh to provide this valuable support to eligible clubs in the council area.

“Sports plays a crucial role in helping communities get active which has a positive impact on people’s physical and mental health, which is of paramount importance at this time. Clubs are located at the heart of our communities therefore they offer a lifeline to their members in terms of their engagement in regular activity as well as a forming a sense of belonging and resilience.

“The closing date for applications for the ‘Return to Sport Fund’ is Friday 27th November at 5pm and I would encourage as many eligible sports clubs as possible to apply.”

Chairman of Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh, Mr Jimmy Walker added, “Sports clubs have lost critical income during the pandemic so we are pleased to work in partnership with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council to provide a new funding scheme to help sports clubs meet their running costs. Assistance is available for help with rent, facility hire, utility bills, ground maintenance, Governing Body fees and selected insurance and sports equipment costs.”

“The funding is available to sports clubs from the City of Lisburn & Castlereagh who are affiliated to a Governing Body and Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh, and I would encourage as many of these clubs to apply.”

For further details and a copy of the funding application form and guidance notes, please visit https://surveys.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/s/ReturnToSportFund/ or email Kevin Madden, Community Sports Development Officer at kevin.madden@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk. Completed application forms must be submitted before Friday 27th November at 5pm.