Council Launches Sports Grants

June 18, 2018

On behalf of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Leisure & Community Development Committee has launched the Council’s exciting community sports grant programme to the value of nearly £42,000. The programme will help sports clubs, community groups and sporting governing bodies increase participation in sport in their local area.

The small grants programme entitled, ‘Be Active, Stay Active Awards’ was developed in conjunction with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and Sport Northern Ireland.  The aim of the programme is to prioritise the development of grassroots sports projects which will address the continued under-representation in sport amongst women and girls, people with disabilities and people living in areas of greatest need.

Groups can apply for grants from £1,000 - £2,500 and eligible groups include Governing Bodies of Sport (recognised by Sport NI), Sports Clubs (affiliated to a Governing Body of Sport recognised by Sport NI), Charities (with a registered charity number), Parent Teacher Associations and Community/Voluntary Groups.

Launching the ‘Be Active, Stay Active Awards’, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, Alderman Paul Porter said, “The Council is delighted to be working in partnership with Sport NI to provide funding to groups who play a vital role in addressing health inequalities and improving health and wellbeing opportunities in their local area.

“This year, we have increased the minimum grant threshold to £1,000 to further support eligible groups as they strive to improve participation levels in sport amongst under-represented groups and in areas of greatest need. It is hoped that this funding will inspire groups to make a real difference in their local area and have a positive impact on the lives of the community.”

Alderman Paul Porter added, “The current round of funding opens on Friday 29th June at 12 noon and closes on Friday 20th July at 12 noon and I would encourage as many eligible groups as possible to apply.  The Council is also holding two information roadshows to showcase the funding opportunities available on Wednesday 27th June at 7pm at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex in Lisburn and Thursday 28th June at 7pm at Lough Moss Leisure Centre in Carryduff.”

For further details and a copy of the grant application form and guidance notes, please visit www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/things-to-do/sports-development/be-active-stay-active-awards.  Funding opens on Friday 29th June at 12 noon and closes on Friday 20th July at 12 noon.