Sport Ireland has formally opened the application process for a new €2 million ‘Sport for All’ Disability Supports Club Fund.
The Scheme will be open to the affiliated clubs of Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Bodies (NGBs). The fund offers such clubs an opportunity to provide inclusive programmes and supports for people with a disability.
The fund will support the initiation or enhancement of disability-specific activities within grassroots sports clubs.
Clubs will apply directly to their NGB for funding. NGBs will in turn submit a consolidated application on behalf of its club network to Sport Ireland.
Clubs can apply for funding of between €1,000 and €5,000 to support the following areas:
- Disability Supports Education & Training
- Disability Supports Programme Activation and Delivery
- Disability Supports Small Scale Equipment and Infrastructure
“The NGB Club Fund being launched today responds directly to the commitment made in the Sport Action Plan 2021-2023 that I launched last November,” said Minister of State for Sport, Jack Chambers.
“Helping the sports sector, especially the club network, to recover from the damage caused by the pandemic is one of my top priorities alongside the promotion of a “sport-for-all” ethos across the sector.”
There’s €2 million being set aside under this new Fund and it presents a great opportunity for sports clubs everywhere to consider how they might make their sport even more accessible for people in their communities, especially those with a disability.”
“Sport can offer so many benefits to people’s health and wellbeing and we need to make that a reality on the ground for more and more people.”
Funding guidelines will be distributed directly to all eligible Sport Ireland recognised NGBs. The closing date for applications from NGBs to Sport Ireland will be Monday, September 1st, 2022.
This is a very tight turnaround meaning clubs will likely have to make their applications within the next two to three weeks, at a time of peak holiday season, but that will enable a quick turnaround of funding by December 2022.
The ‘Sport for All’ Disability Supports Club Fund is part of a broader €4 million Dormant Accounts Fund investment programme that aims to support the delivery of the Government’s ‘Sport for All’ initiative along with Sport Ireland’s Diversity and Inclusion, Disability and Women in Sport Policies.
“Today’s announcement of the investment package for Dormant Accounts Funding will allow for exciting initiatives and projects that will promote sport and physical activity in society,” said Kieran Mulvey, Chair of Sport Ireland.
“The continuation of this funding will go a long way to having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of communities across Ireland.”
“The Dormant Account Funding has given NGBs and sports clubs in Ireland the opportunity to get new programmes and initiatives off the ground that may not have been possible without this injection of funding,” added CEO Dr Una May.
“The investment means more opportunities within sports and clubs become possible, with our NGB’s and their members benefiting in return. I want to thank the government once again for this approved funding which will be of major benefit to the sports sector.”
