Ulster Rugby gets go ahead for redevelopment of Underhill

Work on three new stands at the Ravenhill Rugby Ground, home of Ulster Rugby is expected to commence before the end of 2012.  The plans were approved on Tuesday, January 24^th by Environment Minister Alex Attwood.
The new ground will increase in capacity to 18,200 and will have the facilities to host the final of the Rabodirect Pro12 or a quarter final of the Heineken Cup.  Development will take place on a phased basis with completion expected towards the middle of 2015.
Northern Ireland Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin said the securing of more than £100 million towards capital development of facilities at Underhill, in Gaelic Games at casement Park and soccer at Windsor Park was vital for sport in Belfast and that this approval was a milestone in terms of seeing progress on the ground.
“The refurbished stadium will help the development of the sport at every level from the grassroots through to international levels, said Ulster Rugby Chief Executive Shane Logan.
Bank of Ireland, Kukri, Vodafone and the Belfast Telegraph are the principal sponsors of Ulster Rugby and there are a good range of additional supporters from Coca Cola to Wagamama.

Camogie awards €100,000 in capital grants

The Camogie Association has announced the awarding of €100,000 from its own resources to a total of 22 projects across the country.  Cork Camogie Board was the biggest recipient with a grant of €14,350 to develop county grounds.
They have their own pitch on a 100 year lease from the city council and will put the money towards developing changing rooms and facilities to enable the hosting of matches as well as training.
Tipperary and Dublin got grants of €10,000 and €8,000 respectively while 18 clubs were also included with grants ranging upwards from €1,000. Last year’s club finalists Iniscarra have developed their own camogie pitch within their club and received €6,500 towards its further development.
The once off capital funding scheme was announced at last year’s Camogie Congress and attracted a large number of applications.
“The applications to the Capital Funding Scheme were extremely competitive and of an impressive standard. It also provided an excellent snap shot of the huge commitment of volunteers at county and club level to promoting and developing camogie in their respective areas,” said Camogie Association President Joan O’Flynn.
Racing hits record crowds in Britain
Horse racing attracted a record number of attendees in 2011 with 6.15 million people passing through the turnstiles.  This is 100,000 more than the previous high set in 2004.
The rise echoes that seen in by racing authorities in Ireland who last week announced a 3.5 per cent increase in the number of race goers through the past 12 months.
Television viewing is also on the rise with one million more people tuning into the 2011 John Smiths Grand National than had done so in 2010.
The figures were boosted by an initiative across 26 racecourses in April which prompted people to ‘try racing for free’.  Many of these were new to racing according to the sports promotional body in Britain, Racing for Change.  The long term approach of introducing people without a cover charge appears to have worked.
Leopardstown hosts the BCP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle this Sunday, January 29^th.
Cricket Ireland plans aim at test status by 2020
Cricket Ireland announced ambitious development plans yesterday, aiming towards the achievement of full test status by 2020.
The development plan aims to increase participation to 50,000 and achieve a world ranking in the top 8 cricketing nations.
Sport for Business weekly will feature the Cricket Ireland development plans in this week’s issue (online Thursday, January 26^th).  We will also have an interview with Tim Burnell, Vice President Corporate Communications for Emirates Airlines and a feature on how clubs can raise important funds through online prediction games.