Funding boost for many local sporting clubs
Funding of over €855,000 has been allocated for sport equipment across some 39 sporting clubs and organisations in Westmeath and Roscommon.
The funding was part of €16.6 million announced nationally by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin and the Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers today under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
Minister Martin said the grants would assist sports clubs and National Governing Bodies of Sport purchase the sports equipment to hopefully develop sporting heroes and Olympians of the future.
Some 22 clubs in Westmeath will share almost €394,000 in funding with the largest single allocation of €72,817 going to Athlone Boat Club for the fit-out of its boathouse and gym.
In Roscommon, almost €290k in funding will be distributed among 16 clubs. The largest allocation of €50,000 went to Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub for its disability boat.
In South Roscommon, Hodson Bay Celtic FC is receiving €27,549 for improvement of its grass pitch.
As part of an allocation of funding for regional projects, €172,629 was allocated to Roscommon County Board for gym equipment and a mower.
Minister Martin said: “Priority was given to projects that will increase participation, that are located in areas with higher levels of socio-economic disadvantage and to organisations that did not receive significant funding under the Programme previously. In terms of how applications were scored, I am particularly pleased that an even greater emphasis was placed on encouraging increased women’s participation in sport.
“We remain committed to further capital investment in sport and while today’s grants relate mainly to relatively small equipment purchases,
later this year we will announce the allocation of grants for capital projects under the Programme.”
As well as applications from local sports clubs, over €2m is being provided for sports equipment for National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs). Amongst the organisations to benefit under the grants are the, FAI, Rowing Ireland, Swim Ireland, Paralympics Ireland and Special Olympics Ireland as well as dozens of others. Another €1.4m is being allocated for projects deemed to be of “regional” significance. Amongst these grantees are a number of county ladies football associations, Leinster Athletics and the Irish Homeless Street leagues.
Minister of State Peter Burke welcomed the announcement.
“I am delighted that equipment funding has been approved for some excellent clubs in our area. This funding will assist clubs with equipment and accessories and possibly nurture some Olympians of the future.”
“The equipment involved ranges from goalposts to boats and is very welcome as we see a gradual return to club activity.
“This funding is separate to capital funding, which will be announced shortly.
Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan also welcomed €461,975 in funding for Roscommon
“This is great news for 16 clubs all across Roscommon who applied for equipment only under the Sports Capital & Equipment Programme (SCEP) and won €290k. Roscommon GAA County Board also secured funding under the regional category for €172,629 for gym equipment and a mower.
“For local clubs this is a fantastic boost especially when we have been through such a tough year in lockdown where it has been so challenging for any fundraising efforts.
WESTMEATH
Athlone Boat Club Fit-out of Boathouse & Gym €72,817
Athlone Sub Aqua Club Ltd Search and recovery boat replacement €39,287
Athlone Triathlon Club Athlone Triathlon Club grant application €7,881
Ballinahown FC New Mower - Goal Post - Line Marker €17,975
BCDL Friendship Club Indoor Exercise Equipment and Bowling Mat €19,542
Castletown Geoghegan Camogie Club Team Training Exercise Equipment €20,546
Coralstown Kinnegad GAA Provision of Sports Equipment €13,295
DLBC Community Games Exercise Equipment for children & young people. €9,101
Lilliput Gaels Gaa To purchase goalposts for u11 and u13 Teams €833
Meath Masters Swimming Club Outdoor Swimming Safety & Race Equipment €806
Midland Triathlon Club Training Equipment €8,231
Mullingar Canoe Polo Club Canoe Polo equipment for growing club €55,525
Mullingar Cricket Club Upgrading & Purchase of Club Training Equipment €3,864
Mullingar Gymnastics Club Kids, youths, adults Gymnastics equipment & floor. €32,051
Mullingar Hockey Club Club Owned Sports Equipment €13,354
Mullingar Jets Swimming Club Application for Sports Capital Equipment Grant €10,123
Mullingar Riding Club Equipment for dressage & derby €11,185
Olympic Boxing Club Mullingar Sports Equipment for Olympic BC Mullingar €11,790
Rochfortbridge Pitch and Putt club Provision of Fairways mower €19,460
St Malachys GAA Club Provision of Juvenile Sports Equipment €5,918
St Marys Scouts (Athlone) Purchase of Kayaks/Canoes and Accessories €10,542
Westmeath Minotaurs American football club Non-Personal Equipment €9,651
ROSCOMMON
Athlone Golf Club Course maintenance equipment & fleet of buggies €21,979
Athlone Gymnastics Club Gymnastics Equipment €15,019
Ballaghaderreen FC Club Development 2021 €20,447
Ballaghaderreen Golf Club Course Maintenance Machinery Upgrade €28,939
Ballyfarnon Community Group Repair of floor in Ballyfarnon Community Centre €6,200
Boyle Community Tennis Association Club Equipment €4,499
Boyle GAA Club Grass mower, pitch roller & storage container. €24,225
Castlerea Celtic FC Sports Equipment Initiative €29,807
Four Roads Ladies Football club Sports equipment for Ladies Football €3,570
Hodson Bay Celtic F.C. Grass Pitch Facility Improvement €27,549
Kilbride GAA Club Lawn Mower Purchase €20,000
Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub 'Resilience' €50,000
Roscommon Sports Partnership Cycle Programme €2,000
South Roscommon Cycling Club SRCC Indoor training enabler €9,302
Strokestown Golf Club Mower €15,863
Suck Valley AC funding to aid in purchasing athletics equipment €9,947