Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle ,has welcomed today’s announcement that 31 clubs in Wicklow will benefit from this year’s Sports Capital Programme, receiving over €1.2m. Deputy Doyle was speaking as Minister for Sport, Michael Ring TD, announced a total of €40.5 million in new funding for 880 sports community projects nationwide. This represents a 33% increase on the last round of the Sports Capital Programme and brings the total figure granted since this Government came into office to €85 million.
Deputy Doyle said, “The last Government scrapped the Sports Capital Programme. Having reinstated the Programme when we came into office, this Government is demonstrating that despite limited finances, we are determined to invest in local facilities, which are the lifeblood of communities across Ireland.”
“The Government understands the importance of the work carried out by sports clubs and organisations in our communities and funding such as this helps them do this vital work. It assists clubs to build or improve their facilities and also enables them to buy much needed sports equipment. This in turn increases their capacity to cater to larger numbers of local people.”
“The more people we get involved playing sport, the better for the country’s overall physical and mental health. We particularly want to encourage more young people to get involved in sport, and start the good habits of a lifetime early.”
“Aside from promoting good health, sport also has a really valuable community development function. Sport brings local people together in towns and villages across the country, fostering a sense of solidarity in communities.”
“Unfortunately, due to the huge demand for the Programme, not all clubs and organisations who applied were successful this year. I encourage any clubs who have been disappointed to reapply for the next round of funding.”
“I am delighted that Wicklow is to benefit from this year’s Sports Capital Programme and I know that it will be of real benefit to the local people right across the county”, concluded Deputy Doyle.
Note:
· A total of 2,036 applications were made under the 2014 Programme, the second highest number ever received under a Sports Capital Programme.
· A total of 825 of the successful allocations go towards local sports clubs and organisations, with the remaining 55 allocated to regional or national projects.
· The allocations announced include funding for:
o Natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts;
o Floodlighting;
o Artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas;
o Security fencing and ball stop netting;
o Hurling walls / handball alleys;
o Building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets;
o Building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms;
o Non-personal sports equipment;
o Shared facilities;
o Permanently fixed outdoor gym equipment.
Clubs:
An Tochar GAA Club – €90,000.00
Ardmore Rovers FC – €18,000.00
Arklow Geraldines/Ballymoney GAA Club – €100,000.00
Arklow Lawn Tennis Club – €40,000.00
Arklow RFC – €60,627.00
Ashford GAA Club – €80,000.00
Ashford Rovers AFC – €42,000.00
Ballinacor Community Project – €42,000.00
Blessington Sailing Club – €24,000.00
Bray Bowling Club – €60,000.00
Bray Emmets GAA Club – €100,000.00
Bray Sailing Club – €18,000.00
Co Wicklow Lawn Tennis Club – €1,000.00
Cobra Gymnastics Club – €45,000.00
Enniskerry Boxing Club – €5,000.00
Glenealy Hurling Club – €80,000.00
Grangecon Boxing Club – €3,800.00
Greystones AFC – €10,000.00
Greystones Sailing Club – €9,000.00
Kildare Water Safety – €12,000.00
Loreto Bray Community Sports Project – €133,000.00
Peoples Park Users Committee – €17,000.00
Rathdrum Gymnastics Club – €12,000.00
Shamrock Bhoys FC – €17,000.00
Stratford Grangecon GAA – €60,000.00
Sugarloaf Gymnastics – €10,000.00
Three Castles Rowing Club – €17,000.00
Wicklow County Cricket Club – €7,000.00
Wicklow Rovers AFC – €43,000.00
Wicklow Rowing Club – €7,360.00
Wolfe Tone Community Centre – €50,000.00