AQW 3405/22-27

Mr David Honeyford
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 22/09/2022
Answered On Date: 04/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to outline which new sporting events his Department or its non-departmental public bodies has been endeavouring to bring to Northern Ireland since devolution was restored in 2020.

Answer:

The staging of major sporting events has played a crucial part in growth of the tourism sector in Northern Ireland over the past decade, including hosting the Giro d’Italia in 2014, the Irish Open (2012, 2015, 2017 and 2020), Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017, UEFA Women’s U19’s Football Tournament 2017 and one of the most successful Open Championship’s in 2019. These events have not only delivered substantial economic benefits but have also assisted in generating significant social benefits, including high levels of civic pride.

Officials at Tourism NI and my Department have successfully confirmed the return of The Open to Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2025. The decision to bring the Open back to Northern Ireland, is another ringing endorsement for golf and sporting events and came at an important time in relation to Covid recovery for Northern Ireland.

Additionally, Galgorm and Masserene Golf Clubs hosted the ISPS Handa World Invitational in 2021 and 2022. This innovative event encompasses male and female golfers competing on the same courses at the same time for equal prize money. This unique tournament is at the forefront of innovation in golf and sport in general, pioneering equality. The event, which is promoted by DP World Tour, is also the first of its kind in Northern Ireland given its tri-sanctioned status with the DP World Tour, Ladies European Tour and the LPGA.

Furthermore, officials at Tourism NI and my Department are currently observing the process for the UEFA European Championship five nations bid (UK & Ireland). A number of scoping exercises are also also under way to consider the potential of securing further major sporting events in the next decade, however due to confidentiality reasons I cannot provide details on these at this stage.