AQW 18862/22-27
Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley
Tabled Date: 26/11/2024
Answered On Date: 07/01/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the work his Department is undertaking to support sports clubs in making access to sports and physical activity more affordable.
Answer:
Sport NI, an arm’s length body of my Department, has responsibility for the development of sport across Northern Ireland. I asked the Chief Executive of Sport NI for details of relevant programmes which they offer. He has advised me as follows: “In 2023 Sport Northern Ireland (Sport NI) launched a Renewable Energy Fund (pilot scheme), a £1million pound National Lottery funded investment programme with two primary objectives: “To reduce the environmental impact of sports club across Northern Ireland. “Develop SNI’s understanding of the needs of the sports sector and how environmental interventions can impact the operations of sports clubs; the knowledge gained will inform how we invest in the future. “The fund also seeks to reduce carbon emissions, produce greener sports clubs, make savings on energy bills, and create a more financially sustainable club sector. Although the programme does not stipulate how a club should use their savings, it is intended that should there be future iterations, savings be redirected into sports development.” “Sport NI recently launched the Creating Opportunities Crowdfunder small grants programme, which is available to local clubs. Clubs can apply for funding for any new and/or additional participation projects they wish to run within their club. The programme offers up to 50% match-funding support to a maximum of £5,000 from Sport NI through the Crowdfunder platform. Eligible costs include (but are not exclusive to) coaching costs, venue hire, workshops costs, equipment and capital costs required to deliver their participation project. “In 2024/25 the Crowdfunder programme has approved £141,015 of match funding to a total of 31 different approved projects. “Please also see web link for more information on Creating Opportunities Crowdfunder: http://www.sportni.net/funding/creating-opportunities/” The Chief Executive also advised me of the following programmes which Sport NI has supported with Exchequer funding under District Council Community Planning: “10 applications were received from Local Authorities (Ards & North Down didn’t apply). 6 applications at this stage have been deemed to be successful within the available budget to facilitate sport and physical activity opportunities. These are as follows; “Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon’s ‘Get Moving ABC’. The proposed project focusses on Walking Netball, Multi use games area programmes, a girls active programme and a local basketball pathway programme. “Mid Ulster’s Promoting Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity in Mid Ulster. The proposed project aims to develop a range of sport and physical activity projects such as swimming and multi activity for neurodivergent people along with several forest walks for older people. “Lisburn & Castlereagh’s Commit to Fit 2025 programme. This directly links sport and physical activity projects into 3 of the 5 themes within the Community Plan namely: “Children and Young People “Health and Well Being “Our Community “Antrim and Newtownabbey’s Take a Dive into ’25 programme. This includes the Healthy Kids School Coaching Programme focusing on physical activity, mindfulness and healthy eating within 25 schools within the borough and is focused on the most socially deprived wards within the borough. They will also offer primary schools swimming programmes, also focussing on areas of social deprivation which would otherwise not have access to this sport and physical activity programme. “Causeway Coast & Glens has proposed a range of projects from Boccia, ASD initiatives, swimming and other mainstream sports such as Gymnastics , Cricket and Golf to communities who would otherwise not be able to access such sporting activities. “Fermanagh and Omagh’s Community Active programme (the first reserve), which is focused on developing a range of physical activity projects specifically for children and older people who would not usually have access to these programmes.” For any future queries relating to operational matters, you may wish to contact Sport NI directly. Making direct contact with Sport NI will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of public resources.
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