Northern Ireland Schools Invited to Apply for Funding to Enhance Sports Facilities

Schools across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to apply for funding aimed at improving their sports facilities, enabling greater access for local communities and sports clubs. The initiative, called Your School Your Club, is administered by Sport Northern Ireland and supported by a steering group led by the Department for Communities.

The programme seeks to foster strategic partnerships that will either revitalise existing sports facilities or create new ones, with the overarching goal of opening school sports estates to broader community use. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance the availability and quality of sports facilities across Northern Ireland, particularly in areas of high social need and among underrepresented groups.

For the 2024/25 financial year, the Your School Your Club programme has a budget of £500,000. Applicants are typically required to provide partnership funding, which may be sourced through fundraising, local authority grants or other government departments.

Eligible projects may include new sports facilities, upgrades to existing facilities, or improvements such as lighting for outdoor areas. However, certain projects, such as upgrades to 3G synthetic surfaces and standard maintenance, are not eligible for funding.

Schools or local authorities in partnership with schools can submit an Expression of Interest by 12 noon on 2 September 2024. Selected projects will be invited to submit additional details and a formal application.