The Sports Capitol Programme has announced funding totalling €4.485 million for 84 organisations in Cork, including soccer clubs, rugby clubs, athletics clubs, boxing clubs, rowing clubs, sailing clubs and community / mixed initiatives.

The funding for Cork forms part of a €50 million overall allocation announced by the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Martin Cullen TD. The total figure, partly funded by the National Lottery and administered by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, will be distributed among 682 separate sports projects around the country as part of the Governments drive to provide better sports facilities and equipment.

Advertised on an annual basis, the scheme allocates funding to projects that are directly related to the provision of sports facilities and are of a capital nature, meaning any successful project must involve improving or building an asset or buying non-personal sports equipment that will be used for at least five years.

Funding can be allocated to voluntary and community organisations, including sports clubs, national governing bodies of sport and third level education institutions, where it is evident that the proposed facility will contribute to the regional and/or national sporting infrastructure, and in certain circumstances, primary and post-primary schools, VECs and local authorities.

Cork North Central Fianna Fáil TD Noel O'Flynn welcomed the announcement saying, "This funding will make a great difference to the clubs and organisations involved. It will also aid the development of our future sporting stars, with improved facilities providing a better platform for our young athletes to develop their skills and techniques."

"Sporting clubs and organisations are part of the backbones of our various communities, particularly in this day and age. They provide an important outlet for children and adults of all ages to socialise and to engage in healthy, sporting activities. They promote fitness and bring people together from throughout their localities. They have made a great contribution to Irish society and that is why it is so important that we try to give back to them with these funds," he added.

"Obviously with the difficult global economic problems it was not possible for all clubs to be included in this year's list. I'm sure there will be some people who will be disappointed to miss out. However I would encourage any club or organisation not to be downhearted and to re-apply next year. Those who missed out this year will stand a strong chance of being catered for in 2009," Deputy O'Flynn concluded.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment