Sports clubs receive equipment bonanza from State funding

A NUMBER of local sports clubs have received funding for equipment under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin and the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, announced the €16.6 million in equipment grants on Friday, August 6.

The programme received a record number of over 3,100 applications seeking a total of €200m in funding.

In Tallaght, several sports clubs and groups received funding for equipment such as Tallaght Martial Arts who received €14,635, Tallaght Swim Club received €13,854 and Old Bawn Gymnastics received €29,000. South Dublin Panthers AFC, who are based in Tymon Park received funding of €20,479 for their ‘first and gold’ project.

Templeogue College Swim Pool received €27,111, Rathfarnham Pony Club received funding for a defibrillator which cost €1,150 and Rathfarnham Riding Club received €11,979 for equipment for riding club training. Firhouse Carmel FC received funding of €19,409 for football equipment under the programme.

Speaking about the funding announcement, Minister Martin said that they will help sports clubs to hopefully develop our local “sporting heroes and Olympians of the future”.

She added: “Sports Capital and Equipment funding is another example of Government helping sporting communities through these challenging times; supporting clubs and organisations to provide the facilities necessary to achieve our objectives of increased participation in sport; and help realise the immense benefits that physical activity can bring to our lives.”

In West Dublin, Clondalkin Equine Club received funding of €19,456, Lucan BMX Club received €7,800 and Lucan Cricket Club is seeking to grow the club with funding of €7,641.

The Minister of State with responsibility for Sport, Jack Chambers, congratulated the projects and groups being funded: “Under this year’s programme, funding is being allocated to the clubs, schools and organisations which are striving to serve all of the community and especially those groups where there are traditionally lower participation levels.

“Apart from the pleasure we all get from watching an event like the Olympics, the health benefits associated with sports participation are well documented and we want people to have every opportunity to get involved.”