Coronavirus: Minister reveals hardship relief fund plan for sports clubs

The minister has revealed she has instructed officials to work on support measures for NI sport including a hardship relief fund for sports and clubs.

In an interview with the BBC Minister Hargey said she wanted to implement the fund ‘to ensure that we do have sport at the other end of this public health crisis’.

“I’ve instructed officials to work with Sport NI and the NI Sports Forum, and also to engage with grassroots sport, and indeed through the sporting codes I want to look at a hardship fund for sport in general,” she said.

“Obviously they have been impacted by COVID-19, fixtures have been stopped, their premises are not being used, they are going to have financial hits in terms of ticket money and revenue that these days would have gained. Because all of those venues are closed they are losing that money and this will have a knock-on impact in terms of viability and sustainability.

As Sports Minister I want to respond to those needs and the crises they are in at the moment, and I want to develop this hardship fund to ensure that we do have sport at the other end of this public health crisis.”

The minister said conversations will be held with the various sporting bodies as they work out a way forward.

“I think part of the engagement has to be with the sporting codes themselves and the overarching bodies,” said Minister Hargey.

“If they can contribute financially I think that would be a good thing, but I will discuss that with them in terms of how COVID-19 has had an impact on their governing bodies but also on their organisations. I want to do everything I can to support them and work with the sporting codes because sport plays such an invaluable contribution to our community.

“We’re already seeing how sports teams are responding to that community need, delivering food and protecting and reaching out to the most vulnerable.

“Myself and the junior ministers met with the IFA, Ulster GAA and Ulster Rugby last week to look a civic response plan in terms of those who are self-isolating, those who have health conditions, how those sports codes and their memberships can play their role in overcoming this health pandemic.

“I want to respond to that need and I want to ensure that those organisations are sustainable going forward, and that’s why I want to engage over the coming weeks and then announce a sports relief fund as we move forward in the short term.”