Coronavirus: Sport NI welcomes reopening of Sport Hardship Fund

Sport NI has welcomed the decision by Communities Minister, Carál NiChuilin, to reopen the Sports Hardship Fund to aid clubs struggling as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sports clubs in Northern Ireland have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.Sports clubs in Northern Ireland have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sports clubs in Northern Ireland have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Initially opened on April 14, the fund has provided support totalling £1,245,000 to help over 600 sports clubs maintain their facilities during lockdown.

A further £2 million investment has been announced, comprising £1 million to help the sector deal with the impact of lockdown restrictions through the Sports Hardship Fund and £1 million to provide essential PPE for sports clubs.

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The fund is open to new applicants from Tuesday, July 21, to submit requests for support up to £2,000 for costs incurred since April 1. Packs of PPE equipment will soon be available for sports clubs and further details on how to register interest will be issued to the sector.

Sport NI CEO, Antoinette McKeown, said: “Clubs are at the heart of our communities, as we have seen in their valued community response to the COVID19 crisis.

“Clubs are also central in helping our society emerge and strive once the current lockdown phase ends. We will continue to lead and support clubs to connect and include all people, to give us a sense of belonging and wellbeing in our communities through sport.

“The Sports Hardship Fund is critical in supporting our clubs to survive.”

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The fund will close for completed applications at 12 noon on Wednesday, August 5.

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