Offaly benefits from over €450,000 in funding for sports equipment
On foot of the news that sports clubs in Offaly benefited from over €450,000 in funding for equipment in the latest round of grants from the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP), local Offaly Senator and Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett has paid tribute to the diligent and sterling work done by countless volunteers around the county in making this possible.
Eighteen clubs across the county will receive payments ranging from €1,560 to the top award of €62,500 to Tullamore Canoe Club, and Minister Hackett said that this is just reward for the countless hours that are put in by club volunteers to help these clubs thrive.
“Offaly’s famous sporting tradition and culture is rightly treasured by everyone here in the county, and it’s also reflected in the popularity and range of our sporting clubs.” she said.
“Sixteen different sporting disciplines are represented in the list of clubs that will benefit from this funding, while active players of all ages, genders and abilities are catered for in the clubs involved. I want to congratulate all the beneficiaries of today’s announcement, and wish them continued success in their endeavours, on and off the field.
“These clubs are successful due to the commitment of all those volunteers that put in the time in administration roles, maintenance, coaching and everything else that’s involved, and I want to thank these people for what they do, and the vital role they play in enriching the lives of all their club members and the people of Offaly generally,” concluded Minister Hackett.
Local Fianna Fáil TD and European Election Candidate for the Midlands North West, Barry Cowen, has welcomed the funding, saying: “It is fantastic to see the time and effort put in every week by club members and volunteers in Offaly be rewarded with this grant funding.
“The grants will go towards the cost of critical equipment and upgrades for clubs, such as pitch redevelopments and the purchase of gym equipment.
“I want to thank the volunteers and club members in our county for the invaluable work they do at the very heart of our communities.
“The grants announced today reflect the priority Fianna Fáil in Government places on encouraging and facilitating sporting participation and excellence across the country.”
In total, over €26 million in equipment grants were announced by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin and Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne.
The allocations announced today under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme are in response to equipment-only applications which sporting organisations submitted. Over 900 sports groups were successful in their applications for various types of equipment, while further allocations under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, including those for capital works, and capital works tied with an equipment component, will be announced later.
The clubs that received funding in Offaly are as follows:
Rugby: Birr RFC, Upgrade of rugby specific training equipment, €2,334
Gaelic Games: Durrow GAA, Maintenance equipment and gym equipment, €45,736
Gaelic Games: Gracefield GAA, New Scoreboard, €10,786
Gaelic Games: Naomh Ciaran LGFA, Sports Equipment, €4,200
Gaelic Games: Rhode LGFA, Non-personal training equipment, €990
Camogie: Shinrone Camogie Club, Robotic Lawnmower, €30,403
Soccer: Killeigh Schoolboys/girls Soccer Club, Maintenance equipment, €27,564
Pitch and Putt: Erry Pitch’n’Putt Club, Upgrading of old machinery, €40,000
Skydiving: Irish Parachute Club, Replace end of life sport parachute equipment,€45,000
Cycling: Lynx Cycling Club, Bike boxes, €2,090
Wheelchair Sport: Midland United Powerchair FC, Power football chairs and trailer, €44,632
Athletics: Offaly Athletics, Athletic and storage equipment, €26,313
Athletics: Tullamore Harriers, Athletic Club Competition Standard Hurdles, €24,281
Golf: Portarlington Golf Club, Tees Mower, €40,000
Basketball: Tullamore Basketball Club, Non-personal equipment for training and games,€9,000
Canoeing/Kayaking: Tullamore Canoe Club, Canoe Polo Equipment, €62,500
Hockey: Tullamore Hockey Club, Equipment, €1,560
Multi-sport: Tullamore Sports Link, Pitch Mower, €35,927