6 regional projects selected by the FAI set to benefit from €200k each
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, has today (Friday) announced the provision of €1.2 million in funding to further support football projects across the country.
The six projects which have been selected by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) will each receive €200,000. They are Mayfield Football Club, Cork; Galway Football Association; Munster Football Association; Clones Town FC; Westport United FC and Kerry District League.
Minister Ring said: ‘Since coming to office, I have made a special allocation each year to specific sporting disciplines. They have included rugby, boxing, athletics and swimming pools. I am now pleased to be able to allocate €1.2 million in funding for soccer projects which have been identified by the FAI as being ‘deserving of a once off special allocation’ from my Department’.
“These projects have been acknowledged as being ‘strategically crucial to the development of football, not only within their locality but at regional and national level’. The money will be used to update, refurbish and complete facilities and will have a significant impact not only on the players and management who use them but also on the fans who support them.
“In the case of Mayfield Football Club in Cork the money will be used to renovate the pitch and to complete the clubhouse and changing rooms. This will allow the club to maintain its Regional Centre status and to continue with programmes which identify emerging talent within the community. The funding for Galway Football Association will allow works to be completed to enable the club to host international matches up to Women’s Senior level. Munster Football Association will have access ramps, stairs and toilets constructed which will improve the sporting experience for all. Kerry District League will install a full-sized all-weather pitch that will provide adequate training facilities for the 94 teams that make up the league. Westport United FC will be facilitated in the development of Phase 2 of their recently purchased grounds. Clones Town FC, which claims to be the oldest football club in the country, will be supported in providing what has been described as basic changing room facilities at its home ground.
“Continuing to invest in sport is critical to retaining and increasing participation rates at local level. It allows the health, both physical and mental, of our young people to be significantly improved while also contributing to the social cohesion of local communities. This funding, which is part of the 2015 sports capital allocation, offers an opportunity to further progress soccer regionally and I look forward to all six projects being delivered next year.”