Communities Minister opens The Northern Ireland Football Fund Performance Programme
Date published:
Minister Lyons has today opened applications to The Northern Ireland Football Fund (TNIFF) Performance Programme, marking the start of a £36.2 million footballing facilities improvement programme across Northern Ireland.
Local performance clubs are invited to submit proposals to modernise their grounds and transform the game for players, fans and local communities.
Launching the opening of the Performance Programme at Ulster University’s campus in Belfast, Minister Lyons hailed the Fund as a once in a generation investment.
Minister Lyons said:
"I am pleased today to open applications to the Fund’s Performance Programme.
“In my first year as Sports Minister, I have visited many of performance club grounds and have been shocked at the dire state of some spectator stands and existing facilities for players. My vision is to improve conditions for players, and to provide safe, accessible, football grounds for supporters.
“I want to ensure the passion for football and the talent we have in Northern Ireland is nurtured and developed. I want to see improved accessibility for under-represented and disadvantaged groups, an inclusive sport open to all ages and abilities.”
The Minister added:
“I am determined this is only the beginning. It is my ambition that this is a rolling programme of awards and project delivery over the coming years.
“This will require additional funding in due course and I will be seeking to sustain the Fund with further investment from a range of sources.
“The Fund is an Executive commitment and goes beyond football, benefitting local communities through increased economic activity, providing accessible, high-quality facilities which are welcoming to all and inspiring for players for generations to come.”
Applications to the Fund will be considered under an open and transparent grant funding process. They will be assessed against objective criteria to determine the proposals to be taken forward to development of business case stage and then to final approval.
Notes to editors:
- The programme will be delivered in phases, using a transparent open grant funding competition. For more information visit the DfC website
- Performance Clubs are defined as all current football clubs which are members of the Northern Ireland Football League or League of Ireland who play their home matches at a venue located in Northern Ireland. 41 clubs, including 47 different teams, playing on 36 separate grounds meet this definition.
- The Performance Programme is the first of three strands within The Northern Ireland Football Fund (TNIFF). The other two strands – for Grassroots Facilities and a National Football Centre will be announced later.
- All applicants to the Performance Programme will be required to provide partnership funding for their projects, for clubs that will be at least 5% of the total project cost, and councils will be required to fund at least 40% of total costs.
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