Lyons – achievements at Paris 2024 Games delivering tangible legacy for local sport

Date published: 17 November 2025

The achievements of local athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics are delivering tangible benefits to local grassroots sport, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has said.

The Minister was speaking after he visited Lisburn Cricket Club and Bangor Swimming Club. Lisburn Cricket Club has had its application approved for the next stage in the Olympic Legacy Fund, while Bangor Swimming Club is benefitting from £20,000 awarded to local swimmer Jack McMillan through the Olympic Medallist Fund after his gold medal in Paris.

Speaking after the visits, the Minister said: 

“The achievements of our medal winners, along with all those Olympians and Paralympians who competed in Paris, will be remembered for many years. I set up both the Olympic Legacy Fund and the Olympic Medallist Fund because I wanted to build on those successes and ensure a lasting legacy for local sport. This funding will help sports clubs grow stronger, enable facilities to be modernised, and help communities come together through sport. 

“I was delighted to visit Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex to see the equipment that the swimming club there has been able to purchase with the money donated to them by Jack McMillan who trained there. His success will directly benefit the next generation of swimmers.”

The Minister continued: 

“I was also very pleased to visit Lisburn Cricket Club. The club has been successful in applying to the Olympic Legacy Fund to source funding to upgrade their facilities. The club must now raise a crowdfunded contribution towards the total investment and I encourage anyone with an interest in cricket in the area to contribute to this excellent cause, and indeed to the other projects currently crowdfunding.”

Sport Northern Ireland is administering both funds.

Richard Archibald, Interim Chief Executive at Sport Northern Ireland, said: 

“The incredible success of our athletes at the Paris Olympic Games was truly inspirational and we are proud to deliver both the Olympic Medallist Fund and the Olympic Legacy Fund to support local clubs and organisations to improve their facilities and provide more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to participate in sport.

“Sports clubs are at the heart of our local communities and through the Olympic Legacy Fund clubs like Lisburn Cricket Club are rallying local support through crowdfunding to secure investment to upgrade their facilities and equipment.

“Jack’s visit to his local club is a powerful reminder of the impact grassroots sports organisations have across Northern Ireland. These clubs offer young people the opportunities, support, and guidance that help shape future champions.”

Jamie Mulholland, Chairman of Lisburn Cricket Club, said: 

“The Olympic Legacy Fund was a perfect opportunity for us as a cricket club to avail of some funding which will help fantastically to refurbish our clubhouse and premises. The process has been very straightforward and we’ve had a lot of support from crowdfunder.”

Olympic gold medallist Jack McMillan said: 

“I chose to donate my award to Bangor Swimming Club because I’ve been a part of it ever since I was seven or eight years old. I trained here all the way from 2009 to 2021 to my first Olympic Games, which was my dream since I was younger. The club really shaped my career and has a special place in my heart. So to be able to give back and have a full circle moment is amazing. Swimming is all about the small margins so hopefully now with the new equipment these young swimmers can have a taste of what it’s like to be a professional athlete and have the best gear in order to perform at their best and win medals at World, Commonwealth and Olympic levels.”

To find out more about Lisburn Cricket Club’s project and contribute to the club’s Crowdfunder initiative, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/lisburn-pavillion-redevelopment

To contribute to the other Crowdfunder projects under the Olympic Legacy Fund, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/sport-ni-olympic-legacy