Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross T.D. and the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O’ Donovan T.D., announced today that €30m is being made available under the Sports Capital Programme to develop sports infrastructure around the country. In this regard, online applications will be accepted from the 23rd January to the 24th February, 2017.
Clubs not previously registered on the Department’s online application system need to do so in advance of this date and the Ministers encouraged clubs to register now. The guide to making an application was also published on the Department’s Sports Capital Programme website today ( www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie ).
Minister Ross stated “I am delighted that this funding is being made available. The Sports Capital Programme aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to developing sport and recreation facilities and it has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland with improvements in the quality and quantity of sporting facilities in virtually every village, town and city in the country. The new €30 million programme provides an opportunity for further improvements and I would urge all organisations with a suitable project to consider making an application”.
In the last round of funding in 2015, Handball clubs benefitted greatly from the Sports Capital Grant, with €457k being spread over seven clubs.
The upcoming holiday period provides a good opportunity for clubs to get registered on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie, familiarise themselves with the guide and undertake any other preparatory work in advance of formally submitting their application”.
Clubs who wish to register on the Department’s online system can do so now at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Once registered, all applications must be made on the same website. The system will be open for applications from the 23rd January. A guide to making an application and a link to YouTube video instructions is also available on the website.
Examples of what is eligible for funding include:
- Hurling walls / handball alleys
- Building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets
- Building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms
- Non-personal sports equipment including lawn mowers and defibrillators.
- Any other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance (see definition above)
GAA Handball would be happy to providing supporting documents to any handball club who wishes to apply for the funding. If required, please email development.handball@gaa.ie with a brief on what your funding will be used for, and some details on the club itself.
Common Pitfalls:
Every year several hundred applications are ruled invalid because they do not meet the terms and conditions set out in this guide. Below are some of the most common pitfalls that you should avoid:
1. Title/Access to your land – title/access templates (appendix 5 and 6 of this guide) not provided, not signed, not dated or not fully completed
2. Planning Permission – template not provided, not completed or not signed (appendix 3)
3. Own Funding – loan offer or bank statements not provided or provided without the applicant’s name
4. Wrong documents uploaded – or the same document uploaded multiple times
5. Application not started on time – organisations that do not start their application early run the risk of encountering technical or other difficulties that cannot be resolved before the deadline.
Useful Links
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq1kBv-FA7QcFmu8cdrIsTg
Where to apply: www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie
Who to phone for help, sample application form and written guide to applying: http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme