Stormont launch £500,000 Hardship Fund for sports clubs during coronavirus restrictions

Sports clubs and organisations across the north, which are unable to receive support from other Government Covid-19 funds are able to apply to Sport NI can avail of the grant of £2,000.

The money is to help clubs and organisations with "immediate financial commitments to maintain their facilities" during the coronavirus restrictions.

Minister Hargey admitted clubs are "facing serious financial challenges" as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions and an initial budget of £500,000 has been allocated up to June 30th.

Minister Hargey said: “I recognise that sporting organisations at every level, from grassroots to those who compete at an international level, are facing serious financial challenges as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions and the impact that this has had on them.

“This Fund will provide a grant of £2,000 per application and will help eligible sports clubs and sporting organisations to meet essential costs which still need to be paid, even when their facilities are closed. I want to ensure that, over the next three months, that there is help available to cover costs such as rent, essential utility bills and to assist with the cost of basic maintenance of outdoor sports facilities.”

“Sport will have a crucial role to play in helping communities to get through this crisis and to help society come out of the lockdown period," the Minister continued. "It is therefore essential that sporting organisations and clubs are in a position to offer communities and individuals access to sport and physical activities as soon as it is safe to do so.”

For more information about the Hardship Fund please visit http://www.sportni.net/funding/our-funding-programmes/sports-hardship-fund

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