Hardship fund launched for sports sector in the North

A hardship fund has been launched for the sports sector as the coronavirus lockdown continues.

It is open to sports clubs and sporting organisations from the voluntary and community sector, which are unable to receive support from other government Covid-19 mitigation funds.

Those groups will be able to apply to Sport NI for a small grant of £2,000 to help with immediate financial commitments to maintain their facilities.

£500,000 (€572,000) has been allocated up to June 30 with successful applications set to receive a flat rate grant of £2,000 each.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said she recognises sporting organisations at every level are facing “serious financial challenges” due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions.

“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,” she said.

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.

“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.”

The current restrictions started on Friday, March 27. They mandate that everyone should stay at home, only leaving to:
• Shop for essential food and household goods;
• Attend medical appointments, collect medicine or other health products;
• Care for children, older people or other vulnerable people - this excludes social family visits;
• Exercise outdoors - within 2kms of your home and only with members of your own household, keeping 2 metres distance between you and other people
• Travel to work if you provide an essential service - be sure to practice physical distancing