Kilkenny clubs should register now for Sports Capital Grants – John Paul

Fine Gael Junior Minister, John Paul Phelan, is urging clubs across Kilkenny city and county to get their applications in now for the €40 million Sports Capital Grants programme for the coming year.

 Over €1.42 million was shared among a host of organisations across Kilkenny under the 2017 programme and it is hoped that, given the quality of applications typically received from clubs in the region, this might even increase further or next year.

The funding is available to any club which want to develop sports infrastructure around the country and registration is open online soon on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie

“My Fine Gael colleague, the Minister for Sport Brendan Griffin, has confirmed to me that €40 million is going to be made available to develop sports infrastructure around the country under the Sports Capital Programme in 2018.  

“I want to see even more Kilkenny clubs and organisations benefit as much as possible from this funding and so I encourage all involved to prepare the necessary paperwork for their applications in advance. Last year we saw a whole host of clubs involved in GAA, soccer, boxing, cycling, basketball, golf, canoeing and boating, handball, swimming, triathlons and more all benefitting. Kilkenny clubs and sports organisations looking to apply should register now. Applications can be made online from 9am on Friday 7th September until 5pm on Friday 19th October, 2018.”

The Sports Capital Programme was re-instated by the last Fine Gael government in 2012, after it had been cut by Fianna Fáil in the wake of the economic crash. “It is crucial we invest in sport and the health of our population, particularly with obesity is on the rise. Investing in sport is good for the health of the nation, both literally and economically,” Minister Phelan said. 

The Sports Capital Programme is the Government’s primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.  The programme funds a whole range of investments, including natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts (including pitch drainage); floodlighting; artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas; security fencing, ball stop netting and goal posts; hurling walls / handball alleys; building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets as well as building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms and so much more.

Non-personal equipment including lawn mowers and defibrillators, as are any other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance