£5,500 funding 
grants given

During a recent Leisure and Amenties Committee meeting it was revealed that Ballymoney United Football Club, Ballymoney Ladies Hockey Club, Dunloy Cuchullains, Loughgiel Shamrocks, Ulster Youth Choir and Ballymoney Cycling Club would all received financail assistance.

The report explained: ‘Ballymoney United Football Club was formed in 1944 and played its first season in 1944/45. This season is the Clubs 70th anniversary. The Club are running a full programme of events throughout the season commencing with a Fight Night, Fashion Show and Community Barbeque. The Club are requesting that Council consider making a contribution of £2,000 towards these events, as the main sponsor. Following discussion it was proposed by Cllr Ian Stevenson, seconded by Cllr Roma McAfee, that £1,000 be contributed.

‘Ballymoney Hockey Club is this year celebrating its 30th anniversary since it was reformed in 1984. The Club plays at premier level in Ulster and also plays in the Irish Hockey League and have had a lot of success over the years including winning the Ulster Shield twice in the last four seasons. The Clubs representative honours have been outstanding with numerous players gaining Ulster and Irish representative caps and their players have captioned the Irish senior Squad.

‘The Clubs mini and junior sections are celebrating 20 years of providing hockey training and have gained the Golden Stick award for excellence. The Club are planning a series of events throughout the season to mark its 30th anniversary. They are planning to stage their annual awards ceremony in the marquee in the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre. The cost is estimated at £1,000 and the Club are requesting that Council consider making a contribution to the Club to cover the cost of hiring the Leisure Centre facilities.

‘It was proposed by Cllr Philip McGuigan, seconded by Cllr Anita Cavlan, that £1,000 be contributed.

‘The All Ireland under 14 Hurling Fèile is taking place across Counties Antrim and Londonderry. Dunloy Cuchullains, as well as participating in the event are hosting players, officials, parents and supporters from Castletown, Co Laois. This is a great achievement for the Dunloy Club, but the Club will incur a lot of expense associated with new sports gear, transport to the matches and hosting the guests from Castletown. Costs are estimated at over £5,000.

‘The Club is requesting that Council consider making a contribution towards the costs of this event. The event will bring many visitors to the Borough and will provide business for the local economy.

‘It was proposed by Cllr McGuigan, seconded by Cllr Cavlan that £1,000 be contributed.

‘The All Ireland Féile na nGael (Festival of Gaels) is taking place in Counties Antrim and Londonderry.

Loughgiel Shamrocks, as well as having two teams, hurling and camogie, participating in the event, are hosting two teams, officials, parents and supporters: a hurling team from Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny and a camogie team from Cashel, Co Tipperary.

‘This is a great achievement for the Club but the club will incur a lot of expense associated with new sports gear, transport to and from matches and hosting the guests from Bennettsbridge and Cashel. Costs are estimated at over £6,000. The Club is requesting that Council consider making a contribution towards the costs of this event. The event will bring many visitors to the Borough and will provide business for the local economy.

‘It was proposed by Cllr McGuigan, seconded by Cllr Cavlan that £1,000 be contributed.

‘The Ulster Youth Choir have advised that five young people from the Ballymoney Borough Council area have been successful in gaining a place in the Ulster Youth Choir for the 2014 training and concert season. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for these young singers and an immense achievement. Their participation however comes at a cost. All members pay a fee of £485 for the summer programme and related activities which is only about 60% of the cost of their place. The Ulster Youths Choir subsidises the remaining costs through fundraising and donations from Councils, Schools and other Corporate Sponsors.

‘The Ulster Youth Choir is requesting that Council consider making a contribution to support this year’s choir.

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‘It was proposed by Cllr McGuigan, seconded by Cllr Cavlan that £500 be contributed to the Ulster Youth Choir.

‘The Ballymoney Cycling Club are hosting the National Cycling Youth Championships in Ballymoney and surrounding area from Friday 22nd August to Sunday 24th August 2014. The Cycling Club have been granted the opportunity to promote the National Championships for the first time ever in Ulster. The Club will however incur a lot of expenditure associated with promotional merchandise, signage, equipment and accommodation. The estimated cost is £1960.

‘The Cycling Club are requesting that Council consider making a contribution towards the costs. This event will bring business to the town.

‘It was proposed by Cllr McGuigan, seconded by Cllr Cavlan, that £1,000 be contributed.