Funding boost for duo

Springtown Amateur Boxing Club and Ardmore Cricket Club have both received cash boost in the region of £1,500

Springtown Amateur Boxing Club based in Ballymagroarty in Derry City has been awarded a grant of £1,970 to continue their work with local young people.

The club, which was established in response to locally identified need, will use its grant to remove barriers to participation for marginalised young people by extending its boxing provision to local young women and young people living in an area of high social deprivation.

Daran McCann, Secretary of Springtown ABC: “We’re thrilled that Sported has taken the decision to support our project and see it as an acknowledgement of all that we do at Springtown. The grant will help us to inspire our young people to recognise that, whilst great things can be achieved individually, even greater things can be done if we work collaboratively.”

Ardmore Cricket Club will use their £1,750 to support their work around building stronger communities by promoting good relations and building understanding between different communities.

The project will involve the integration of young people from different communities which will help to build a stronger local community and reduce issues around racism and sectarianism.

“The award of this grant from Sported will increase our ability to provide effective cricket coaching and practice facilities for young people from the Ardmore, Currynierin, Tullyally and Drumahoe areas of Derry. It will also help us to develop positive community relations by helping to break down the divides that currently exist in our area.” George Brolly, Secretary, Ardmore Cricket Club

The clubs received funding from Sported’s small grant programme, which enables Sported Members with a turnover of less than £50,000 to access funding to support sport for development projects working with young people aged 11-25.

Sported offer more than just grant funding to local community groups. Other benefits of being a Member include volunteer Mentor support, an exclusive insurance offer, various online resources and Member events.

Brenda Kelly the Sported, Northern Ireland Manager said “I am delighted to have awarded these small grants to these groups in Londonserry. It is fantastic to be able to support local community sports groups who are using sport and physical activity to make positive change in the lives of disadvantaged young people.”

Sported works with over 2,000 organisations across the UK, empowering community groups to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people through sport.

Created by Sir Keith Mills, Deputy Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Games (LOCOG), Sported was his personal commitment to delivering the legacy of the Games and has been operating in the Northern Ireland since February 2012 and now has a membership of over 145 groups.

If your group is working with 11-25 year olds and using sport to make a positive impact on their lives then you may be able to benefit from sported funding. Our funding and support is open to Sported member organisations and we are accepting membership applications from groups across Northern Ireland, organisations can apply for FREE membership at sported.org.uk.