Grassroots clubs to receive £9million as Gordon Lyons announces Northern Ireland Football Fund update
Grassroots football clubs in Northern Ireland are set to receive £9million to upgrade facilities after Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced the Football Fund’s next milestone – the pilot stage of the Grassroots Facilities Programme.
In September, Lyons confirmed 20 Irish League clubs were progressing in the Performance Programme tier and announced the next step of the Fund at Wellington Rec in Larne on Wednesday morning.
The pilot for clubs outside of the NIFL pyramid will be allocated an indicative budget of £9million with applicants able to apply for funding awards between £500,000 and £1.5million.
Department for Communities have confirmed the first awards will be payable as early as financial year 2026/2027 and that applications will be assessed in one of two streams.
Stream one, which closes on April 15, is open to clubs who either own their facility or intend to become the owner prior to an agreement of funding, while stream two – the deadline is April 29 – is for councils applying for funding themselves or in partnership with a club.
“I am pleased to launch the first call for applications to the Grassroots Facilities Programme Pilot to begin addressing the urgent need for improved facilities at this level,” said Lyons. “The £9million of funding to kick-start this pilot phase is another major investment that will support six projects and start delivering the modern facilities our communities deserve.
“I know this sector needs significantly more investment, and I am under no doubt about the scale of the challenge. This pilot is an important start.
“This scheme reflects the value I place on grassroots football and the role it plays in our communities.
"There are almost 600 grassroots football clubs operating across the country, and I have seen first-hand on visits to clubs both large and small the contribution they make.
“Whether you play, coach, volunteer, or cheer from the sidelines, grassroots football brings people together, supports health and wellbeing and strengthens our local communities.
“This pilot will start to directly address the significant improvements required in grassroots facilities. Let’s begin transforming facilities now and build some much-needed momentum.”