DSD Minister launches Funding Boost

The Department for Social Development have awarded the IFA and Ulster GAA funding to support a new and innovative joint project ‘Sport in the Community’. This exciting flagship project supports the DSD Volunteering Strategy for Northern Ireland and will provide over £350,000 during the three year partnership to support community and volunteer development.

The partnership supports a range of joint development programmes which will include shared learning workshops, club development programmes, community outreach initiatives, neighbourhood renewal objectives and volunteer training and development. An annual Open Forum will debate operational issues and topics emerging from the Workshops, while an annual Community Relations event will add further value to the community outreach and diversity work undertaken by the organisations.

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland officially launched the project along with representatives from both Ulster GAA and IFA. Minister McCausland said: “I am delighted that my Department is supporting this new and innovative joint project “Sport in the Community”. This project will provide opportunities for both organisations to share resources, skills and expertise in sport, and support in building volunteering capacity and community relations. Volunteering undoubtedly makes Northern Ireland a better place for all of us to live in and I am keen to expand on the already highly valued contribution made by those who volunteer within the sporting and community sectors. This is why last month I launched Northern Ireland’s first ever Volunteering Strategy which aims to align activities across government, the voluntary sector and other stakeholders to re-energise and increase levels of volunteering.”

Ulster GAA and IFA are delighted to be working in partnership on a project of this scale and the future prospects and opportunities that will come over the next three years.

Jim Shaw IFA President said: “The IFA are delighted to be involved in this joint project which will provide many opportunities for shared learning across both organisations. It will undoubtedly make a huge impact and add real value to our work in community development and capacity building amongst our clubs and volunteers”.

Ulster GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail commented, “UIster GAA is delighted that the Minister and his Department have invested in Sport in the Community. We recognise and value the contribution that volunteers make to our Association, and this programme will ensure that we can fully support them in their roles. Working in partnership with the IFA will allow for the sharing of ideas and fresh approaches, enabling us to advance volunteering in sport a very original manner”.

Further information:
• IFA contact Jenny Penrose jpenrose@irishfa.com / 028 90669458
• Ulster GAA contact Aileen Cummins aileen.cummins.ulster@gaa.ie / 028 37517182

Photo: Minister for Social Development Nelson McCausland MLA (centre) with (l-r) Michael Boyd, IFA Head of Community Relations, Irish FA President Jim Shaw, Ulster GAA Vice President, Martin McAviney and Ryan Feeney, Head of Community Development, Strategy and Public Affairs for Ulster GAA at the launch of ‘Sport in the Community’ an innovative partnership between the IFA and Ulster GAA. Credit: Darren Kidd / Press Eye