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Pitch Perfect for Na Magha
Na Magha CLG has been awarded almost a quarter of a million in funding from the National Lottery through the Sport Northern Ireland Building Sport Programme for the development of their very own pitch. Although the club has been in existence for 25 years they have never had a place which they could call home, so to have a dedicated training and playing facility will be a major boost for this established club. In addition to funding from Sport Northern Ireland, the Ulster and Central Councils of the GAA have awarded the club an Urban Development Grant of €150,000 and Derry City Council has supported the project in the form of the leasing of land.
The investment will allow for the development of a pitch, road access and car parking facilities for Na Magha CLG. The club had an extremely successful year in 2007 with the camogie team winning the junior league. Success just hasn’t just been on the field though as the club has 20 newly qualified coaches and several existing coaches raising their grades, membership numbers also increased for the club.
Speaking on the difference the funding will make Na Magha’s Ground Development Officer, David Flood commented: “After many years of hard work and dedication, across the club, the pieces are finally all coming together for us. Having achieved the leasing of land at Ballyarnett Park from Derry City Council in August and securing this funding was essential for the creation of a home for hurling in the City. The club has also had to dig deep and is grateful of the continued efforts of the fund raising committee and every individual, who helped raise funds in aid of this development.”
Speaking on their involvement in the project, Sport Northern Ireland Acting Chief Executive Nick Harkness commented: “We are delighted to have been able to fund this club. In 25 years without their own dedicated pitch Na Magha CLG have come a long way and this is a tribute to them. It is great to see this sport moving into urban areas making it more readily available to the whole community. I am confident that with their own pitch Na Magha CLG will grow from strength to strength.” |
