Pitch Maintenance Programme Phase 2
Funds for the Pitch Maintenance Programme Phase 2 are made available by the Department for Communities (DfC) to provide eligible organisations with the provision of routine pitch maintenance equipment.
The aim of the investment is to empower volunteers/staff with the skills, knowledge and suitable equipment to carry out day to day routine maintenance operations to prolong the useful life of existing facilities.
Sport NI has recently provided £467,782 in funding to 20 organisations as part of the Pitch Maintenance Programme Phase 2.
Following an assessment process, the following 20 organisations progressed to a funding offer:
| Organisation | Funding |
| All Saints GAC | £26,297.30 |
| Ardmore Cricket Club | £15,522.00 |
| Atticall GAC | £27,480.00 |
| Ballerin GAC | £28,980.00 |
| Ballinderry Shamrocks GAC | £29,583.60 |
| Ballycastle McQuillans GAC | £29,912.80 |
| Ballyclare Rugby Football Club | £6,480.00 |
| Ballynahinch Rugby Football Club | £28,480.00 |
| Bangor Rugby & Cricket Club | £25,560.00 |
| Caledon Rovers Football Club | £14,825.80 |
| Cliftonville FC | £7,850.00 |
| Cregagh Sports Club | £26,650.00 |
| Crossmaglen Rangers GFC | £29,818.80 |
| Down GAA County Board | £24,500.00 |
| Dromore St Dympna GFC | £25,284.00 |
| Patrick Sarsfields GAC | £24,595.52 |
| St Enda’s GAC | £29,940.00 |
| St Joseph’s GAC (Ederney) | £25,300.00 |
| St Patrick’s GAC (Dromintee) | £22,907.40 |
| St Pauls GAC | £17,815.00 |
| 20 (total) | £476,782.22 |
On 16th February 2019, representatives of all 20 organisations attended a training course at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Greenmount Campus to develop their knowledge and skills specific to routine pitch maintenance activities, health and safety requirements, demonstrations and new methods of learning and assessment.
Interest in the Pitch Maintenance Programme Phase 2 was extremely high which was supported by the number of applications received – 188 applications were received for consideration requesting financial assistance totalling c£3.9mn.
There is a clear demonstration of need for a programme of this nature and Sport NI will be working in partnership with the Department for Communities (DfC) to seek additional funds in 19/20 financial year to further meet the need identified through the Pitch Maintenance Programme Phase 2.