Having had to postpone its normal scheme launch date in March due to Covid- 19 Mayo Sports Partnership has announced details of its revamped Sports Investment Scheme for 2020.
While Covid-19 has impacted hugely on sports clubs and organisations many clubs are looking to continue to develop their being. activities, extending their reach within communities and providing much needed outlets to improve people health and well
The scheme, supported by Sport Ireland, invites clubs and organizations who have sport / recreation as their central focus to submit proposals which would increase participation amongst disadvantaged groups of our population.
Since the scheme was established in 2005 hundreds of initiatives have been assisted in communities across Mayo. Recent projects have included development of a new underage basketball clubs in Westport and Charlestown, development of volleyball in Mayo, Mayo inline hockey club, a new table tennis club in Ballyhaunis, development of masters Basketball, Mothers & Others GAA programmes in Knockmore, Foxford and Crossmolina, junior golf programmes in Ballinrobe and Ballina and much more.
As an addition to the scheme this year the partnership is inviting clubs / organisations who are planning to hold coach education courses, volunteer training / upskilling workshops etc to apply for some assistance towards the cost of these initiatives.
Mayo Sports Partnership Chairman Cllr Michael Loftus commented: "The Partnership knows that volunteers in sport have faced tremendous challenges over the last number of months and we would like to help clubs in whatever way we can to get their activities back on track. Sport is so important to the fabric of life in communities the length and breadth of the county”.
Organisations / Groups are asked to note that any capital / building projects are not eligible for investment under the schemes criteria and clubs should refer to the governments sports capital programme, see www.dttas.ie .
Other items such as ongoing costs for teams ie travel costs, competition costs, registration fees, sponsorship etc are also not eligible.
Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday, October 23, the maximum allocation to any one project can be €1,000 and this is dependent on the quality of the initiative.
The Mayo Sports Partnership board will decide on all successful applications and its recommendations are final. If clubs / groups require assistance on the scheme contact the Sports Partnership office at (094 ) 9064360 or email: [email protected].
