Sports clubs in Westmeath are to receive €1,115,567 in funding allocations through the 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP ).
The funding is part of a €56m national investment in more than 1,700 sports clubs announced last week by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin.
Minister of State and Longford-Westmeath TD, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has welcomed the funding, stating: “It was a difficult task to ensure that everyone who applied and whose application was valid were able to get something as there were so many applications. I am delighted I was able to secure a significant level of funding for the constituency.
“The Sports Grants assist in carrying out vital work in increasing participation, particularly among those sectors of society which are underrepresented in sport."
Longford-Westmeath Fine Gael TD, Peter Burke shared Minister Moran's delight, saying: “I am delighted to see this much needed funding going to the places it will really make a big difference. I have made a number of representations for many of these clubs as far back as March and April of this year and I was glad to hear directly from my colleague Brendan Griffin yesterday that many of these have got over the line."
The grant money will benefit 50 clubs from all corners of Westmeath. Some €95,000 has been allocated for Garrycastle GAA, €52,500 for Athlone GAA, €52,500 for Athlone Boat Club and €46,500 for Willow Park.
More niche sports too are represented in the SCP funding. Some €19,500 has been set aside for a BMX pump track in Brawney, Athlone, and €2,500 for Westmeath Minotaurs American Football Club.
"The benefits of participating in sport are well documented, for both physical and mental health," said Minister Ross. "And these new grants for local clubs will help us in our overall objective of getting as many people participating in sport as possible."
Full details of all allocations on a county basis are set out on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie
