The Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund is set to help more grassroots football clubs in Northern Ireland to improve their facilities.
It was announced today that the UK Government is to invest a further £100m in the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, with £3m earmarked for facility improvements in Northern Ireland.
The new tranche of funding will cover 2025/26 and follows on from a £123 million investment in 2024/25 to support projects across the whole of the UK.
TheDepartment of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund, administered by the Irish Football Association, previously allocated £2m of funding in Northern Ireland for the 2023-24 financial year and £3.66 million in the 2024-25 financial year.
Carrick Rangers FC are among the clubs to have benefitted from the fund. The club’s recently opened new facility in Carrickfergus is one of 17 artificial grass pitch projects across Northern Ireland currently being supported by the fund.
Today’s announcement means more clubs here will get to benefit from the Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund.
Working together with the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation in England, the Cymru Football Foundation in Wales and the football associations in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the funding is expected to support hundreds of new and improved pitches, changing rooms, goalposts and floodlights to improve access to sport and physical activity for local communities.
It will be targeted at deprived areas and support greater access and participation levels among under-represented people including women and girls, ethnic minority groups and disabled players.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Grassroots sports clubs are at the heart of communities across the UK. That’s why we’re investing £100 million to support new and upgraded pitches, changing rooms and clubhouses across the country, providing transformational funding to the areas that need it most.
“As we deliver our Plan for Change, we will remove barriers to an active lifestyle and increase opportunity for all, ensuring that wherever people may live, they can access high quality sports facilities and experience the joy that sport brings.”
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, said: "This UK Government funding will help to enhance and improve grassroots football facilities for local communities in Northern Ireland. I am sure it will be welcomed by all who will benefit from it."
Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson said: “We all know football starts at the grassroots.
“With a further £3 million investment, we look forward to working with the UK Government to tackle the shortage of football pitches in Northern Ireland and enhancing and improving facilities for local communities.
“We're excited to partner with others to make sure football really is for everyone, increasing participation and strengthening the game at every level.”
Images: Carrick Rangers FC’s recently opened new facility in Carrickfergus is one of 17 artificial grass pitch projects across Northern Ireland currently being supported by The Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund. The club marked the opening by staging a youth football tournament. Today’s announcement by the UK Government means more clubs here will get to benefit from the fund.
Action from Carrickfergus
