APPLY | Minister opens £1million COVID Safe Sports Pack fund

Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín today announced the opening of a £1million fund to assist with the safe return to sport.

The Covid-19 Safe Sports Packs fund, which will be administered by SportNI, will be used for equipment to help clubs ensure a safe return to sport for children, participants, coaches, volunteers and parents.

Minister Ní Chuilín said:

“I am delighted to announce the opening of this £1million fund for the sports sector, as together we take tentative steps to return to sport in a safe and measured way. We all have a role to play in controlling the spread of Covid-19 and the provision of this necessary PPE equipment to sports clubs and sporting organisations will help in our fight against this virus. I hope that by providing these Covid Safe Sport Packs to clubs, it will ease some of the financial strain which is associated with a safe return to sport in this new environment.”

This investment, will provide packs which will include a number of items including hand sanitiser, face masks, gloves and a Return to Sport Signage Pack, all of which will be invaluable in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.

Antoinette McKeown, Chief Executive of Sport NI said:

“We have listened carefully to what the sports sector has been telling us recently as they facilitate a safe return to sport. One of the key challenges sports were facing was a need for adequate PPE for officials, coaches and leaders and participants. We are delighted that the Department for Communities provided this £1million to meet that challenge and we are inviting sports clubs and organisations to register an Expression of Interest to receive a free COVID Safe Sport Pack that will help protect and strengthen inclusive sports participation and support a safe return to sport.”

Sport clubs and sporting organisations should register their interest for the COVID Safe Sports Pack on the Sport NI website at:

www.sportni.net/funding/our-funding-programmes/covid-safe-sport-project/

Sport NI will be working in partnership with Ulster Supported Employment Ltd (USEL), who will assemble and arrange delivery of the packs to sports clubs and organisations.