Fibrus opens £50,000 funding pot for grassroots sports clubs across Northern Ireland

Children at Ski Ability NI – a Craigavon-based charity that provides ski instruction on a dry ski slope for children with additional needs. The charity benefitted from Fibrus funding in 2025.

Northern Ireland broadband provider Fibrus has launched a new £50,000 funding programme aimed at helping grassroots sports clubs across Northern Ireland secure vital equipment, improve facilities and expand opportunities for young people.

Now entering its fourth year, the Fibrus Play it Forward Fund will provide grants of up to £1,000 to individual clubs, with applications officially opening this week.

The scheme has already delivered more than £150,000 to 152 clubs across Northern Ireland and Cumbria since launching in 2023, supporting organisations ranging from football teams and swimming clubs to wheelchair basketball and horse-riding groups.

For many local clubs facing rising costs, tighter budgets and growing pressure on volunteers, the funding can provide a significant boost ahead of the new sporting season.

Support aimed at grassroots level

Fibrus said the initiative is focused on helping community-based clubs continue providing opportunities for children and young people to stay active, social and connected away from screens.

Last year alone, 30 clubs in Northern Ireland secured support through the programme, taking the company’s total investment in local sport in the region to more than £90,000 across 92 clubs.

The fund is open to eligible grassroots organisations seeking help with practical costs including sports equipment, facility improvements and wider participation projects.

Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said grassroots sport continues to play a major role in local communities across Northern Ireland.

She said:

“At Fibrus, we are proud to support the communities we serve, and the Play it Forward Fund is one of the ways we can make a meaningful contribution.

“Grassroots sports clubs play such an important role in helping children and young people stay active, build confidence and feel connected to the world around them.

“Each year, we are encouraged by the growing interest in the fund and by the impact it continues to have for clubs across Northern Ireland and Cumbria.

“We understand the pressures many community clubs face, and we are pleased to be able to offer practical support that helps them continue providing valuable opportunities for young people. We would encourage any eligible clubs to apply.”

Funding helped open skiing opportunities for children with additional needs

Among the organisations supported through the 2025 programme was Ski Ability NI, a Craigavon-based charity that provides ski instruction for children with additional needs.

The club used its £1,000 grant to extend hire time at the Craigavon dry ski slope, helping expand access for young people aged between five and 18.

The charity supports children across a wide range of abilities and has previously helped develop athletes who have competed at national and international level.

According to the organisation, the funding directly benefited around 50 young members and enabled more families to access opportunities that may otherwise have been unavailable.

Philip Shields, Secretary of Ski Ability NI, said the support made a major difference to the charity’s work.

He said:

“We firmly believe that sport should be available to all within our community and that everyone deserves the same opportunity to try new things and meet new people.

“The funding from Fibrus we received last year enabled us to welcome even more young people into our club and open up the world of skiing to a host of different abilities.

“Without this support, we wouldn’t be able to reach as many people and give children the opportunity to ski in NI.

“I would strongly encourage any club thinking of applying to the Fibrus Play it Forward Fund to do so, it made a huge difference for us.”

How clubs can apply

Applications for the 2026 Fibrus Play it Forward Fund are now open.

The deadline for submissions is Friday 12 June at midday.

Clubs seeking more information about eligibility criteria and the application process can visit:

https://fibrus.com/play-it-forward-fund/

With many local sports organisations continuing to battle financial pressures and increasing participation costs, the latest funding round is likely to attract significant interest from clubs across Northern Ireland looking to protect and expand opportunities for young people in their communities.