Leitrim GAA clubs urged to apply for Capital Sports Grants

Now that the window of opportunity for Clubs to apply for Connacht Club development grant aid has closed, Leitrim GAA Safety & Facilities Committee are urging clubs to avail of the recently announced Capital Sports Grants to progress developments at their grounds. 

The latest round of capital Sports grant aid was announced on July 17, and applications can be made online only until 5pm on September 8, 2023. This announcement has been eagerly awaited and gives Clubs and other sporting bodies an excellent opportunity to carry out new developments and to upgrade existing facilities at their grounds.

The chairperson of the Leitrim GAA Safety & Facilities Committee Gerry McGovern is urging clubs to avail of this opportunity to provide new developments, and to upgrade where necessary, existing facilities at their Club grounds. He says this is an ideal opportunity for clubs to access grant aid to carry out work that otherwise could not be done.

Fenagh St Caillins savour extra-time redemption against St Mary's to claim Masonite Division 1 title - GALLERY

After the heartbreak of losing last year's championship semi-final on penalties after extra time, Fenagh St Caillins extracted a measure of revenge when they beat St Mary's Kiltoghert 2-12 to 2-10 after extra time to claim the Masonite Division 1 crown in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada on Saturday evening. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan captured some great images of the crowd and the celebrations ... see who you can spot!

Gerry is keen to point out that this tranche of Capital Sports Grant aid has been earmarked as a funding opportunity to provide the necessary upgrade of facilities for People with Disabilities and older people at Leitrim GAA grounds which was highlighted in the report published by the Leitrim GAA Safety and facilities committee in October 2022.

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme is the government’s primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and also providing for the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. 

Included in items that will be funded under this grant aid scheme include natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts (including pitch drainage), energy efficient floodlighting, artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas, security fencing, ball stop netting and goal posts, hurling walls / handball alleys, building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets, the provision of facilities for people with disabilities and older people, building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms, non-personal sports equipment, modifications to sports facilities to reduce energy consumption, any other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance.

The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association are pleased to announce a series of webinars focusing on the Sports Capital Grant Application Process, organised in partnership with grants specialists company, 2 into 3. 

The webinar for Connacht as well as counties Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan will be held on Tuesday, August 8, from 7.30 to 9.30 pm. 

All Leitrim Clubs have been advised of this webinar and Leitrim GAA Safety and Facilities Committee are urging all clubs, and indeed all interested parties to tune in to this online Workshop for Clubs on Sports Capital Grant applications on Tuesday August 8, at 7.30pm via MS Teams. 

Details can be obtained from any of the Leitrim GAA Clubs or from the Leitrim GAA safety and facilities Committee safetyandfacilities.leitrim@gaa.ie.