Children’s sports receive £33 million lottery grant

Northern Ireland children are set to benefit from a £33.75 million grant from national lottery grants.

The New Opportunity Fund (NOF), the lottery distributor, will channel the money into the province’s five local education authorities by the end of the year.

Breige Gadd, a member of the NOF board, believes that the input of such a large grant would dramatically transform sports facilities for children.

“This programme will give young people across Northern Ireland the chance to choose a positive, healthy lifestyle,” she said.

“Major new opportunities will also be created by this grant programme to benefit all communities (and will) change the face of sporting provision in our schools and communities.”

Reacting to the news, minister for culture, media and leisure minister Michael McGimpsey said: “I very much welcome the package, as it will make a significant contribution to increasing levels of activity for young people.

“It also compliments the findings of the Soccer Strategy Advisory panel who have advocated greater involvement of children in the sport and I look forward to seeing children reap the rewards in years to come.”

The award is the largest of its kind to date and will be ploughed into a modernisation programme for existing facilities and building sports resources within schools and community areas.

In total, NOF have been given £750 million to distribute to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. (GMcG)