Menu
05/03/2003
Sports Council launch lottery strategy plan
The Sports Council for Northern Ireland has launched a five-point plan for the allocation of sports lottery funding for the future.
The Sports Council's five priorities which will help to determine the distribution of available resources up to the year 2007 are:
Over the past eight years, lottery money allocated to sport in Northern Ireland has seen the Sports Council distribute £50 million through nearly 1,000 awards.
Speaking at the plan's launch at the House of Sport in Belfast NIO Minister Angela Smith said: “The income from the National Lottery helps to support many different types of activity across the United Kingdom and it is essential that this additional funding is spent wisely and makes a real difference to people’s lives.
“This has helped to provide different types of new playing facilities, pavilions and equipment as well as supporting special events and assisting individual sportsmen and women to develop their skills and compete at international level.”
However, the Minister stressed the importance of evaluating what has been achieved and reviewing the criteria under which these awards are made.
She said: “Examining the criteria under which one operates is always a challenge. But it is a task which must be tackled regularly in order to ensure that funding continues to be distributed in a way which has a positive effect on the whole community.
“These windfalls from the National Lottery have enormous potential to help sport in Northern Ireland to become stronger and I wish all those responsible for the allocation of these precious resources every success for the future.”
(GMcG)
The Sports Council's five priorities which will help to determine the distribution of available resources up to the year 2007 are:
- to maintain and develop existing funding themes and programmes
- to work towards the development of a Northern Ireland sports facilities strategy
- to increase the number of capital projects where revenue support is provided
- to increase the rate of awards to areas which have not been successful in securing Sports Council lottery funding, areas of high social need and under-represented groups
- to develop marketing and communications.
Over the past eight years, lottery money allocated to sport in Northern Ireland has seen the Sports Council distribute £50 million through nearly 1,000 awards.
Speaking at the plan's launch at the House of Sport in Belfast NIO Minister Angela Smith said: “The income from the National Lottery helps to support many different types of activity across the United Kingdom and it is essential that this additional funding is spent wisely and makes a real difference to people’s lives.
“This has helped to provide different types of new playing facilities, pavilions and equipment as well as supporting special events and assisting individual sportsmen and women to develop their skills and compete at international level.”
However, the Minister stressed the importance of evaluating what has been achieved and reviewing the criteria under which these awards are made.
She said: “Examining the criteria under which one operates is always a challenge. But it is a task which must be tackled regularly in order to ensure that funding continues to be distributed in a way which has a positive effect on the whole community.
“These windfalls from the National Lottery have enormous potential to help sport in Northern Ireland to become stronger and I wish all those responsible for the allocation of these precious resources every success for the future.”
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 December 2024
Ban On Single-Use Vapes Coming To Northern Ireland
A ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes will come into effect in Northern Ireland on 1 June 2025. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir announced the decision, aligning with similar bans in Scotland, Wales, and England. The move aims to address the environmental impact of single-use vapes, which are often discarded and contribute to litter.
Ban On Single-Use Vapes Coming To Northern Ireland
A ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes will come into effect in Northern Ireland on 1 June 2025. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir announced the decision, aligning with similar bans in Scotland, Wales, and England. The move aims to address the environmental impact of single-use vapes, which are often discarded and contribute to litter.
13 December 2024
Tougher Animal Welfare Laws Planned For Northern Ireland
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has outlined plans for significant animal welfare reforms in Northern Ireland. Key proposals include introducing a version of Lucy's Law to ban the third-party sale of puppies and kittens, outlawing the use of shock collars, and mandating microchipping for cats.
Tougher Animal Welfare Laws Planned For Northern Ireland
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has outlined plans for significant animal welfare reforms in Northern Ireland. Key proposals include introducing a version of Lucy's Law to ban the third-party sale of puppies and kittens, outlawing the use of shock collars, and mandating microchipping for cats.
12 December 2024
£823,000 Boost For Northern Ireland Musicians
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a significant funding boost for musicians and music groups across Northern Ireland. A total of £823,000 has been awarded to 119 individuals, bands, and professional and non-professional performing groups through the Musical Instruments Scheme, administered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
£823,000 Boost For Northern Ireland Musicians
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a significant funding boost for musicians and music groups across Northern Ireland. A total of £823,000 has been awarded to 119 individuals, bands, and professional and non-professional performing groups through the Musical Instruments Scheme, administered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
07 November 2011
NI Lottery Fund Winners Celebrated
A scheme offering support for deaf people across the North West has been announced as a winner at the National Lottery Awards 2011.
NI Lottery Fund Winners Celebrated
A scheme offering support for deaf people across the North West has been announced as a winner at the National Lottery Awards 2011.
09 December 2004
Christmas comes early with £2.5m lottery boost
State-of-the-art sports facilities and much needed play areas are being developed across Northern Ireland thanks to a massive lottery windfall being announced today. The Big Lottery Fund is awarding grants of more than £2.
Christmas comes early with £2.5m lottery boost
State-of-the-art sports facilities and much needed play areas are being developed across Northern Ireland thanks to a massive lottery windfall being announced today. The Big Lottery Fund is awarding grants of more than £2.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A largely dry evening and night. It will be mostly cloudy, but a few clear spells are possible in the east during the evening. Some patchy rain across the west shortly before dawn. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
