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Newry City AFC Special Olympic Club, Ashgrove Rovers Youth GC, Gullion Youth Football Club and Tullyvallen Football Club are among seven Co. Down sports clubs to receive funding through Fibrus' 2026 Play it Forward fund.
The Full Fibre broadband provider has announced 52 recipients of the fund this year, with grassroots clubs across its network in Ireland and Cumbria receiving up to £1,000 each towards equipment, kits, fees or training.
A total of £50,000 has been allocated across Fibrus' network in Ireland and Cumbria this year. Other County Down recipients are Bangor Swifts Juniors 2016 Jets, North Down Tridents Basketball Club and Castlecaulfield Youth FC.
Since launching the Play it Forward Fund in 2023, Fibrus has invested more than £200,000 across Ireland and Cumbria through the scheme.
Among the wider list of recipients is Olderfleet Rowing Club, based on the shores of Larne Lough. Founded by Barbara Johnston in early 2020, the club is now a widely recognised name across the island of Ireland, having hosted the first ever Junior Irish Championships and inaugural Irish Masters Coastal Championships. The club plans to use its £1,000 Play it Forward funding to purchase new oars for racing, to the benefit of 35 junior members.
Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said the company was delighted to support another group of clubs through this year's fund. "The quality and diversity of applications from across Co. Down and beyond was outstanding, making the judging process incredibly difficult," she said. "With demand for the fund continuing to grow year after year, the vital role local sports clubs play in their communities has never been clearer. We're proud that the Fibrus Play it Forward Fund can help these organisations continue their important work, creating opportunities and making a positive difference to the lives of young people across the region."
