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Newry City AFC is one of 20 football clubs in the north to be taken forward under the Northern Ireland Football Fund Performance Programme. The announcement was made by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons 11 September. The local club's proposed project is between £1.5 and £6m. The 20 projects will now proceed to the next stage of funding assessment.
Speaking at a special live streamed event in Belfast, the Minister said: “These clubs, big and small, from across Northern Ireland, have impressed with their plans to improve facilities for the game and for local communities.”
Department for Communities officials will work closely with the 20 projects on business case development and carry out detailed due diligence checks.
The Minister added: “Together we are moving forward to achieve real change for the benefit of players, fans and local communities. And we are in this for the long haul.
“It is clear that the need and demand at club level exceeds the current available budget of £36.2million.
“I will be seeking the fair and equitable funding which is due after years of delays during which time capital construction costs have soared.”
Applications to progress to the next stage
Tier 1 (project value under £1.5million)
Armagh City
Ballymacash Sports Academy
Lisburn Distillery
Queen’s University
Rathfriland Rangers
Tier 2 (project value £1.5million to £6million)
Ballinamallard United
Ballymena United
Banbridge Town
Bangor
Carrick Rangers
Dergview
Dungannon Swifts
Glenavon
Larne
Lisburn Rangers
Loughgall
Newry City
Oxford Sunnyside
Tier 3 (project value more than £6million)
Cliftonville
Glentoran
Crucial step forward
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA has welcomed the announcement. “I welcome this funding for Newry City A.F.C, which is a crucial step forward in supporting our local sports clubs and enhancing facilities for players and fans.
This represents an exciting development for the club, and I look forward to seeing them realise their full potential in the time ahead.
Ms Kimmins emphasised that while this investment is welcome, more must be done to support all clubs across the region fairly.
"There are also many other fantastic grassroots football clubs across Newry and Armagh that urgently need upgraded facilities and support to help them grow and thrive.
"It is therefore essential the Communities Minister now progresses the grassroots football fund at pace, and I hope to see many of our local clubs benefitting from this important strand of the funding available."
“We must continue pushing for equitable funding so that every community and club has the opportunity to thrive.
"Sport brings communities together and is crucially important for encouraging our children and young people to live active, healthy lives, and I am committed to ensuring that sports clubs in Newry are not left behind.
“Sinn Féin wants to see investment across all sports and communities, including support for the GAA to redevelop Casement Park, which is long overdue."
