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Newry City AFC have received £400,000 in funding from the Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund, for the development of a new 3G Synthetic Playing Pitch, Floodlights and Fencing at Newry Showgrounds. Additional financial support has also been received from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Community Finance Ireland.
The Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund is supported by the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport and administered by the Irish FA supported by Co-operation Ireland.
Announcing their exciting plans Club Chairman Martin Mc Loughlin stated, “Today is a very special day for Newry City AFC and is the culmination of many years of dedicated work by our Board. I would like to personally thank our funders for having the courage to support our Club, namely; Department of Culture Media and Sport, Irish Football Association, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Community Finance Ireland"
McLoughlin continued, “This development will have a major impact on the future of our club and will hopefully lead to a very positive influence on all those involved with the club. Our Youth Academy will now have state of the art facilities to develop their plans and we feel this project will attract many new players and coaches to our teams.
"The development will enhance grassroots sport in the City of Newry and the South East Region. The new facility will be an asset that will benefit the wider community and enable local people to get active to improve health and wellness in our city."
McLoughlin concluded "I would like to thank all those people both internally and externally for helping us get to this massive investment announcement today and I look forward to March 2024 when the groundwork for our new 3G Pitch commences”.
Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson said: “Good grassroots football facilities means a better experience for everyone participating in the game, at whatever level they’re at.
“This funding will provide 11 new artificial grass pitches and upgrade six existing pitches across Northern Ireland.
“It aligns with our commitment to support new and improved facilities and, with the hosting of the UEFA EURO 2028 in the UK and Ireland, it is crucial that the grassroots game across the nation benefits from investment too.”
