Mayo Sports Partnership seeking to develop a Community Sports Hub
Mayo Sports Partnership has an opportunity to make an application to Sport Ireland under Dormant Account 2024 funding to develop a new Community Sports Hub in Mayo.
Mayo currently has two funded hubs, namely Lough Lannagh Outdoor Hub in Castlebar and Ballina Community Sports Hub.
Two other areas, Ballyhaunis and Ballinrobe, have both completed their five-year funded programme with the local community now taking ownership of the initiatives.
Expressions of interest from communities interested in establishing a Community Sports Hub are currently being sought.
Completed online Expression of Interest forms will be reviewed by a sub committee of Mayo Sports Partnership against set criteria in order to determine the project that will form an application to Sport Ireland.
Mayo Sports Partnership will work with the selected community to refine the application in advance of submission to the national sports body.
Note: The application process to Sport Ireland is very competitive and there is no guarantee of funding.
Overview
A Community Sports Hub maximises local sports facility usage through linkages with local schools, community groups, sports clubs and other physical activity groups.
The key objective is to increase the number of people of all ages participating in sport and physical activity in their communities targeting disadvantaged areas with a specific focus on adolescents/young people.
The main aims of a Community Sports Hub are to:
· Adopt a joined up approach to the provision of sport in local communities
· Provide a safe place which provides sport for all opportunities for all in the community
· Create a location where a number of sports can work together
· A forum to provide additional training and development to support capacity building
· Facilitate access to sport for those most marginalised and disadvantaged in communities
Expressions of Interest must include the following:
· Potential Sporting and Physical Activity Initiatives with a strong focus on innovation
· Clear understanding of the needs of the community
· Evidence of additionality – must be additional to what is already available in the community
· What your community can contribute to support the Sports Hub facilities, volunteers, natural resources, equipment, management and direction
· List of potential partners to participate in the Community Sports Hub
· A genuine collaboration of sports interested in working together for the good of the community
· Projected outcomes gained from the development of the Community Sports Hub initiative
Funding
The range of funding investment by Sport Ireland through Dormant Accounts to successful sites is estimated at a maximum of €50,000 per successful application with additional funding also available to the Local Sports Partnership to coordinate the project.
Expression of Interest forms can be completed at this link.
Contact: Mayo Sports Partnership at: msp@mayococo.ie or by phoning (094) 9064360.
The closing date for receipt of completed Expression of Interest forms is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.