MacBlair Building Support Fund

Due to the high volume of applications received, the application process is currently closed while submissions are being reviewed. The Irish FA and MacBlair will provide an update on the next application window in due course via the Irish FA website and official channels.

The Building Support Fund will provide between £5000 - £10000 of building materials support for successful recipients.

We’ve developed this comprehensive set of Frequently Asked Questions that should answer all your questions. Should you have a specific query not covered in the FAQs, please contact Club Development Manager Gareth Allen, at gareth.allen@irishfa.com.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Affiliation with the Irish FA – The applying club must be officially affiliated with the Irish Football Association (IFA) and be registered with a recognized league or governing body under its jurisdiction.
2. Location – The club must be based in Northern Ireland and operate within the region covered by the Irish FA.
3. Facility Ownership or Lease – The club must either own its facility or hold a long-term lease (minimum of five years) on the property where improvements will be made.
4. Purpose of Materials – The requested materials must be used for facility improvements, including but not limited to:
• Pitch maintenance or development
• Changing room or clubhouse upgrades
• Spectator areas (e.g., seating, fencing, shelters)
• Accessibility improvements (e.g., ramps, pathways)
• General infrastructure repairs
5. Demonstrated Need – The club must provide evidence of why the materials and support are required, such as safety concerns, community benefit, or compliance with regulations.
6. Community and Grassroots Engagement – Priority may be given to clubs that demonstrate a strong commitment to grassroots football, youth development, and community engagement.
7. Compliance with Building Regulations – Any proposed work must comply with local planning and building regulations, and clubs may be required to provide relevant approvals where necessary.
8. Financial Sustainability – The club must demonstrate financial sustainability and a commitment to maintaining the improved facilities after the work is completed.
9. Volunteer and Club Participation – Clubs may be required to contribute volunteer support or co-funding to the project, where feasible.
10. No Outstanding Debts or Disciplinary Issues – Clubs with outstanding debts to the Irish FA or under disciplinary sanctions may be ineligible to apply.

No, you do not need to provide any partnership funding to be eligible.

No, each club can only apply once. If you have already received an award as part of the MacBlair Building Support fund programme you are not eligible to apply again

Applications are currently closed. When the next application window opens, you’ll be able to apply via the online form on this page.

Yes, if you meet our eligibility criteria.

Applications are assed quarterly with recipients announced shortly thereafter.

Award recipients will have 12 months to use their award credit.

If you've already started the project, you may still be eligible to apply. The application would need to cover supplies / works that have not been purchased / started.

We are unable to provide individual feedback for every application but common reasons for rejection include:

•        Your organisation type isn’t eligible.
•        Other projects have better demonstrated the need for an award

Please feel free to contact Gareth Allen, Club Development Manager at gareth.allen@irishfa.com, he is on hand to support you during the application process.

This programme is being funded by MacBlair as a partnership with the Irish FA Foundation. The application process is being administered by Gareth Allen, Club Development Manager at the Irish FA Foundation.

The aim of the Fund is to support Irish FA affiliated clubs to improve their facilities so that they can provide a better experience for their club stakeholders and local community.

• It is officially affiliated with the Irish FA and registered with a recognised league or governing body under its jurisdiction.
• It is based in Northern Ireland and operates within the region covered by the Irish FA.
• It either owns its facility or holds a long-term lease (minimum 5 years) on the property where improvements will be made.
• Requested materials will be used for facility improvements (e.g. pitch works, clubhouse upgrades, spectator facilities, accessibility, or infrastructure repairs).
• A clear need for the materials can be demonstrated (e.g. safety, community benefit, regulatory compliance).
• The club engages with grassroots football, youth development and/or the wider community.
• All proposed work complies with relevant planning and building regulations.
• The club can demonstrate financial sustainability and a commitment to maintaining facilities.
• The club confirms it is in a position to provide labour and/or cover labour costs to complete the project.
• The project will be fully completed within 12 months of receiving support.
• Volunteer or co-funding contributions may be provided where feasible.
• The club has no outstanding debts to the Irish FA and is not subject to disciplinary sanctions.

• Applications must be submitted via the official online form.
• Applications are assessed quarterly, with closing dates on the final day of each calendar quarter.
• Shortlisted clubs may be contacted and asked to present their application on-site to a panel of IFA and MacBlair representatives.
• If a shortlisted club cannot respond within 10 days of written notification, the place may be reallocated.
• Decisions of the panel are final, and feedback may be limited to common reasons for non-selection.

• Successful clubs will receive between £5,000 and £10,000 (retail value) worth of building materials supplied via participating MacBlair branches (including Watershed Bathrooms, Doorways and Wood Floor Warehouse).
• Materials are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

• Ownership passes to the club upon delivery or collection. Storage and safe use are the responsibility of the club. MacBlair have no liability for the product post transfer of ownership.

• Materials are subject to availability of stock and must be ordered within 3 months of confirmation and used within 12 months.
• Support covers materials only; all labour, installation, and ongoing maintenance are the responsibility of the club. The storage and safety around all product once delivered to site is the responsibility of the winning club.

• By accepting an award, the successful recipient agrees to participate in any associated publicity or promotional activities. This may include the use of their name, likeness, and entry for promotional purposes without additional compensation.
• The successful recipient agrees not to sell, order to sell or use the funding award or the materials provided for any commercial or promotional purposes (including placing the award on any internet auction site).
• Successful clubs agree to take part in reasonable publicity and promotional activity (including photography, video, and media features).
• The club agrees to display a MacBlair branded advertising banner (provided by MacBlair) at the club in a prominent location.

• Applications and supporting information become the property of the Irish FA and/or MacBlair on submission and may be used for reporting and promotional purposes.
• Participation in the Fund implies full acceptance of these conditions.
• The IFA and MacBlair reserve the right to amend or withdraw the Fund where necessary.
• Clubs’ details may be published as part of programme reporting.
• We will only use your personal information in accordance with the Promoters’ privacy policy. See website for details of policy https://www.irishfa.com/privacy
• The Fund is governed by the laws of Northern Ireland and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of its courts.