Club Support Fund – Helping Clubs with Essential Needs
The Club Support Fund, in partnership with MacBlair, is designed to assist football clubs across Northern Ireland with essential equipment to enhance training.
What is Available?
Successful applicants will receive a equipment pack valued at £1,000 including:
- Precision FIFA Basic Training Balls
- Precision Match Footballs
- Precision Mesh Training Bibs
- Precision Kit Bag
- Precision Saucer Cones
- Precision Adjustable Speed Ladder
- Precision Pop-Up Goals
- Precision Flat Hurdles
- Precision Marker Discs
- Precision Ball Holder
How it Works
- Quarterly Awards: Grants are awarded every three months, providing regular opportunities for clubs to access funding.
- Demonstrated Need: Applications will be assessed based on the necessity of the equipment packs and the positive impact on the club and its members.
- Priority for Accredited Clubs: Clubs that have completed the People and Clubs, Club Accreditation Scheme will be given priority consideration.
- Matched funding projects will also be prioritised.
Who Can Apply?
This equipment fund is open to football clubs across Northern Ireland that require updated equipment for training. Clubs must be able to demonstrate:
- A clear need for the equipment support
- The potential impact of the support on their club
- A plan for how the equipment will support the club and players
How to Apply
Clubs interested in applying for the Club Support Fund can complete the online application form below.
The Irish FA and MacBlair are dedicated to supporting grassroots football, ensuring clubs have the resources they need to succeed. We look forward to helping clubs across Northern Ireland through this initiative.
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APPLY NOWIrish FA & MacBlair Club support Fund Application FAQs & Eligibility
When does the next application window open?
Eligible organisations can apply anytime. Applications are assessed quarterly with recipients announced shortly thereafter.
How much can we apply for?
The club support fund will provide a equipment pack valued at £1,000. Equipment packs include:
- Precision FIFA Basic Training Balls
- Precision Match Footballs
- Precision Mesh Training Bibs
- Precision Kit Bag
- Precision Saucer Cones
- Precision Adjustable Speed Ladder
- Precision Pop-Up Goals
- Precision Flat Hurdles
- Precision Marker Discs
- Precision Ball Holder
Can we speak to someone about our application?
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.
What is the eligibility criteria for applicants?
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.Purpose of support – The requested support will be a equipment pack which will have a selection of items such as
- Precision FIFA Basic Training Balls
- Precision Match Footballs
- Precision Mesh Training Bibs
- Precision Kit Bag
- Precision Saucer Cones
- Precision Adjustable Speed Ladder
- Precision Pop-Up Goals
- Precision Flat Hurdles
- Precision Marker Discs
- Precision Ball Holder
4. Demonstrated Need – The club must provide evidence of why the support is required. Applications that best evidence this need will be prioritised.
5. Community and Grassroots Engagement – Priority may be given to clubs that demonstrate a strong commitment to grassroots football, youth development, and community engagement.
Do we need partnership funding to be eligible to apply?
No, you do not need to provide any partnership funding to be eligible.
How do I apply?
All applications must be made directly by completing the form found here. Applications made by third parties on a club’s behalf, or through any third-party websites, will be withdrawn.
We have already received funding from the Irish FA previously – are we eligible to apply?
Yes, if you meet our eligibility criteria.
When will we know the outcome of our application?
Applications are assessed quarterly with recipients announced shortly thereafter.
If successful, when would the project need to take place?
Award recipients will be contacted by the Irish FA to confirm next steps on how clubs will receive the equipment pack.
Can we apply for projects that have taken place or have started already?
If you've already started the project, or if the project has finished, you are not eligible for funding support.
Why has our application been rejected?
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
We have a query regarding the guidance - who should we contact?
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.
Who has funded this programme?
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.
What is the aim of this Fund?
The aim of the Fund is to support Irish FA affiliated clubs so that they can provide a better experience for their club stakeholders and local community.
MacBlair Club Support Fund Terms and Conditions
1. Eligibility Criteria
- 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.
- A clear need for the equipment can be demonstrated (e.g. safety, community benefit, regulatory compliance).
- The club engages with grassroots football, youth development and/or the wider community.
- The club can demonstrate financial sustainability
- The club has no outstanding debts to the Irish FA and is not subject to disciplinary sanctions.
2. Application and Selection Process
- 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 fund may be reallocated.
Decisions of the panel are final, and feedback may be limited to common reasons for non-selection.
3. Support Provided
- Successful clubs will receive an equipment pack worth £1,000 (retail value) supplied via the Irish FA on behalf of MacBlair.
- Equipment packs 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.
- Support covers equipment pack provision only. The storage and safety around all product once delivered to site is the responsibility of the winning club.
4. Publicity and Recognition
- 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 equipmentbuilding 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.
5. General Conditions
- 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.