The Irish FA has welcomed progress on project assessment within The Northern Ireland Football Fund as “another step forward”.
Back in January Communities Minister Gordon Lyons opened applications to the TNIFF Performance Programme, marking the start of a £36.2m footballing facilities improvement programme across Northern Ireland.
Performance clubs were invited to submit proposals to modernise their grounds and transform the game for players, fans and local communities.
Today the Communities Minister announced the first cohort of clubs to be taken forward under the Performance Programme.
He revealed a total of 20 projects will now proceed to the next stage of funding assessment within the programme.
Speaking at a special live streamed event at H&W Welders Football Club in Belfast, the Minister said: “I am pleased to announce the 20 performance club projects proceeding to the next stage of the process.
“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 now work closely with the 20 projects on business case development and carry out detailed due diligence checks.
Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson said: “This is another step forward and we commend the clubs that have progressed to the next stage of the programme.
“What comes next is to understand exactly how much funding and at what point the funding for these clubs will be delivered and also what happens with the clubs that haven’t made it to this stage.”
At the event in east Belfast the Minister also saidannouncements on the Grassroots Facilities and National Football Centre strands of the fund will be made in the coming months.
The Irish FA CEO further said: “We also welcome the Minister’s encouraging comments regarding a future funding announcement for our National Football Centre and the grassroots game.
“Together with the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) we will continue to engage closely with Department for Communities officials to advocate for a £200 million investment - a figure identified by the department itself as necessary to upgrade performance club grounds, enhance grassroots facilities and establish a National Football Centre for Northern Ireland.
“We understand that the Northern Ireland Executive is currently agreeing an investment strategy for Northern Ireland and hope to learn more about this and if any of this investment will be earmarked for football.
“Modern, fit-for-purpose stadia will not only support player development and raise performance levels but will also help inspire future generations from the grassroots upwards. Improved facilities across all levels of the game will have a lasting positive impact on football and communities throughout Northern Ireland.”
The Communities Minister said it was clear that the need and demand at club level exceeds the current available budget for The Northern Ireland Football Fund, which is £36.2million.
And he promised: “I will be seeking the fair and equitable funding which is due after years of delays during which time capital construction costs have soared.”
A total of 38 clubs applied to the Performance Programme, however only 20 made it through to the next stage of the process.
The Minister said: “I appreciate the hard work that has gone into all of the proposals by applicants, supported by fans and players alike.
“I have visited many grounds during my time as Minister and have seen the level of need first-hand.
“I know that some will be disappointed today. But this is not the end of the journey. I give my commitment today to stay with you and continue to seek further funding to meet the evidenced need.”
The 20 applications to progress to the next stage, in alphabetical order under each tier of the programme, are:
Tier 1 (project value under £1.5m)
Armagh City
Ballymacash Sports Academy
Lisburn Distillery
Queen’s University
Rathfriland Rangers
Tier 2 (project value £1.5m to £6m)
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 £6m)
Cliftonville
Glentoran
Image: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons (centre) with NIFL Chief Executive Gerard Lawlor and Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood at today's NIFF announcement.
