Locally led initiatives grant support ireland

3 Successful Grant Application Tips for Locally Led Initiatives

National policies regarding grant investment in communities and rural areas recommend that local development should be locally driven. Focusing on a bottom-up approach, led by local stakeholders and local partnerships, is highly encouraged. In our experience, there are a number of key priority issues that your grant proposal should try to address.

Here are 3 areas you should consider for a successful, locally-led grant application:

 

1. Identify your community need

There are several community grants available on an annual or semi-annual basis, offering varying levels of funding. Each grant application welcomes a range of proposals for community development. Before proceeding with your proposal, it is important to ask the following key questions:

  1. What does our community lack?
  2. What facilities or resources might help address one of our current social issues?
  3. What facilities might attract new people to our area?

We advise that you focus on developing your response to the above areas in a thorough manner. It is not best practice to rush this process – application assessment rounds re-appear, and it is better to have a well-rounded, shovel ready plan than an incomplete application. Organisations should consult local community groups and stakeholders, conduct surveys, and consider the ‘multi-use’ aspect of your idea.  

2. Focus on inclusivity in your grant application

Consider a project that offers something for everyone, no matter their age, ability, or interest. The more inclusive projects typically score higher when it comes to grant assessment. In addition, consider the potential for a social enterprise to collaborate with your project. Most grants will require fiscal projections and want consideration to be made to the future financial sustainability of your project.

Consider inclusivity factors, such as:

  • Will there be job creation as a result of your project?
  • Could it stimulate the local economy by attracting tourists?
  • Will it provide additional facilities for your community, such as an event space?

It’s important to focus on the broader aspect of your community, rather than your personal interests. Doing so will ensure that your project is inclusive and benefits a broad range of diverse community members.

3. Consider long-term projections

It is important to consider the long-term social impact and sustainability of your project. Try to base this off citeable academic research, as local authorities and grant assessors will take an evidence-based approach to evaluation. Consider your project’s long-term projections, such as:

  • Who will oversee and run this project?
  • Do we need to set up a new committee?
  • Does that committee contain team members with useful professional backgrounds in; project management, construction, accountancy, business development? 

Considering the future social impact of your project will aid your overall application. Adopting a future-focused plan which contains innovative ideas, rather than repeated projects, are highly regarded by Local Authorities. Therefore, it’s advisable to consider how your project is innovative and could be replicated in other communities, whilst still supporting the strategic objectives of local and national development policies.  

 

Get in touch – grant applications

Oftentimes, grants applications can seem like a lengthy process which may be difficult to navigate. If you’re considering applying for a grant, but require expertise and assistance, get in touch with our Director of Grants & Economic Services, Patricia Keenan on 086 0657347. To view our previous projects, or the range of grant supports we offer, visit here.

 

Sports Capital applications

2023 Sports Capital Grant Applications

The Sports Capital Programme is the primary vehicle for government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The 2023 Sports Capital and Equipment Programme opened for applications on Monday 17th July 2023 and closed last Friday 8th September.

 

Sports Capital Masterclasses

Our Masterclasses shed light on the Sports Capital landscape for attendees. During these sessions, our Head of Grants Advisory Practice, Patricia Keenan, shared her experience with attendees to help avoid common pitfalls that lead to invalidity, helping to ensure that they have the knowledge to best strengthen their potential application.

Our grants team completed 4 in-person Sports Capital Masterclass presentations and 18 webinars. Our webinars reached 1,000 clubs across Ireland, with approximately 5,000 views of our webinar recordings. It was fantastic to see so many clubs taking our advice and preparing for their Sports Capital Grant Applications well in advance of the closing date. Our advice is always to be prepared early and ‘be grant ready’.

 

Sports Capital Applications

The 2023 Sports Capital Programme closed for applications last Friday 8th September at 5pm. Throughout the last two months, our grants team assisted 60 clubs who are requesting grants for a total of €14 million, towards projects that have a total cost of €21 million. We wish our clients the best of luck in the grant allocations.

Since 2014, we have helped Clubs and NGBs secure over €3.3million in Sports Capital Grants. Our Success rate is 94%, as per the latest round of allocations. Last year, our clients received a total of €2 million in grants allocated across 14 applicants, with 50% of clients receiving the full 100% allocation of their grant. The average allocation grant received was 84%.

 

Get in Touch

If you’re interested in gaining support for grant applications in Feasibility Studies, Community Grants, Business Case, Heritage & Arts, LEADER, LSSIF and Peace Plus, contact Patricia Keenan

 

Sports Capital Grant Announcement 2023 2into3 Grants

Sports Capital & Equipment Grant Announcement

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has announced that Sports Capital & Equipment Programme 2023 will open on Monday 17th of July at 9am and will close at 5pm on the 8th of September. It is important to list the changes that have been made to the Sports Capital Application this year.

 

The major changes to the programme are: 

  1. Capital Grants have risen from €150,000 to €200,000. Equipment Only grants have also risen from €50,000 to €70,000 and only needing only 5% match funding.  
  2. Regional Grants have increase from €300,000 to €500,000 with grant applicants needing a letter of support from national governing body of sport confirming the regional status of the project. 
  3. A specific focus on gender equality with all applicants must be compliance with the provisions of the Equal Status Acts. Clubs that do not provide equal access to its facilities, on similar terms, to men and women will not be eligible for capital funding. Funding of women-only facilities will still be valid for the grant. 
  4. The introduction of a separate category for environmental initiatives, population growth and level of existing facilities.  

 

A link to the application guidelines is included here 

 

Our Impact

We are here to help you with your grant application. Since 2014, 2into3 has helped Clubs and NGBs secure over €3.3m in Sports Capital Grants. In the 2021/22 announcements, our results were as follows:

Over €2.4million in grants allocated across 16 applicants 

Success rate of 94% of applications successfully allocated and the remaining being supported in the appeals process 

50% of clients receiving the full allocation of 100% of what they applied for 

Average allocation of amount sought was 84% 

2into3 also offers webinars on the Sport Capital Programme for your National Governing Body. As availability is limited, please contact us if you are interested in attending.

Get in Touch

If you would like to have an initial discussion about your groups needs and how we can help, then please contact Patricia Keenan at 086 0657347 or David Kerley on 086 4400850. For more information on our Grants Advisory Practice area, visit our website here.

2023 Budget: Supports for our Grant Services Clients

2023 Budget: Supports for our Grant Services Clients

This year’s budget comes at a time of massive uncertainty with the cost of living crisis, high energy, high inflation, and war in Ukraine. The government announced a “budget-within-a-budget” with €4.1 billion one-off measures supporting the €6.9 billion package to protect Irish people against this crisis. We have outlined the range of government supports that will affect our grants service and more importantly, how they will improve your nonprofit organisation. 

Department of Rural and Community Development 

Rural and Community Development Irish Budget 2023

Rural Development, Regional Affairs and Islands – €201 million 

This programme saw a slight decrease from the 2022 levels, from €202.1 million to €201 million. With the allocation, we will see commitments to: 

  • Deliver Our Rural Future, rural recreation supports, and the Towns Centres First initiative. 
  • Continue to invest in rural regeneration and development through a range of capital schemes, including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Town and Village Renewal and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. 
  • Fund activity under the Department’s capital programmes, including the next iteration of the LEADER programme, which is due to come into effect in 2023.
  • To ensure continued provision of lifeline transport services and the maintenance and upgrade of essential island infrastructure. 

 

Community Development – €187 million 

Community Development Irish Budget 2023 nonprofits

The level of support has increased with a 9% rise from the Government from 2022 from €171 million to €187 million this year. The programme aims to promote and support the development of inclusive communities, and in the community and voluntary sector. The allocation will see:  

  • Continued and improved delivery of all of community development schemes, with increases in funding for schemes such as SICAP, the Community Services Programme, supports for volunteering, and mentoring for social enterprises.  
  • Strengthen local participation through supports for Public Participation Networks and Local Community Development Committees.
  • Increase funding under the newly established Community Centre Investment Fund.  

 

Arts & Culture, Tourism, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media   

Budget 2023 Ireland Sports Nonprofits 2into3

Sports and Recreation – €174.8 million 

This department saw a decrease in funding of 4% from €181.2 million in 2022 to €174.8 million in 2023. The government aims to promote to a healthier and more active society through sports participation. This programme will see the allocation:  

  • Provide additional support for Sport Ireland to support preparations for the Olympics and Paralympics in 2024 and to increase sports participation.
  • Sustain funding for Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.
  • Sustain funding for Sports Measures via the Dormant Accounts Fund. 
  • Sustain funding for attracting major sporting events to Ireland. 

Some of the selected new measures promoted by the department: 

  • Increased funding for Sports Ireland to support high performance athletics’ preparation in the run up to the Olympics and Paralympics in 2024 – €4 million.
  • Increased funding for the implementation of the Sports Action Plan 2021- 2023 – €4 million.

 

New Measures

Funding Budget 2023

Selected new measures highlighted by the department include: 

  • Increased funding for key schemes such as the Local Improvement Scheme (+1m) and CLÁR (+0.5m) – €1.5 million.
  • Increased funding for the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in the context of the forthcoming National Outdoor Recreation Strategy – €1 million.
  • Increased funding for the Community Services Programme to implement a new funding model for supported organisations – €3.5 million.
  • Enhanced social community supports through the European Social Fund – €1 million o Increased funding for SICAP and similar type supports – €2.2 million.
  • Enhance volunteering supports (+€1m) and assisting the work completed by Public Participation Networks (+€0.4m) – €1.4 million.
  • Additional funding for the new Community Centres Investment Fund, which launched in 2022 and will benefit both rural and urban communities.

 

Contact Us

Public funding programmes have strict funding criteria and application processes. Our expert advice will guide you through the system to ensure you maximise the grant potential and achieve a successful outcome. Our experienced team will help you come to informed decisions that are in the best interests of your organisation going forward and planning for sustainability.  

In the last 2 years, our Grants Advisory team have managed 16 applications for the 2021 Sports Capital Grants for local clubs and NGBs. They secured a total of €2.4 million in grants with a success rate of 100%, with 50% of clients receiving full allocation of what they applied for.

For more information on 2into3’s Grant Services, visit our page or contact Patricia Keenan directly on +353 (0)86 065 7347.

Sports Capital Allocations 2022

Sports Capital Programme Allocations 2022

Some months have now passed since the Sports Capital Programme, capital grant allocations were announced, and the appeals process is underway, it’s time to reflect on whether the grant allocations really did achieve what it set out to do.  

In total, €144 million was allocated in February to almost 1,900 applications with €6 million kept in reserve for the appeals process. This represents the largest investment in local sport through the programme and far surpasses the previous allocations in 2019 of approximately €55 million for regional and local capital projects.  

At the time of the announcement, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, said: “The grants we are announcing today will significantly improve sports facilities in every county. There is a huge variety of different sports covered and I was particularly pleased that the scoring system placed an even greater emphasis on female participation”  

So, what was the county split for the allocations this time compared to previous years?  

Sports Capital Grant Allocations 2022


It easy to look at this graphic and see that Dublin, Cork and Galway were the big recipients but that’s how the programme is designed in order to address population density of the big cities and therefore sport participants.
  

 What is more interesting is to look at the counties who have had the largest increase in allocations.  

 

Top 5 County for increases % increase in allocation from 2018
Laois 312%
Carlow 259%
Tipperary 258%
Monaghan 243 %
Westmeath 242%

 

We can also look at the provincial split for allocations and this does reflect the dominance of Dublin and its hinterland with the population stats for the country.  

Applications by Province 2into3 Sports Capital 2022

Allocations by Sport

The allocation by sport also shows some interesting statistics. The majority of the top 10 sport almost doubled their allocation but this does not show the government’s commitment to multisport centres which fared well also, with a 165% increase in allocations.  

Sports Capital Grant Allocations by sport 2022

This can also be looked at in terms of sports and which sports had the largest increases in grant allocation also.  

The GAA family includes LGFA and Camogie and they were extremely successful. The biggest turnaround this year was for the LGFA with a 1224% increase in their allocation and this can be attributed to the objective of the Ministers to increase female participation.  

Emerging Sports

However, there are several new sporting interests successfully attracting funds this time round. There is also an increase in the number of allocations to non-sport clubs who are also focused on the promotion of sport and increasing participation in sport.  

Emerging sports sports capital 2022

The type of applicant represents the diverse activists in local sports across Ireland and the rich fabric of sport in the Irish community.  

No of applications by applicant type sports capital 2022

 

The investment in grass roots and regionals sporting interests is extremely strong now and reflects the Governments objectives of increasing sport participation at all levels and abilities and it is hoped that this will continue in the upcoming round of the SCP and the much-anticipated Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund which can assist ambitious plans across the country.  

How can your club secure a Capital Grant in the next round of allocations? Here is a check list:


✓ Prepare early – be proactive
✓ Ensure correct title of property is in place or secure a lease for a minimum of 15years
✓ Agree what you are seeking a grant for and get a quote for the cost
✓ Do you share the land with other clubs/schools and how do you include others?
✓ Do you need planning permission?

 

2into3 Grants Advisory Service provide support to clubs, NGBS and LSPs in the development of Sports Capital and Equipment projects and in this grant- round were successful in attracting over €2million for 14 sports organisations across Ireland with a 97% success rate. Should you require any further information please contact Patricia Keenan.

Note: All Data in this document is based on data available from Department of Tourism, Culture,
Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Sports Capital Grants 2022

Sports Capital Grant Allocations 2022

We are delighted to announce that 50% of our clients have secured 100% their sports capital grant in the 2021 Sports Capital Grant Applications. We successfully assisted clubs and NGBs to apply for €2million of funding for sports across Ireland for capital and equipment projects. There were 5 regional applications and 10 local applications. Clients included League of Ireland clubs, hockey clubs, golf clubs, GAA clubs, local schools, multi sports centre, local rugby, snooker and canoeing.

There was a record- level of €150 million provided for the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. €144 million has been allocated to almost 1,900 applications with €6 million kept in reserve for successful appeals lodged by unsuccessful applicants.

 

Why 2into3?

Oftentimes, many clubs are not aware of the variety of grants available. At 2into3, we assist your organisation in your application process. We work with your club directly, ensuring that you’re aware of the range of grants available to apply for and your application is at the best standard possible. We have helped clubs secure over €3.3m in Sports Capital Grants since 2014.

Previous successes, in 2021, our clients secured over €2m in Sports Capital Grants. Our expertise in completing grant applications to a high standard has helped many clubs and NGB’s in Ireland.

From our experience, the successful applications that achieve their goals are the ones that are strategic and allow time to adequately prepare their application. If you’re interested in preparing the best Sports Capital application for 2022 and require our assistance, visit our Sports Capital Grant page for more information or contact Patricia Keenan on 086 065 7347 or +44 77 4326 7665.

Sports Capital Grant applications 2021 analysis 2into3

Sports Capital Grant Applications 2021

Sports Capital Grant applications 2021 analysis 2into3

A year of lockdown has not dampened Sports Clubs’ Ambition

In December 2020, the eagerly awaited Sports Capital and Equipment Grant programme opened for applications with an estimated budget of €40million. This also coincided with increased restrictions and the cancellation of all organised sport. Speaking at the launch of the programme, The Minister of State with responsibility for Sport, Jack Chambers, stated, “The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised how important sport is to our society…critical for our physical and mental wellbeing. The new programme will again prioritise applications from disadvantaged areas…which will increase participation, including female participation and disabled users and those which share facilities with other users.”

 

What was the impact of COVID-19 to grant applications? How did clubs and the wider community respond to the uncertainty?

The Sports Capital and Equipment Grant programme received a total of 3,106 applications which were split across local applications (2,976 to a value of €177,438,655) and regional applications (130 to a value of €22,793,727). The total amount sought in this round is €200,232,382, which represents a 32.5% increase (or approximately €38.4 million) on the 2018 applications, indicating a strong demand locally and regionally.  

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, T.D, states, “It has been a tough year for many sports clubs, but the level of interest shows that clubs are determined to have improved facilities for their members when we emerge from the current Covid crisis.”

This optimism is evident through the level of interest in the Grants programme webinars offered by National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and the Local Sports Partnerships, to assist in explaining the application process, some of which attracted attendance of over 300 clubs in one session. 

2into3- Sports Capital Grant Applications 2021

Source: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, 2into3 analysis 

However, although there are an increase in the number of application and the amount sought, what was the overall picture when we look at the amount sought per capita, per county?

2into3- Sports Capital Grant Applications per capita 2018- 2020

If we look at Dublin, there is a 23% increase in number of grants submitted however they amount sought per capita has dropped by 7%, whereas in Cork, the number of applicants increased by 20% and this was matched by 20% increase in amount per capita sought.

In Louth, the number of applicants more than doubled (63% increase) however the increase per capita sought increased by only 23%. These figures would suggest that there were smaller amounts being sought by a larger group of applicants and there is a greater diversity in the applicant base.  

 As the programme is designed to increase participation in sport, it is important for us to look at what sports are applying for grants in 2021? There were 63 different sport type organisations who applied for funding and the top ten sports remain similar from 2018, however their ranking in the top 10 has altered slightly.   

2into3- Sports Capital Grant Applications Top 10 Sports by Application

 Source: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, 2into3 analysis 

However, its important to look beyond the Top 10 and see what the breakdown of sporting interests are across the country and who is seeking to develop their facilities. A total of €19,735,089 was sought by the remaining 53 sport types, with the highest of those being equestrian sports which is seeking €2,008,229 but the range of amounts sought goes down to 7,253.82. The full range of applicants is testament to the sporting life of the country and how it continues to grow despite challenges.  

 Other Sports by % of total grants sought

2into3- Total Grants Sought Sports Grant Application

Source: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, 2into3 analysis 

 

Applicant type 

This diversity in sport is reflected in the groups who are applying to the programme for finance. The type of applicant tells us about the involvement of the wider community in submitting applications and not just as a licensee but as a community wide initiative to increase participation in sport. Nationally 75.3% of applications received were from Sports Clubs and the remainder from a cross section of the nonprofit sector.  

2into3- Applicant Type by Subsector Sports Capital Grant Application

Source: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, 2into3 analysis 

 

In conclusion 

There is no decline in the ambition of sports clubs to continue to grow and develop their facilities and they are looking to the future as to how they can meet the current and future needs of their members. The Department are currently processing both local and regional applications and there is yet no indication as to when the allocations will be announced. However, given the level of interest in the programme and club engagement there is a will for sports clubs to survive through these challenges and continue to grow post lockdown.  

 

Patricia Keenan - 2into3 Belfast office

Patricia Keenan is a Senior Consultant with 2into3 and leads Grant Services on behalf of the company. She has delivered numerous webinars assisting clubs in the Sports Capital Application process, as well as managing individual Capital Grant Applications for regional and local funding on behalf of clubs and NGBs.

For more information, contact Patricia.

Sports Capital Grant Webinars

Helping clubs to prepare their Sports Capital Grant Applications

sports capital grants 2into3 webinar series around Ireland

Today is the closing date for the registration of your club’s intention to apply for a Sports Capital Grant. For those of you who have applied before you will understand how technical the application process can be.

2into3 have teamed up with a number of Local Sports Partnerships (LSP) and National Governing Bodies (NGB) offering their clubs a webinar about how to apply for a Sports Capital Grant. These sessions covered the applications process, how to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes and how to maximise your club’s score, the higher the score the more likely the application will be successful. During the webinar, those clubs who had a particular problem or question had the opportunity to ask an expert on the process and how best they should proceed with their application.

In the past 4 weeks over 2,000 participants have attended their LSP’s or NGB’s webinar, where over 1,000 questions were answered live in the webinar.

 

Since 2014, we have secured approximately €1.3m in Sports Capital Funding for clubs around the country. Based on evidence, between 10%-20% of all applications will be invalid, meaning that the applications were completed incorrectly. Only the top 75% of valid applications will receive funding, which is based on a scoring system.

The Sport Capital Programme is open to all clubs to apply for funds, not only infrastructure work, but this round also funds non-personal sports equipment which can include protective wear, gym equipment, portable sports equipment, storage containers and much more. It’s important for sports clubs to make an application large or small as the programme does support new and growing sports across Ireland.

 

If you are a member of the following sporting bodies or partnerships, please contact your local representative for a copy of the presentation:

Hosts of Sports Capital Grants Webinars: LSP

Carlow Local Sports Partnership

Cavan Local Sports Partnership

Cork Local Sports Partnership

Kilkenny Recreation and Sport Partnership

Leitrim Local Sports Partnership

Longford Local Sports Partnership

Louth Local Sports Partnership

Meath Local Sports Partnership

Monaghan Sports Partnership

Offaly Sports Partnership

Sligo Sport & Recreation Partnership

Waterford Local Sports Partnership

Wicklow Recreation and Sport Partnership

 

National Governing Bodies (NGBs)

American Football Ireland

Basketball Ireland

Canoeing Ireland

Cricket Ireland

Golf Ireland

Kickboxing Ireland

Munster GAA council

Triathlon Ireland

Club Force

 

Your application to register your interest in submitting a grant should be completed by 5pm today, on the OSCAR website (Online Sports Capital Register). This website is where clubs apply for funding and manage the drawdown of grants.

This round is the 2020 Programme of grants which opened for applications on Friday 11 December 2020 and will close on 5pm on Monday 1st March 2021.

 

Best of luck with your applications!!

Sports What's next for Fundraising

What’s next for Sport Sector Fundraising as we exit lock-down

Join our Webinar “What’s next for Sport Fundraising?” as Ireland exits lock-down. How should sport organisations approach fundraising in the months ahead? Over a short number of weeks, we have seen significant changes in the sector. These changes have impacted the fundraising approach of sport organisations.

 

The announcement of €70m government support package for sport is very welcome and needed. Fundraising is largely untapped by sporting organisations. The latest evidence suggests that sport reports only 2%-3% of the total fundraised income in Ireland which was €1.1b in 2017. We have seen massive fundraising drives across Ireland from Irish sporting bodies. When it comes to donor priorities, where do sporting organisations rank in a post-lockdown Ireland?

 

What choices will have to be made to survive and thrive in the future? Sporting organisations across the country are built on a earned-income model which has been adversely impacted by Covid-19. As we progress into 2020 and a new decade, is now the time for sport to look at alternative sources of funding in order to balance risk?

 

The webinar will debate this and will start by looking at the current fundraising landscape in Ireland. We will look to international peers to see the pros and cons of the different approaches to sport fundraising and where opportunities may lie for National Governing Bodies, regional bodies and clubs. Our expert panel will take us through their experiences in fundraising for Irish sport to date while Rob Hartnett will cover some of the inventive club fundraising initiatives taking place around the country.

 

Joining 2into3 on the panel will be:

  • James O Callaghan, Performance Director, Irish Sailing
  • Tim Floyd, Secretary, Tipperary GAA
  • Rob Hartnett, CEO, Sport for Business

Date: Thurs 25th June 2020 3pm.

Sports Capital Grants funding gound

Sports Capital 2018: Does Class Matter?

 

Sports Capital 2018: Does Class Matter?

In January 2020, the allocation of Sports Capital Grants made headlines across the country. With these allocations came moans, groans, cheers and praise for a grant system that is severely underfunded. However, the recipients of the grant money has caused much debate. Most recently, Mr Ewan MacKenna and Mr Philip Boucher-Hayes have inputted to the debate on Sports Capital Grants. Is it about “La-la Land” forgetting what sport really is? Or, do we all need a significant dose of reality? Mr MacKenna writes “To be fair to the sports grants system, that it exists is a step in the right direction. But how it exists is problematic.” The issue, though, is not how it exists, but rather the general Irish interpretation of the grants system.  Over the past number of years, 2into3 has conducted research on Sports Capital Grants. As outlined in previous research findings, delving deeper into the figures better informs the debate. Questioning the allocation by quantum is not a fair assessment of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport’s (DTTAS) policy towards the allocation of Sports Capital Grants.

Following the fallout of the 2017 round, DTTAS followed through on their commitment to dedicate more funding to socio-economic disadvantaged areas. The system they have used for the more recent rounds was the Pobal Deprivation Index. Clubs that were based in disadvantaged areas, according to the Index, were given more marks than clubs not in these areas. Furthermore, the level of own funding required varied depending on your location in the Pobal Index. Clubs from disadvantaged areas were given greater preference. However, many have taken exception to the DTTAs allocation of money, see table 1.

Use of the Pobal Index does not tell the whole story. DTTAS is very much so aware of this. A club sitting in a Pobal classified “affluent” area could have many members coming from disadvantage or minority groups. The same could be said vice versa. Greater consideration should be given to the member composition and catchment area of clubs applying for grants. However, at the time of writing, a more refined system has yet to be developed or suggested by DTTAS or the general public.

Mr Boucher-Hayes of Drivetime RTE Radio 1 argued that the grants “show a distinct bias in favour of middle-class sports.”[1] This was an argument put forward in previous rounds. DTTAS philosophy is quite simple, if you’re not in it, you can’t win it. It begs the questions, how can DTTAS allocate funding to those who are not applying for the programme in the first instance? A breakdown of table 2 shows what sports applied for the local fund in 2018. Why did the GAA receive the most? They applied in greater numbers. Why did golf receive more than boxing? Simple numbers, golf clubs applied at a rate of 3:1 compared to boxing clubs.

To secure a Sports Capital Grant, you need to be proactive, not reactive. Tennis Ireland has trained clubs to be proactive with Sports Capital. Unsurprisingly, tennis’ application rates increased and therefore what they received increased. Similarly, golf clubs have been trained to anticipate deadlines, not react. This approach does take time, though. 2into3 have done similar work with cricket, for example, which has seen a 17% increase in applications and an 83% increase in secured funding in 2018 compared to 2017. No sport will apply at a comparable rate to the GAA. The GAA is at the root every almost every community in Ireland. Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of national governing bodies to prepare and inform their club base appropriately. This is completely out of the control of DTTAS, it cannot force any club to apply.

For example, clubs that do not satisfy the land title requirements as stated above can still apply for capital. Most clubs either overlook this or are not aware of the opportunity. In fact, DTTAS increased the threshold from €25,000 to €50,000 in 2018 in a bid to increase applications of clubs that do not suit the title requirements of the programme. Furthermore, clubs can also apply for up to €150,000 in equipment grants with no need for land ownership. Almost half of boxing’s allocation came via the equipment grant route.Ownership of land is another critical issue to access of Sports Capital Grants, which the GAA has over others also. The fact remains that sports like badminton, basketball, boxing, squash, and more all play out of sports halls. Often, they do not own these sports halls or work off yearly rental agreements. To apply for a full maximum grant of €150,000, clubs either need own the land through freehold or have leasehold of a minimum duration of 15 years at the time of the application. The lack of applications from these sports would suggest that long-term agreements are in the minority. Admittedly, the statistics provided by DTTAS do not go deep enough to show how many boxing, basketball, etc clubs applied under multisport. The numbers are effectively skewed. However, the programme was adjusted in 2018 to encourage more clubs to apply for capital.

Furthermore, DTTAS gives preference to applications from local authorities to aid local capital development. Since 2014, DTTAS have shown a distinct preference to applications made by local authorities and local sports partnerships who are making applications on behalf of clubs unable to do so themselves. This included €97,850 to Ballymun Sports & Fitness and €94,500 to Finglas Sport & Fitness Centre. However, these applications are classified generally as “multisport” which was only bested by the GAA. “Multisport” facilities will not make national headlines as Irish society is too transfixed with looking over the fence to see how one sport did compared to another. Multisport facilities are commonplace across Europe.

Allocations to hockey have made significant headlines over the years. To put the 2018 allocations in perspective, that’s 1.3% of the total funding and only 39% of what the 34 hockey clubs asked for. On the other hand, boxing received 1.6% of total funding and 53% of what clubs asked for. Undoubtedly, boxing performed better than perceived “middle-class sports” such as hockey, golf and tennis. Should we simply exclude any sport based on public preference to others? No, DTTAS simply cannot do this. Clearly, an awareness campaign is needed to raise application rates among sports like boxing. One wonders, why doesn’t the Sports Capital Programme get such publicity when a funding round opens?

In the UK, much research was undertaken to prove the true impact of sport. The Culture and Sport Evidence (CASE) programme was a joint strategic research initiative led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and its sector-leading arms-length bodies: Arts Council England, English Heritage and Sport England. The published research provides ground-breaking evidence on making the case for investing in sport based on the broader wellbeing, health and educational outcomes. Some of the key findings were increases in numeracy scores, education, health gains and substantial long-term economic value in terms of avoided health costs. Furthermore, a “A range of factors, including age, gender, alcohol consumption, childhood experience of sport, socio-economic variables, a limiting illness or disability, educational attainment, unemployment, TV and internet use, and the proximity of local sports facilities, are directly associated with people’s participation in sport.”[2]  It is time that studies similar to this are commissioned in Ireland.

 

When the whistle blows, there are always winners and losers. After all, it’s the basis of sport and an oversubscribed grant system is no different. Should funding be given to allow clubs access to land? Or should we follow the approach implied by Mr MacKenna and Mr Boucher-Hayes and simply expel “middle-class sports” from the Sports Capital Programme? A more pragmatic approach is needed, one that supports the grant system and gives evidence to DTTAS that €50m-€60m each year simply is not enough.

Understandably, calls for increased state support are no surprise; a common critique that could be used across every government programme and support. What makes Sports Capital any different? Frankly, it is the primary mechanism for clubs access significant capital funding. Without it, the provision of sporting developments at local level would effectively stagnate. The benefits of sport cannot be understated – it benefits physical, mental and emotion health. It helps social inclusion and cohesion. Na Fianna’s GAA club’s social value report gives hard evidence to the augmentation of state supports for local clubs. Now is the time to significantly increase the investment in grassroot sport. Valid applications under Sports Capital clearly have credit. The level of funding under Sports Capital should allow all valid applications to get support. This would benefit all sport – not just the reader’s choice.

 

For more information, please contact Patricia at patricia.keenan@2into3.com or +353-86-0657347.

[1] Philip Boucher-Hayes, Drivetime RTE Radio 1, Thursday 21 November, 2019.

[2] https://www.sportengland.org/our-work/partnering-local-government/tools-directory/culture-and-sport-evidence-programme/