Description
The Active Clubs Programme is aimed at supporting sports clubs across Northern Ireland to increase their club membership and increase the capacity of their coach and volunteer workforce. There are specific targets around increasing membership among a number of underrepresented demographics including women and girls, those aged 14-25 years, and those living in areas of high social need.
Governing Bodies have utilsed funding received to roll out a range of sporting and physical activity programmes both in club and school settings with the aim of encouraging more people to become involved in sports clubs, thus increasing their likelihood of becoming involved in sport on a lifelong basis. Funding is also used to support the coaching & volunteer workforce within club settings in order to provide them with the skills and knowledge to take an active role in their club. Equipment is also purchased to enable clubs (particularly new clubs) to run programmes and activities.
Results and impact
In Year 3 of the Active Clubs Programme i.e. 2016/17 all programme targets were surpassed. A total of 173 clubs engaged in the programme and 5127 individuals joined a sports club, of which 1417 were aged 14-25 years, 3187 were female, and 1305 were from areas of high social need. A total of 3233 training, education and learning opportunities were created for coaches and volunteers.
Type of activity
Programmes promoting activity
Regular outdoor trainings/courses
Special events/days
Physical activities in natural and cult. ecosystems
Place: Northern Ireland
Territorial level: National
Organizer: Sport Northern Ireland funded programme - Grant Funded Bodies include the following – British Gymnastics, British Orienteering Federation, Disability Sport NI, Irish Amateur Boxing Association, Netball NI, Outdoor Recreation NI, Ulster Angling Federation, Ulster Council GAA, Ulster Hockey Union, Cricket Ireland, UK Dodgeball Association, RYANI, Table Tennis Ireland – Ulster Branch.
Source: The 13 Funded Bodies record data relating to their activities on an online application. In addition, Sport NI conduct quarterly progress meetings with the 13 bodies.