Return to Sport 2022 Small Grant Scheme

Mayo Sports Partnership launches Return to Sport Small Grant Scheme

With sporting clubs & groups returning to sport Mayo Sports Partnership is delighted to announce details of its revamped Sports Investment Scheme for 2022.

While the Pandemic has impacted hugely on sports clubs and organisations, many clubs are looking to return to sport & physical activity, extending their reach within communities and providing much needed outlets to improve people health and wellbeing.

The scheme, supported by Sport Ireland, has a total available fund of €120,000 which is categorized under 3 headings. To view criteria of all available funds please Click Here

  1. COVID 19 Support Fund (€93,000) – Available to clubs / organisations impacted by the pandemic who did not receive direct funding from their national governing body in 2022. Costs can include cleaning / hygiene, venue hire, equipment etc. ( Max amount per application €1500). Click this link for online application https://forms.office.com/r/6rauadS08q
  2. Participation Fund (€20,000) -Invites clubs and organizations who have sport / recreation as their central focus to submit proposals which would return participants to sporting activities and/ or increase participation amongst disadvantaged groups of our population. (Max amount per application €1500). Click here for online application https://forms.office.com/r/gaA8LnrbAA
  3. Volunteer Training / Education Fund (€7,000) – Coach Education and general volunteer training ie First Aid etc can be supported to a maximum of 50% of the total cost. Note: Excludes Safeguarding courses as these are already subsidized by the Partnership.  Click here for online application https://forms.office.com/r/2gDcDBAUhf

Since the scheme was established hundreds of initiatives have been assisted in communities across Mayo. More recently the establishment of GAA for All and Soccer for All in clubs has been supported with considerable awareness of the need to include people with a disability in all sports.

Mayo Sports Partnership Chairman Cllr Michael Loftus commented “ Everyone in Mayo Sports Partnership understands the challenges that are facing clubs / communities in returning to sport. The last 2 years has seen organisations not only lose their income streams but they have lost volunteers, members etc. We hope that through this Return to Sport investment fund we can in some small way help these groups in their outstanding efforts”.

Sports Partnership Head Charlie Lambert added: “ A big thank you to Sport Ireland for their support in making this the largest ever funding initiative delivered through Mayo Sports Partnership. With the assistance of Mayo County Council we would hope to be able to make these allocations, once approved by the Sports Partnership committee, in June 2022”.

Organisations / Groups are asked to note that any capital / building projects are not eligible for investment under the schemes criteria and clubs should refer to the governments sports capital programme, see https://www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie/ . Other items such as ongoing costs for teams ie travel costs, competition costs, registration fees, sponsorship etc are also not eligible.

Please note that all applications are to be made online with the links to the above schemes available on our website at https://www.mayo.ie/en-ie/mayo-sports/news/return-to-sport-small-grant-scheme-now-open-for-ap  Closing date for is 5pm on Friday 6th May 2022, maximum allocation to any one project can be €1,500, this is dependent on meeting the criteria and overall quality of the initiative. The Mayo Sports Partnership committee will decide on all successful applications and its recommendations are final. If clubs / groups require assistance on the scheme contact the Sports Partnership office at 094-9064360.