Date: 4 November 2020
Green Party TD for Wicklow, Steven Matthews has welcomed the news that 19 Wicklow clubs will receive support through the Sport Ireland Covid-19 funding announced by his party Colleague, Minister Catherine Martin. Discussing the news Deputy Matthews said:
“The announcement by Minister Catherine Martin this week was extremely welcome. I was particularly delighted to see that 19 clubs from across Wicklow were awarded funding. The funding being allocated today by Sport Ireland will allow sports organisations to in part off-set significant losses incurred in recent months and hopefully add some more certainty to planning for 2021. Clubs across Wicklow have shown themselves to be incredibly resilient throughout the Covid-19 restrictions with more people being active than ever before.
The clubs in Wicklow that were awarded this funding were as follows:
An Tochar GAA - €1,500.00
Arklow Celtic FC - €360.00
Arklow Rock Parnell Hurling and Camogie Club - €1,500.00
Arklow Sea Scout Group - €1,500.00
Avoca GAA Club - €1,500.00
Avondale Camogie Club - €138.86
Baltinglass Town AFC (Soccer Club) - €800.00
Bray Rowing Club - €1,425.00
Eire Óg Greystones CLG - €1,500.00
Enniskerry GAA - €504.06
Greystones Sea Scouts, 18th Wicklow - €1,413.00
Kiltegan GAA - €1,450.00
Nomads Badminton Club - €1,350.00
St Benedict Inbhear Mor AC - €1,300.00
Tinahely LGFA - €800.00
Valleymount GAA - €1,124.00
Western Gaels GAA Hurling Club - €1,400.00
Wicklow Pony Club - €1,234.00
Wicklow Rovers AFC - €1,499.94
“I am contacted on a daily basis by members of clubs across Wicklow including managers, parents and volunteers to discuss the hugely damaging impact that the pandemic has had on their club. This hit particularly hard under level 5 restrictions which reduced their activity even further. These clubs rely so much on volunteer work and fundraising that simply hasn’t been possible under lockdown measures.
”Although the funding announced by Sport Ireland wont completely negate the impact that the pandemic has had, it’s very welcome to see this initiative to help secure the futures of clubs across Wicklow. It is vital that sports organisations are ready to return to activity as soon as public health circumstances allow.
“I hope that if the current restrictions are to be successful and the restrictions can be eased, we can see a return to sport in Wicklow as soon as possible which will have huge benefits for people, particularly who have seen their social circles limited so much this year”, concluded Deputy Matthews.
Comments