Sports Minister Paul Givan has announced funding of £250,000 to encourage greater participation and increased opportunities for women and girls to get involved in sport and physical recreation.
The Minister made the announcement at an event this evening in Stormont to promote Women in Sport Week, which takes place this week and is designed to showcase women’s sport at every level, from the grassroots to the elite, and will highlight the incredible contribution that women make to sport. The event at Parliament Buildings was hosted by the All Party Group on Sport and Physical Recreation and the Female Sports Forum.
The Minister said “Women make a valuable contribution to sport and physical recreation in Northern Ireland – from those participating at a grassroots level, to those competing at the top of their sport. Increasing participation in sport and physical recreation amongst women and girls in Northern Ireland is a key priority for my Department and that is why I have allocated funding of £250,000 to encourage greater participation and increased opportunities for women and girls to get involved.
“As part of this investment, Sport NI will be working with a range of organisations to ensure delivery of opportunities across Northern Ireland and I look forward to seeing even greater numbers of women and girls of all ages and abilities to participate in and enjoy sport and physical recreation.”
Chairperson of the Female Sports Forum Angela Platt welcomed this investment. “Earlier this year the Female Sports Forum launched its Strategic Plan titled “Women & Girls – Active, Fit & Sporty”. The launch was also a call to action for others to support us in achieving our vision for “every woman and girl across Northern Ireland to feel that participating in sport and being physically active is a vital part of their everyday life”. We are delighted that Minister for Communities Paul Givan has backed that call to action with investment of £250,000 to encourage greater participation and opportunities for women and girls to get involved in sport and physical recreation”