The Covid-19 Safe Sports Packs fund, which will be administered by SportNI, will be used for equipment to help clubs ensure a safe return to sport for children, participants, coaches, volunteers and parents.
Minister Ni Chuilin said
“I am delighted to announce the opening of this £1M fund for the sports sector, as together we take tentative steps to return to sport in a safe and measured way. We all have a role to play in controlling the spread of Covid-19 and the provision of this necessary PPE equipment to sports clubs and sporting organisations will help in our fight against this virus. I hope that by providing these Covid Safe Sport Packs to clubs, it will ease some of the financial strain which is associated with a safe return to sport in this new environment.”
This investment, will provide packs which will include a number of items including hand sanitiser, face masks, gloves and a Return to Sport Signage Pack, all of which will be invaluable in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.
Antoinette McKeown, Chief Executive of Sport NI said:
“We have listened carefully to what the sports sector has been telling us recently as they facilitate a safe return to sport. One of the key challenges sports were facing was a need for adequate PPE for officials, coaches and leaders and participants. We are delighted that the Department for Communities provided this £1M to meet that challenge and we are inviting sports clubs and organisations to register an Expression of Interest to receive a free COVID Safe Sport Pack that will help protect and strengthen inclusive sports participation and support a safe return to sport.”
Sport clubs and sporting organisations should register their interest for the Covid Safe Sports Pack on the Sport NI website at Sport NI(external link opens in a new window / tab)
Sport NI will be working in partnership with Ulster Supported Employment Ltd (USEL), who will assemble and arrange delivery of the packs to sports clubs and organisations.