More than €450,000 awarded to 20 Wicklow sports clubs

The funding was announced by Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, as part of a record nationwide allocation of €26 million in equipment grants nationwide under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (‘SCEP’).

The allocations announced under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme are in response to equipment-only applications which sporting organisations submitted.

In welcoming the funding, Senator Pat Casey said: ”It is fantastic to see the time and effort put in every week by club members and volunteers in Wicklow be rewarded with this grant funding.

“The grants will go towards funding critical equipment and upgrades for clubs, such as portable lights and goals and sailing equipment. I want to thank the volunteers and club members in our county for the invaluable work they do at the very heart of our communities.”

Deputy Steven Matthews said: "I was delighted to see over €460,000 going to a wide range of clubs for all types of equipment which will be of practical benefit to these organisations, their members and athletes

" I know well how these clubs operate on very tight budgets and they make absolutely every penny count when running their clubs so these grants for equipment are always important.

"This funding is for sports equipment and I expect that the larger funding for capital projects will made in the coming weeks.”

Water sports are a huge part of life in Wicklow, with major towns Bray, Greystones, Wicklow town and Arklow all boasting well-used coastline and Blessington enjoying access to the Blessington Lakes.

This was reflected heavily in the funding allocations with €287,285 going to support sailing and rowing, while a further €28,787 was given to swimming and angling clubs.

The largest sum for a Wicklow organisation was €99,415, which will go to Arklow Sailing Club to help them develop their equal sailing opportunities programme.

Likewise, the 9th Wicklow Port of Arklow Sea Scout Group will receive €30,000 to increase their sailing programme and €10,300 goes to Greystones Sailing Club for youth development, while Bray Sailing Club and Blessington Sailing Club have been given €27,422 and €20,000 respectively to replace boat engines.

A further €59,139 has been given to Arklow Rowing Club to buy offshore boats so they can enhance participation levels, while Bray Rowing Club has been given €17,100 to buy a new safety boat, and Vartry Rowing Club receives €23,909 for a Celtic longboat and rib purchase.

Continuing the aquatic theme, The Irish Federation of Sea Anglers, whose Leinster arm is led by a committee largely based in Bray and Wicklow town, gets €13,500 for angling and safety equipment, and Bray’s Titans Swimming Club receives €15,287 for equipment.

Whilst sports involving water dominated the funding allocation, those featuring balls were not neglected with a total of €127,848 granted to soccer, basketball, camogie and golf clubs.

Top of the pile was Aughrim Rangers Football Club, who have been given €60,275 to purchase a mower for their pitch, portable lights and portable goals.

Nearby, Carnew AFC has €14,716 ringfenced for equipment, while €10,641 will go towards equipment for Aughrim Camogie Club and improving their facilities.

Additionally, Blessington Lakes Golf Club has been awarded €25,547 for course equipment and €6,328 has been awarded to Wicklow Basketball Club, again for equipment.

The remaining funds have been split between the Fifth Wicklow Bray Sea Scouts (€6,500 for the storage of hillwalking equipment), Kilcoole Athletics Club (€5,255 to purchase a container for equipment), Setanta Orienteers (€4,799 for tracking and safety devices for Rogaine Ireland), South East Archers Club (€3,200 for equipment), and Wicklow Hunt Pony Club (€8,200 for equipment).