Fibrus Play it Forward 2024 launches with £50K fund

Today we have launched Play it Forward Fund 2024, with a £50k pot available to sports clubs across Northern Ireland and Cumbria.  

The £50k fund, which is in its second year, is designed to support grassroots sports in regional and rural communities across Northern Ireland and Cumbria, offering up to £1,000 per club to help with equipment, kits, improving facilities and subsiding training fees.  

The Fund is designed to support children under 18 years and encourage them to switch off from devices, get active and have fun.  

Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said: “Investing in local communities is one of our core missions at Fibrus and our Play it Forward Fund allows us to play a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of children. 

“Sports and clubs are intrinsic to the communities in which we operate, and we are committed to supporting these communities wholly, through both digital connectivity, but also ensuring clubs have access to essential funds to support children’s sports in their area.  

“After such a good response to the Fund last year, we are delighted to continue this initiative in 2024 to support grassroots community sports organisations. We are looking forward to the positive impact it will have on local communities in the upcoming year”. 

50 clubs across Northern Ireland and Cumbria received funding support in 2023 including Ballinamallard Youth Soccer Development, who used the funds to support their girls’ programmes, and St Brigid’s Camogie club in Armagh, which used the funds received from Fibrus to run a 10-week programme encouraging more local children to get involved in the sport.   

Penrith Golf Club Junior Academy used the funding to purchase a new set of mats to allow training to take place during all seasons. Yokai Kami Karate Club in Cumbria used £1000 to buy compulsory equipment needed to participate in national competitions and Wado-Kai England training squad.  

Kerry Toner, Chairperson at St Brigid’s camogie club in Armagh said: “The funds received from Play it Forward allowed us to reach out to a wider set of children and to provide an overall training top so that all of the children felt included and there was no pressure on the parents.  

We hope that all of the children remain within the club after the initial programme and continue to enjoy playing camogie with their friends for years to come.” 

Tim Dykes, Director of golf at Penrith Golf Club, said: “The six new mats mean we are now able to accommodate more juniors during periods of bad weather, particularly when training needs to take place at our driving range.  

“By having the mats, we hope to offer more coaching earlier and later in the season when conditions are too wet outside.  

“This has already happened in recent weeks and the junior Monday night coaching has been able to go ahead when previously it would have been cancelled. This is a hugely positive step forward, thanks to Fibrus for making this possible.” 

The next round of funding is now open and the application window will close on the 5th of July 2024. 

To learn more about the full eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit https://fibrus.com/play-it-forward-fund/.