To ask the Minister for Communities whether he will consider establishing a dedicated funding stream for volunteer-led community sports groups, as recommended by those consulted in the Winter 2024-25 Northern Ireland Pulse Report, produced by the charity Sported.

This issue is an operational matter for Sport NI. I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows:

“Sport NI recognise that volunteer-led community sports groups are vital to Northern Ireland’s sports landscape. Sport NI have a funding stream that volunteer-led community sports groups can access, the Creating Opportunities Crowdfunder programme. This is open to all sports clubs, community organisations and charitable organisations. This initiative supports the development of new participation programmes, aiming to level the playing field across various sports by ensuring greater accessibility and inclusivity.

This programme empowers grassroots organisations to secure funding, strengthen their offerings, and engage more participants. Creating Opportunities will be open to applicants, including volunteer-led community sports groups, in 2025/26 and 2026/27.

For more information on the Creating Opportunities programme, including funding phases, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines, please visit the Sport NI website: Creating Opportunities | Sport NI. Sport NI would welcome applications from volunteer-led community sports groups.

Sport NI is not considering a dedicated funding stream specifically for community sports groups; however, we remain committed to building capacity through existing programmes like Creating Opportunities.

Furthermore, Sport NI has operated other programmes, that while not a dedicated funding stream for volunteer-led community sports groups, have been created and delivered with the intention of improving access to facilities and increasing participation in sport and physical activity within local communities. For example, Your School Your Club, provided funding to schools to develop existing school facilities that would then be made available for community use.

As we enter the final year of our current strategy, we continue to collaborate with valued partners such as Sported. Together, we aim to support and explore further opportunities to enhance community sport in Northern Ireland.”

For any future queries relating to operational matters, you may wish to contact the Sport NI directly. Making direct contact with the ALB will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of public resources.