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 | | Wednesday, 23 January, 2002, 12:59 GMT Cash boost for youth sports  Schools will receive money for news sports facilities Northern Ireland is set to benefit from a multi-million pound lottery package for sports facilities. The New Opportunities Fund announced on Wednesday that more than �33m will be used to build amenities for young people. It is the largest lottery-backed programme to date and will focus on schools and facilities in the wider community. The money will be used to build new outdoor sports facilities for school children and encourage young people to pursue physical education. Many existing facilities will also be revamped and grants will be made available to outdoor adventure centres.
The New Opportunities Fund's board member for Northern Ireland, Breidge Gadd, said the programme would "change the face of sporting provision in our schools and communities". "This programme will give young people across Northern Ireland the chance to choose a positive, healthy lifestyle. Major new opportunities will also be created by this grant programme to benefit all communities," she said. Detailed bids will be submitted after education authorities have agreed what portfolios have been agreed. Allocation between the Boards is: Boards will make their spending plans in consultation with schools and local councils. Gaelic Athletic Association footballer Peter Canavan, a physical education teacher at Holy Trinity College in Cookstown, County Tyrone, said the money was a major boost to sport. "The benefits of taking part in PE at school cannot be under-estimated. Sport motivates and engages young people and instils discipline, confidence and self-esteem," he said. "I am delighted that the New Opportunities Fund has invested so much importance in sport for young people and the community in general." The grants will be made available for synthetic or natural turf pitches, renovating or building changing rooms or buying land for sports facilities. | |
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