- Join the AXA Community Bike Rides - Move for March campaign
- Upcoming Workshops - Using Sport as a Tool to Manage Challenging Behaviour, Click here for full details
- Our Centres in Ards, Comber, Portaferry and Londonderry Park are currently closed
- Please read the latest lockdown information - on our Leisure during Covid-19 page
Clubs
Helping local clubs get started and develop.
Clubs are the backbone of sport in our community and Sports Development offers support and advice to ensure all clubs, new and established, can deliver a quality experience.
Our team can provide all the information required to start a new club, develop coaching, put the necessary quality and safeguarding procedures in place and create opportunities for individuals to take part from beginner to elite level.
How we can help your club
See below for how we can help.
Sports Forum
Ards and North Down Sports Forum exists to support the development, establishment and sustainability of local sports clubs.
It is a voluntary organisation of the Sports Development team, affiliated sports clubs and organsations and associations based or delivering sport within the Ards and North Down borough.
The role of the forum is to:
- act as a consultative body between council and the sporting community
- provide grants (see below) to support local sports organisations and athletes
- inform its members about relevant sporting news
- contribute to sports development in the area
Joining the Sports Forum
To access the help and support of the forum, clubs and organisations must be affiliated members.
Affiliation runs from 1 April to 31 March with an annual fee of £25.
Sports Forum Meetings
The Sports Forum holds quarterly meetings and monthly Working Group meetings to assess grant applications. The forum’s AGM is held in June.
All forum members nominate a member to represent them at the meetings.
2021 Meeting Dates
Dates to be confirmed.
Funding
Funding is available to clubs through the annual Sports Forum Grant and Captial Grant Scheme.
Both grants are managed by Sports Development. Further information on grants and making an application is available from the team by emailing: sportsdevelopment@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Sports Forum Grant |
Please note: only the Gold Card grant is currently available. Sports Forum Grants are available annually to affiliated Sports Forum members. Funding can be applied for the following:
Funding is available from 1 April to 31 March each year and grants can be applied for at any time during the year. Please note: Sports Forum Grants are only available to Sports Forum members who have been affiliated for a minimum of three months prior to application. Successful applicants must submit a report form detailing how their grant was used. Applicants should read the Guidance Notes fully before making an application. |
Capital Grant Scheme |
Please note: this scheme is not currently available. In recognition of the need to invest in clubs and facilities to improve the quality of provision, Ards and North Down Borough Council provides a Capital Grant Scheme. Grants are available for capital expenditure such as facilities or equipment, defined as “expenditure for technical assistance and/or purchase, improvement, restoration and construction of an asset directly related to the applicant organisation”. Grants are available to sports clubs which must:
Each year Ards and North Down Borough Council provides grants for the forthcoming financial year (April to March) and can award up to 50% of eligible capital costs, with a maximum award of £5000 in respect of any one project. Application for Capital Grants are usually available in two tranches - May/June and September/October. This is dependant on available budget. Please read the Guidance Notes for full details on applying for a Sports Development Capital Grant. |
Awards
To recognise the success and achievements of local sporting individuals and teams, Sports Development runs annual Sports Awards. The winners are celebrated and recognised at an Awards Ceremony held in March.
Awards are made to persons who have been involved in sport within the borough, in the following categories:
Sports Person of the Year – Adult, under 18 and under 15
Sports Team of the Year
Sports Person of the Year under 18
Junior Team of the Year – under 18s and under 15s
Sports Coach of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Lifetime Service Recognition
Wall of Fame Inductee
Nominations are sought from local clubs, schools, organisations and the general public in December with the winners selected by a judging panel.
Sports Awards 2020
Due to the pandemic, Sports Awards will not be held in March 2021.
Education Courses
Sports Education Courses
Our Sports Education programme for sports clubs, coaches and volunteers is delivered annually between the months of September and March. The programme includes courses which will help develop and enhance the skills and knowledge of personnel, enabling them to deliver their sport to the best possible standard.
Community Sports Network Courses
Working in partnership with the Community Sports Network, Sports Development are delighted to announce the release of three new online courses. Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) has partnered with the Council’s Sports Development department to help reduce anti-social behaviour through a new sports leadership programme that supports youth engagement.
A free programme of online sessions will be delivered by the Community Sports Network to coaches, young trainee coaches and leaders of sports organisations – and with a limited number of places available, they are being encouraged to sign up before the programmes are oversubscribed.
Course |
Date |
Time |
Target Audience |
To Register Contact |
Developing Resilient Young People |
Wed 17th Feb |
7pm-9pm |
Sports Coaches & Volunteers |
|
Level1, Sports Leadership Award |
6week course: Wed 24th Feb, Wed 3rd,10th,17th, 24th & 31st March |
7pm-9pm |
Club members & Volunteers (Minimum Age 14yrs) |
|
Using Sport As A Tool To Manage Challenging Behaviour |
Tues 30th March |
7pm-9pm |
Sports Coaches & Volunteers |
Relevant course posters can be downloaded from the Download section below.
Clubmark
All clubs should strive to attain their governing body's available accreditation.
In the absence of a governing body accreditation, clubs can attain Sport Northern Ireland's quality standard for sports clubs, Clubmark.
Sports Development can help and advise sports clubs achieve Clubmark accreditation.
Having Clubmark NI accreditation recognises your club as a safe, regarding and quality environment for participants of all ages to enjoy sport and stay involved throughout their lives.
Details of Clubmark NI can be found on the Sports NI website
If you would like more information about applying for Clubmark status please contact our team at: sportsdevelopment@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Sports Directory
The Sports Directory is a comprehensive online guide to the sporting activities and clubs operating in the Ards and North Down area.
It lists over 30 different sports and 135 sports clubs and organisations from across the borough and is an excellent point of reference for anyone wishing to join a local club.
Clubs affiliated to the Sports Forum can be included free of charge in the directory. A £10 fee applies to unaffiliated clubs and organisations.
Fill in the Registration Form to have your club included in the guide.
Go to the Sports Directory
Elite Athletes
Funding is available to elite athletes from the Ards and North Down borough area through Gold Card membership of the local leisure facilities and grants for Travel and Accommodation.
Gold Card applications are currently being accepted.
Due to Covid-19, grants for travel and accommodation are not currently available.
Resources
For your use, below are templates of some of the main documents your club will need.
More documents are available through the Sports NI website.
Code of Conduct for Children and Young People
Guidelines for including people with disabilities in your club