Sport Northern Ireland

Sport Northern Ireland logo

Sport Northern Ireland is the leading public body for the development of sport in Northern Ireland. It is responsible for the promotion and development of sport and physical recreation in the region. Sport Northern Ireland works to increase participation in sports, improve sporting performance, and support the development of sports facilities.

History

Sport Northern Ireland was established in 1973 as the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. It was created to oversee the development of sport and physical recreation in Northern Ireland. In 2008, the organization was rebranded as Sport Northern Ireland to better reflect its role and mission.

Functions

Sport Northern Ireland has several key functions:

• **Funding**: It provides financial support to sports organizations, clubs, and athletes through various grant programs.
• **Development**: It offers training and development programs for coaches, officials, and volunteers.
• **Facilities**: It supports the development and improvement of sports facilities across Northern Ireland.
• **Policy**: It advises the Department for Communities (Northern Ireland) on sports policy and strategy.
• **Promotion**: It promotes the benefits of sport and physical activity to the public.

Programs and Initiatives

Sport Northern Ireland runs a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at increasing participation in sports and improving performance. Some of these include:

• **Active Clubs**: A program designed to increase the number of people participating in sports clubs.
• **Performance Focus**: A program aimed at supporting high-performance athletes and teams.
• **Every Body Active 2020**: An initiative to encourage more people to be active, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

Governance

Sport Northern Ireland is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Minister for Communities (Northern Ireland). The board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization and ensuring it meets its objectives.

Partnerships

Sport Northern Ireland works in partnership with a range of organizations, including:

• National Governing Bodies of Sport
• Local Authorities in Northern Ireland
• Schools and Educational Institutions
• Community and Voluntary Organizations

Impact

Sport Northern Ireland has had a significant impact on the development of sport in Northern Ireland. It has helped to increase participation rates, improve the performance of athletes, and enhance the quality of sports facilities.

See also

• Sport in Northern Ireland
• Sport England
• Sport Scotland
• Sport Wales
• UK Sport