Local sports clubs in County Derry benefit from Fibrus funding injection

PICTURED ABOVE: (L-R) Chris Shields, Lucy Best, Ben McCarroll, Sean McCartan, Thomas O’Dowd, Peter McLernon, Thomas Skelly, Mathew Williamson, Callum Purdy, James Corrie, David Armstrong, JK Millar, Jill Coulter-Sloan MBE (Head Coach), Caolan McConville, Dáire McAlinden and Jack Harrison (coach).

Full Fibre broadband provider, Fibrus, has today announced the 50 recipients of its Play it Forward Fund, of which three are grassroots sports clubs and school associations based in Derry. 

Offering grants of up to £1000, the fund supports children’s sports clubs in rural communities by helping to buy equipment, kits or improve facilities. Now in its third year, Fibrus’ Play it Forward Fund has contributed £150,000 to sports clubs across Northern Ireland and Cumbria, England since 2023, empowering children to switch off and get involved in their community.

The fund celebrates a wide range of sports from football to roller hockey, encouraging children to get active no matter what they are interested in. This year, over 6,000 children across Northern Ireland and Cumbria from 50 different local sports clubs will benefit from the Play it Forward Fund. At its heart, the fund aims to reach beyond sports and promote movement, health and wellbeing across rural communities.

Ski Ability NI, a Craigavon-based charity, who offer all levels ski instruction for children with additional needs has received a grant of £1,000. The Play it Forward funding will directly benefit 50 members of the club, aged between 5-18, and help train a talented cohort of young sportspeople who have previously competed both nationally and internationally, promoting access for all in sport.

Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said: “I’m thrilled Fibrus’ Play it Forward Fund has continued into its third year. The fund is just one part of Fibrus’ continuing commitment to invest in rural communities, and it’s been great to see the positive impact it has made on clubs across the region.

“We have been so encouraged to see the variety of amazing applicants across Northern Ireland this year, including Ski Ability NI, who train all levels from beginners to Olympic-level athletes. They are a cornerstone of their community and we are pleased to support them and so many others through this year’s fund.”

Phillip Shields, Secretary of Ski Ability NI said: “As we enter our busy training months, we are delighted to receive funding from Fibrus’ Play it Forward fund.

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"The money we have received will enable us to hire the dry ski slope at Craigavon and continue offering tailored skiing instruction for our 50 members and hopefully many more young people who want to get involved in skiing.

"This Play it Forward funding is invaluable, helping us to continue advancing accessibility to the amateur sport in Northern Ireland.” 

To find out more, visit the Fibrus Play It Forward Fund.