Sports Minister Paul Givan pictured with 2 time world champion Carl Frampton to announce a funding package of up to £200,000 to help a number of amateur boxing clubs carry out capital works to improve their premises.
Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

SPORTS Minister Paul Givan MLA today announced a funding package of up to £200,000 to help a number of amateur boxing clubs carry out capital works to improve their premises.  

This funding will help three Belfast clubs Cairn Lodge ABC, City of Belfast ABC, Midland ABC and one Carrickfergus club, Castle ABC.

This will help to develop their facilities in a bid to increase membership in their clubs, in particular amongst girls and women, who are currently under-represented in the sport.  Midland ABC is Carl Frampton’s home club.

Minister Givan said: “This funding will bring much needed improvements to boxing clubs in areas where sport can play a significant role within the local communities.  Without improvements to facilities, including for boxing and this is a first step in that direction.”

This funding will bring much needed improvements to boxing clubs in areas where sport can play a significant role within the local communities.  Without improvements to these facilities, there could be a negative impact on both health and well being for the young people who attend the clubs and put their communities at a disadvantage.

“One of my Department’s priorities is to increase participation in sport and this funding has the potential to do this along with bringing many other benefits to the communities in the areas served by these four boxing clubs.

“Sport NI has already commenced engagement with the clubs to progress these improvements.

“I intend to secure more funding to improve sporting including for boxing and this is a first step in that direction,” added the DUP MLA.