Offaly Sports Partnership, this week launched the 2026 Club Development Grant Scheme for sports clubs / organisations based in Offaly.
 
This club development grant scheme is designed to: -

1. assist the start up of new clubs / organisations (e.g. affiliation, insurance, year 1 costs, etc.)
2. increase or retain the participation of women and girls in sport
3. increase the participation of underrepresented groups in sport
4. support interventions that aim to increase or sustain club membership

Please note, clubs / organisations applying for this scheme should: -

• be based in Offaly
• be primarily concerned with the promotion of a sport(s) or physical activity. Please note, preference will be given to clubs who are affiliates of or be in the process of affiliating to a National Governing Body of Sport recognised by Sport Ireland
• be run by a democratically elected committee of its members
• operate on a not for profit basis
• be open for public membership; and non-discriminatory in accepting new members
• have appropriate insurance in place to allow for the delivery of all their activities
• adhere to best practice guidelines in the area of children in sport (if working with children). Best practice guidelines include: -

1. having a child safeguarding statement in situ
2. having a club welfare officer and designated liaison person in situ
3. Garda vetting of coaches / volunteers that work with underage teams and individuals
4. ensuring that coaches and volunteers who work with underage individuals / teams have undergone Safeguarding 1 (child protection) training

Furthermore: -

• only one application can be submitted per club / organisation; and the application must adhere to a minimum of one of the four objectives of the grant scheme
• funding applications must be submitted by 5pm on Friday, 20th March 2026 via the application form link as noted here, https://submit.link/4In  
• the maximum level of grant assistance a club / organisation can apply for is €750; however, from past experience, the average award will likely be in the region of €500

For a copy of the terms and conditions of the grant scheme, check out the documents below.