'Big Three' to share €9.9million grants

The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) are set for a cash windfall of €9.9million thanks to new sports grants announced earlier today by the government.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen TD, announced granted the money, which will support the work of the major field sports in developing their games around the country.

The GAA is to receive €3.29million, the FAI €3.5million and the IRFU €3.07million.

The funding is to be used to encourage and create more opportunities for young people to participate in field sports with a particular emphasis on working in areas of disadvantage.

Since 2001, the GAA, FAI and IRFU have put in place a series of programmes aimed at maintaining and building participation levels.

The 2009 allocations will support extensive participation programmes such as the GAA’s grassroots to national programme, hurling development programme and Dublin Gaelic Games programme.

The FAI’s initiatives that will benefit from the funding include a grassroots programme; player development and coach education initiatives.

In relation to the IRFU, the funding will support community rugby development, primary school participation programmes and a national talent programme.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister Martin Cullen TD said: ‘The GAA, FAI and IRFU are deeply committed to broadening the participation base of their sports.

‘Their programmes deliver quality opportunities in sport for every community in Ireland, in which there is a significant benefit derived through the growth of these sports.

‘The GAA, FAI and IRFU are at the very core of broadening and deepening interest and participation in sport and physical activity.

'This sustained investment in the 'big 3' field sports, together with the Sports Capital Programme, has helped transform these organisations. Each of the three sports is enjoying an era of great success, notably on the fields of play.'