Grow South Antrim

It's All Kicking Off At The Soccer Shed

Ballyclare business and GROW project, the Soccer Shed was delighted to welcome representatives from the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and the Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland, to see at first hand how funding from the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 has helped them set up.

Project promoters, Stephen Herron and Colin Todd were awarded funding of £50,000 to set up two indoor third generation (3g) turf pitches which are suitable for 7-a-side football and other sports, including rugby and hockey.  The 3g surface allows players to train in the footwear they use when playing the sport e.g. football boots, which cannot be used on sand or water-based Astroturf.  This provides a safe and dry environment for sports training and development and a great facility for use by clubs, schools, youth clubs and other groups.  The indoor facility has been particularly popular due to the cold weather meaning frozen pitches for a lot of sports teams.

GROW has now awarded over £2.25million to more than 50 projects across the Boroughs of Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey, ranging from supporting farmers who have diversified to helping new businesses, increasing tourism in our rural areas and developing rural villages. 

Cllr Vera McWilliam, Chair of the GROW Local Action Group, congratulated the Soccer Shed on seeing the gap in the market and going for it, "Despite the challenging economic times, we have been impressed in the innovative approach of applicants like Colin and Stephen.   Business-owners and farmers are seizing the opportunity to develop new products and services, diversifying their businesses and becoming more efficient and effective in the techniques they use.  It is encouraging to see that in the tough climate, they are looking at their customers' needs and adapting to suit the changing market.  We would encourage anyone interested in investing in their business or diversifying to get in touch with GROW to find out what support is available to assist them in advancing their idea."

Speaking at the opening today, Sports Minister Nelson McCausland said: "The Executive's Strategy for Sport, Sport Matters, sets out a vision for the next 10 years of increased participation, improved performance levels and an increase in places for sport. It is a cross Departmental strategy highlighting the need for major investment. This project, funded from EU Funds through GROW under the Rural Development Programme, demonstrates what can be achieved. Facilities such as this encourage participation in sport, improve the fitness of our children and provide a sports area which can be used by the entire community. 

The Minister continued: "I congratulate the project promoters of the 'Soccer Shed' for providing facilities which will inspire our young people to take up and continue in sport.  I wish them every success for the future."

Stephen Herron & Colin Todd welcome representatives from GROW South Antrim and Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland, to the Soccer Shed.  L-R Sara Thompson & Emma Stubbs, GROW, Stephen Herron, Soccer Shed, Paul Girvan, GROW LAG Member, Nelson McCausland, Sports Minister, Sharon Parkes, GROW LAG Member, Brian Duffin, GROW LAG Vice-Chair, Colin Todd, Soccer Shed.

Date Posted: 13 Dec 2010