Sports Capital Grants
Cllr Maria Dollard has warmly welcomed funding for two sports projects close to her heart. This morning Minister Catherine Martin has announced funding for Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club totalling €64,795.
“Through Kilkenny Special Olympics Club’s involvement with Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club, we have found the club to be a warm, welcoming and inclusive place for families and athletes alike. Every summer for some years now KACC has welcomed us. Roger McClure of KACC initiated the connection and every year so many fab volunteers have given our athletes an opportunity to try a sport they might otherwise not have a chance to try. Some of our athletes have even competed in Special Olympics events as a result of that opportunity. I’m delighted to see them receive funding of €21,458 from my colleague Minister Catherine Martin through the sports capital grant.
Minister Martin has made inclusion a key strand in sport since taking over the role of Minister for Sport insisting that gender balance at Board of Director’s level and inclusion on the field of play, should be a theme running through sport and participation in sport, in Ireland. I’m delighted to see Kilkenny County Council have received €43,337 for their Community & Inclusive Cycling Initiative. More and more people are taking up cycling and continuing to cycle well into their 70’s and 80’s. With all kinds of choices for cycling now, people with a range of disabilities can also take up cycling as a mode of transport and a way to stay healthy at any age. This money will be well spent and Kilkenny County Council Cycling Officer is very much in tune with the needs of many people who may not otherwise consider cycling but for the availability of adapted or electric bikes and trikes. With the new cycle lanes on High St and more to come, I am happy we are shaping our city to share the space with people of every ability and age, safely and equitably.”
