As part of Cricket Ireland’s Facilities Strategy 2024-2027, Cricket Ireland is looking to support cricket clubs in the Republic of Ireland to access all available current funding available through Government Grant programmes.
Community Sport Facilities Fund
The Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme ) is the primary vehicle for government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
Its objectives are to:
- assist voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport, local authorities and Education and Training Boards and schools to develop high quality, accessible, safe, well-designed, sustainable facilities in appropriate locations and to provide appropriate equipment to help maximise participation in sport and physical recreation
- prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups (such as people with disabilities) in the provision of sports facilities
- encourage the sharing of sports facilities by clubs, community organisations and national governing bodies of sport
| Key Dates Opening Date for Registration is Monday 28th September 2026 Opening Date for Applications is Monday 19th October 2026 Closing Date for Registrations is Friday 26th February 2027 |
How Cricket Ireland can support your club
In order to provide additional assistance to Clubs, Cricket Ireland is planning to host a series of webinars shortly to provide support and guidance to clubs as they prepare their Community Sports Facilities Fund applications.
The webinars will help guide prospective applicants on the process and their applications. Dates for these webinars will be made available soon.
| Key points for applicants Maximum grants for local projects increased from €150,000 to €200,000. Maximum grants for regional projects increased from €300,000 to €500,000. Clubs that do not own their own facility, equipment only grants are also available for up to €70,000 All grants issued to successful clubs are awarded at a rate of 95%. New rules on providing similar access to facilities for men and women. |
For more information For more information on the Capital Sports Facilities Fund, the webinar series or your club’s application, contact Cricket Ireland via development@cricketireland.ie
Please note the following advice from the Irish Government:
The new SPRAOI grant management system for the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) will go live on Monday, 28 September 2026. Sports clubs and organisations not previously registered with the Department will be able to register on the new system from Monday, ahead of the opening of the 2026 funding application window on 19 October. The application window will remain open until Friday, 26 February 2027.
Clubs already registered on the previous OSCAR system will have their registrations automatically transferred to SPRAOI, but they should be encouraged to check that their information is accurate and up to date.
The full 2026 Information Guide and Terms and Conditions are not due until the week commencing 12 October. Clubs can therefore begin substantial preparation now, but should not rely on the 2023 rules where the new guide may change them.
