Overview
Westmeath Sports Partnership is delighted to confirm that it is now accepting applications for its Volunteer Support Programme 2026.
The Programme offers up to €1,000 to 28 sports clubs, community organisations or groups to upskill, educate or retrain new and existing volunteers across a wide variety of disciplines.
The Volunteer Support Programme aims to increase the number of people playing a leadership role in developing sports and physical activity in their communities.
This will be done through the delivery of training and education courses to support volunteers in their development as community leaders/coaches of sport and physical activity.
Clubs can receive up to €1,000 each towards the training and education costs of their Club Volunteers.
Sports clubs in Westmeath are given the opportunity to set out the training and education courses they propose to implement and outline the benefits this will bring to their club and their volunteers as part of a special funding process.
Sports clubs, and organisations/community groups who provide physical activity in their communities can apply. Priority will be given to those applicants working within disadvantaged areas (Mullingar and Athlone RAPID Area) and or working with people with a disability.
Key dates
Applications Now Open!
Applications closing date: Friday 28th August
Grant announcement: Friday 18th September
Grants issued: September / October
Apply Now!
Apply for the Vounteer Support Programme 2026 by clicking on the button below and filling in the form.
Applications
Westmeath Sports Partnership is calling on Sports Clubs in Westmeath to make applications under our Volunteer Support Programme.
Through a competitive online application process, sports clubs in Westmeath will be given the opportunity to set out the training and education courses they propose to implement and outline the benefits this will bring to their club and their volunteers.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be registered to an NGB & based in Westmeath.
- Operate as a “not for profit”.
- Demonstrate why the additional training and education is required
- Demonstrate how additional training and education would lead to continued participation in sport and physical activity.
Ineligible applications include:
- Applications from individuals
- National/Regional/County Governing Bodies/ Statutory agencies
- For profit groups/commercial organisations
- Private facility owners
- Clubs based outside of County Westmeath
- Clubs not affiliated with a National Governing Body
- Applications from community organisations/ schools not linked with a club
Courses
Eligible Courses:
- Sports specific Coach Education (e.g. Athletics, Basketball, Gaelic, Soccer).
- Committee and / or Volunteer education, Administration & management courses.
- Child Protection; First Aid;
- Accredited courses by Sport Ireland Coaching or a National Governing Body of Sport.
Ineligible Courses:
- Courses outside Ireland.
- Sport related courses delivered by bodies not recognized under the National Coaching Development Programme or by the National Governing Bodies of Sport.
- Generic sports courses delivered by a non-recognized agency.
- Day to day running costs (e.g insurance, transport)
- Courses not directly related to applicant club/ organization e.g. team building.
Some Sample courses:
- GYMStart – Gymnastics Ireland
- Physical Literacy – Sport Ireland Coaching
- Coaching Children Workshop – Sport Ireland Coaching
- Disability-Inclusion-Training – Active Disability Ireland
- Child Protection Workshops – Sport Ireland and Local Sports Partnership
- First Aid / AED – Accredited provider
- Club Administration / Social Media / Accounts/ Committee skills etc – Accredited provider / 3rd Level College
Note: The costs of course and workshop delivery should be confirmed with each provider.
Responsibility for course and workshop delivery lies with each applicant.
Evaluation
- Priority will be given to applications based in RAPID Areas.
- Applications with emphasis on participation of WSP target groups will be favoured: Older Adults; Women; Teenage Girls; Disadvantaged Communities; People with Disabilities.
- Sustainability and numbers participating.
- Ability to generate own funds to support course delivery.
Please note: There is no guarantee of funding of proposals which achieve the minimum eligibility criteria. The fund is limited, and eligible applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis against the criteria being applied. The decision of the grant subcommittee is final.
Terms and Conditions
Successful applicants will be required to submit an expenditure report with supporting receipts within 10 months of receiving their grant. Failure to submit this report in a timely manner will omit the applicant from future funding opportunities.
Clubs/Groups with juvenile members must operate under the basis of best practice for children in sport : a member of the club must have previously attended a Child Welfare & Protection Awareness course (new clubs must commit to attending training where appropriate)
Groups must be affiliated to Westmeath Public Participation Network (WPPN).
A Tax Number or Charity Number is required for all grants.
If successful, it is a requirement of all grant funding that Westmeath Sports Partnership is acknowledged as a source of funding in any publications, leaflets, signage, online etc.
Applications will not be accepted after the closing date.
Due consideration will be given to ensuring an equitable allocation of funds throughout the county.
All questions from the application form are listed below.
- Name of Sport Club, Community Group or Organisation applying
- Applicant address
- Contact person
- Mobile number
- Do you work with communities in a disadvantaged area ( Mullingar or Athlone RAPID Areas )
- Do you work with people with a disability
- Details of proposed courses/workshops
- Please proved a full breakdown of costs for the proposed courses/workshops
- How much of your own Clubs/Groups/Orgs funds are you contributing towards this training
- Describe how these courses/workshops will increase the number of people of all ages playing a leadership role in developing sports and physical activity in your community
- How many people will receive this training
- When do you propose to commence this training
- Declaration
Apply Now!
Apply for the Vounteer Support Programme 2026 by clicking on the button below and filling in the form.