Nominations are now OPEN for the Senior Sports Awards 2023 sponsored by Ulster Carpets. 

Organised by the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum in association with the Council, the annual awards recognise the wealth of sporting talent in the borough and celebrate the achievements of those who have excelled in their chosen sport, as well as recognising the invaluable contribution from our coaches and volunteers.

Nominations are sought in the eight categories of:

• Sports Person / Team with a Disability
• Sportswoman of the Year
• Sportsman of the Year
• Senior Team of the Year
• Senior Coach of the Year
• Service to Sport
• Volunteer 
• Club of the Year

REMINDER - Applications close on Friday 25th November

Community groups within the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area can now receive up to £1000 for a project that they think will have a positive impact on their community thanks to the Tak£500+ Participatory Budget Fund.

Both constituted groups and non-constituted groups can apply for funding to help bring an idea to life. All ideas must be based around the ‘Take 5 Ways of Wellbeing’, which are five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing on a daily basis.

For further information please contact Laura O'Hagan at Laural.OHagan@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk 

REMINDER - Applications now OPEN

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is offering financial assistance to eligible groups, in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector for the period 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024 for revenue grants. 

Applications are open and will close at 12 noon on Friday 9th December.

Should you require assistance from Sport Development with your application, this should be requested with Eimear Haddock at Eimear.Haddock@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk at least one week before the closing date. 

The Dormant Accounts Fund NI supports the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Northern Ireland to be more resilient and prepared for the future by funding activity that increases capacity and sustainability. 

Groups can apply for up to £100,000 for a project lasting between one to three years to build organisations' resilience and sustainability for the long term.

Applications for Phase One will close on Friday 3rd March 2023.

Expressions of interest for regular time slots at our Indoor Leisure facitiies for sports clubs are now open. Please click below for information on available time slots at each facility as well as details on the application process and guidance notes.

Application forms for all facilities must be emailed to sllcbookings@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk before 4.00pm on Wednesday 30 November 2022

The Autism and Sports Coaching Couse is a 3 hour course designed to give people a basic understanding of Autism and the potential challenges for inclusion in sport. Participants will learn through practical examples ways to include people with Autism in their sessions and look at potential strategies and support for keeping people with Autism engaged in sport and active recreation.

Date: Wednesday 30th November
Time: 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Format: Gilford Community Centre

This workshop is FREE to attend. There are currently very limited spaces remaining. 

For further information please contact Laura O'Hagan at laural.ohagan@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk 

The new ABC Council Warm Spaces Scheme is designed to help local community groups deliver eligible programmes across a network of 18 council community centres, town halls and recreation centres – free of charge. Offering a safe, secure, and warm environment, the just-launched network will enable community groups to save on costs such as heating, electric and room hire charges.

Open to local constituted community groups that are delivering programmes or projects aimed at supporting borough residents through the cost of living crisis, the new initiative will allow eligible organisations to make up to five bookings across the warm spaces network – subject to availability.

For more information on the Warm Spaces Scheme, including eligibility and how to apply, please see below link or contact ccbookings@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council are encouraging all schools across the Borough to get involved with the Daily Mile Santa Run. Organised by the Daily Mile Network NI in partnership with Daily Mile Foundation, the event will see children from schools across Northern Ireland doing their festive Daily Mile on Friday 2nd December 2022 to help raise awareness of children's mental health and wellbeing. 

For some added motivation to get involved in this free, fun, and festive event, ABC Council is giving all participating schools the chance to win a visit from Tokyo 2020 Olympian, Russell White. The Banbridge triathlete will meet the winning class and will share his personal experiences in sport as well as run a Daily Mile with all the children.

To win, please follow these steps:

• Be an early years, primary or secondary school based in the borough of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
• Register for ‘The Daily Mile Santa Run’ taking place on Friday 2 December 2022 at the link below
• Take a picture of your class participating in ‘The Daily Mile Santa Run’ and send to sportsdevelopment@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk by 4pm on Wednesday 7 December 2022.