Sport Northern Ireland: Creating Opportunities has provided £5,000 of match funding
ABCA: New Sports & New Opportunities in Aughnacloy
Aughnacloy, Mid Ulster, United Kingdom
Aim
We're crowdfunding to create exciting new sporting opportunities for teenagers in rural Aughnacloy over 14 weeks.
Who are we?
The Aghaloo Community Centre is the home of Aghaloo & Blackwater Community Association (ABCA). Our charity is representative of all the various residents in the rural border Aughnacloy area.
The main objectives of ABCA is to promote and develop Aughnacloy and the district as a thriving Rural Centre both economically and socially. As well as the promotion of the benefit of the inhabitants of the Aughnacloy Area and its environs of the wider parish and border regions without distinction of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability/ability, race, ethnic origin, political, religious or other opinion.
ABCA links with statutory and local authorities, voluntary organisations and the wider community in a common effort to advance education and to provide provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure with the objective of improving the conditions of life for those in rural Aughnacloy here on the border with Monaghan.
ABCA manage the local Community Centre and organise & deliver daily activities for wider community benefit in partnership with Aughnacloy Development Association. Such as community capacity building programmes, youth and elderly programmes, leisure programmes, educational initiatives and any other charitable purpose as required to the betterment of those living within our catchment.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We’re crowdfunding to create new opportunities in different sports for teenagers in Aughnacloy this summer and autumn, with a number of projects specifically targeting teenage girls.
With your support, this Crowdfunder will help us engage more young people in new positive, healthy activities over the coming months.
We’re launching an exciting and innovative new sports programme across a wide range of new sports over 14 weeks that 40+ teenagers in Aughnacloy dont have any experience or opportunities to explore before, including:
- A new basketball programme,
- A new badminton programme,
- A new girls only indoor football programme,
- A new boys only hockey programme
- A new mixed gymnastics,
- A new girls only martial arts,
- A new mixed dance programme.
All these are new initiatives we've never done before. The programme is designed to encourage teenagers to step away from electronic devices, get out of the house, and get active.
Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where teenagers of all abilities can try new sports, build confidence, and make new friendships.
This crowdfunding effort, supported by Sport Northern Ireland through their Creating Opportunities Programme, will help young people in our community develop a love for sport and exercise, supporting them to stay active, healthy, and connected.
Every donation counts—and thanks to Sport Northern Ireland, every contribution will be matched, doubling your impact.
Your support will make a real difference in the lives of young people here. Together, we can build a vibrant and exciting sports programme that empowers teenagers and creates lasting opportunities.
Creating Opportunities Sport NI
Our project aligns with Sport Northern Ireland's Creating Opportunities Programme by delivering a new and innovative participation programme that removes barriers and creates meaningful sporting opportunities for rural teenagers aged 11 to 18 in rural Aughnacloy.
Rather than expanding existing activities, we will introduce 7 new sports and several specifically for girls, that many local young people have never had the opportunity to experience, including basketball, badminton, hockey, gymnastics, martial arts, dance and indoor football. This will encourage inactive teenagers to become more physically active, develop confidence and discover sports they may continue beyond the project.
The programme is inclusive, welcoming participants of all abilities in a safe and supportive environment that promotes friendship, wellbeing and positive lifestyles. By creating new opportunities in an underserved rural community, the project directly supports the programme's aim of levelling the playing field, increasing participation in sport and physical activity, and delivering innovative, additional activities that engage young people who are currently underrepresented in sport.
What's Different This Year
Unlike our previous Crowdfunder, which delivered a broad 12 week multi sport and youth leadership programme, this project introduces a completely new range of sporting opportunities specifically for teenagers aged 11 to 18, and several elements specifically for girls.
Rather than focusing on traditional sports already available locally, we will provide access to activities such as badminton, hockey, gymnastics, martial arts, dance and indoor basketball that currently have little or no regular provision in Aughnacloy.
The programme has been designed in response to feedback from local young people who wanted opportunities to experience different sports before deciding which activities they enjoy. It is also longer, running over 14 weeks, and focuses solely on increasing participation through specialist coaching, venue hire and sport specific equipment. This represents a new and additional project that builds on the success of last year's programme while creating fresh opportunities for teenagers to become active, develop confidence and discover sports they can continue participating in beyond the life of the project.
How we’ll spend the money raised
All funds raised will go towards the following:
- 2 Multi Sport coaches × 4 hours/week × 14 weeks = 112 hours total @ £30/hour= £3,360
- Hall Hire 56 hours @ £45/hour= £2,520
- Project specific equipment- 15 x Basketballs £300; 22 badminton rackets/nets/shuttles £550; 26 hockey sticks/balls £520; gymnastics mats £222.50; martial arts pads/gloves £222.50
Community impact
Aughnacloy Community Association exists to improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of people of all ages across our rural community. While sport and physical activity are central to our work, our facilities are a shared community asset used throughout the year by local residents, schools, youth groups, voluntary organisations and community partners. We provide an inclusive, welcoming environment where people can meet, learn new skills, volunteer and build lasting social connections.
Our activities benefit children, young people, families, adults and older people by reducing social isolation, improving physical and mental wellbeing, and creating positive opportunities for community participation. We regularly support community events, educational workshops, health initiatives and recreational activities that bring people together regardless of background or ability.
This project will have benefits far beyond the 14 week delivery period. By introducing teenagers to a range of new sports, we will increase confidence, encourage lifelong participation in physical activity and strengthen links between young people and our community facilities. The equipment purchased will remain available for future programmes, allowing us to continue delivering affordable activities for years to come. Overall, the project will strengthen community cohesion, increase use of our facilities, create new volunteering opportunities and provide a lasting legacy that benefits the wider Aughnacloy community.
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 26th August 2026 at 3:59pm