Oakleaf Lions - Sports For All Project

Aim

Our aim is to create sporting opportunities for children and young people with disabilities, residing in Dungiven and surrounding areas.

Who are we?

We are the Oakleaf Lions Special Olympics Club, based in Dungiven, County Derry. We proudly support children and young people with disabilities. Since launching in 2020, we’ve grown from a single Young Athlete Programme, into a vibrant, inclusive sports community. 

We now provide opportunities to participate in GAA for All and multi sports activities – with many competing at events across Ulster and even Croke Park! For example, 24 young people with a disability competed in their first athletics event in Summer 2024. 

At Oakleaf Lions, we believe every athlete deserves the chance to play, grow, and shine.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We’re raising money to provide a new inclusive sports programme starting this October, to provide new opportunities for children and young people with disabilities.

The project will benefit those living in Dungiven and surround rural areas - Dungiven is an area of high social need according to the NI Statistics and Research Agency.  

The children and young people who will benefit from our project will be impacted  by physical, cognitive, communication or complex disabilities. Through gaining funding to provide suitable equipment, coaches, venue hire, we are expanding the sports we offer including Equestrian, followed by 12 sessions of GAA sports, swimming, athletics, and multi sports. This funding will enable us to expand our inclusive sports offering, provide adaptive equipment and specialist coaching, and cover the costs of venue hire. Without donations, we cannot proceed with the project. 

We will also work to engage older people and the wider rural community through volunteering and inclusive outreach, while strengthening our training for coaches and volunteers—ensuring everyone involved receives the support they need to stay active, connected, and confident through sport.

How we’ll spend the money raised

This funding will be used to run a inclusive sports programme until 31st March for children and young people with disabilities across Dungiven and surrounding rural areas. All costs are programme-related and revenue-based (no capital works).

1.    Expand Sports in Club- Equestrian @ Crindle Stables- £2000

a. Specialist Coach- £20 per hour- 20 session x 20- £400

b. Hire of Venue & Horses- £20 per athletes- 10 sessions for 8 athletes- £1600

2.    GAA for All – 12 Sessions – £2,000

a.    Venue hire: £400 – Weekly indoor/outdoor GAA facilities at Dungiven Sports Centre or Owenbeg Centre of Excellence.

b.    Specialist coaching: £1,200 – Trained GAA for All coaches with disability inclusion experience- 4 coaches at £25 per hour

c.    Inclusive GAA equipment: £400 – 

Composite hurls- £20 each- 10x£20= £200

Lightweight footballs- £20 each- 10 x £20= £200

3.    Swimming – 12 Sessions – £2,000

a.    Pool hire: £800 – Roe Valley Leisure Centre.

b.    Coaching fees: £900 – Qualified swimming instructors- 3 coaches at £25 per hour

c.    Adaptive swimming gear: £300

Poolbuys- £15- 5x 15= £75

Swimfin Swim float £25

Swimming Vest- £20- 10 x £20= £200 

4.    Athletics – 12 Sessions – £2,000

a.    Track hire: £400 – Accessible athletics track or hall, i.e. Roe Valley Leisure Centre, Dungiven Sports Centre, Owenbeg Centre of Excellence.

b.    Coaching fees: £1,200 – Athletics coaches trained in Special Olympics or inclusive sport- 4 coaches at £25 per hour 

c.    Specialist equipment: £400 – Beanbags, low hurdles, mini javelins, floor markers.

Turbo Javellins- £75x4= £300

SoftBalls- £10- 10x £10= £100

5.    Multi-Sport Weekly Sessions – 12 Sessions – £2,000

a.    Venue hire: £500 – Indoor sports hall with accessibility features, Dungiven Sports Centre.

b.    Coaching fees: £1,200 – Coaches delivering sports like boccia, adapted basketball, and more- 4 coaches at £25 per hour 

c.    Equipment: £300 – Sensory sports equipment to support engagement and safety.

Scotter Baords- £40= 5 x£40= £200

Stepping Stone- 1pack x £100 

Every donation will directly support inclusive, high-quality sport for young people who need it most.

Community impact

Oakleaf Lions creates a safe, inclusive space where young people with disabilities can thrive through sport. Examples include building confidence, friendships, and life skills. But our impact goes beyond a sports hall, pitch or swimming pool. 

We bring together families, schools, volunteers, and local clubs, helping to reduce isolation and strengthen community ties, especially relevant given the rural nature of Dungiven and limited opportunities for young people with disabilities. Our programmes promote physical and mental wellbeing, offer meaningful volunteer opportunities, and foster a culture of inclusion across the wider community.

By engaging older people as volunteers and creating shared spaces for all ages and abilities, we’re building a more connected, supportive, and active community for everyone.

It’s important to explain the wider impact of your organisation for the whole community, who does it benefit and why? Perhaps your facilities are used for other purposes outside of sport too?

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