Department for Communities Minister, Paul Givan MLA, along with Ulster Rugby players Kyle McCall, Sam Windsor and John Donnan, attended Ballynahinch RFC on Wednesday evening to see how the club and its members have benefited from the Department's 'Promoting Equality, Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion through Sport' programme.
The key objective of the programme is to increase the number of people being physically active, while also using sport to address social issues.
Ballynahinch RFC has been provided with a range of indoor and outdoor fitness equipment, which cost in the region of £20,000. This is part of Ulster Rugby's community gym initiative, which has seen the refurbishment of 20 gyms across the Province.
Ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup being hosted in Belfast next August, the club also received investment to support female rugby development at youth level. Indeed, female rugby in Ulster has flourished since the start of the programme in March 2013.
Speaking at the official opening Minister for Communities Paul Givan said: “I am delighted that the funding provided by my Department under the Promoting Equality, Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion Programme has resulted in these excellent facilities at Ballynahinch Rugby Football Club.
“The Community Gym will add a new dynamic to the Club and also creates opportunities for people from the local community to participate in a range of health and fitness programmes.”
Ulster Rugby’s Fitness Education Manager, Chris Shields added: "It is very rewarding for us to be able to contribute to this fantastic project. One of our key organisational goals is to improve the health and wellbeing of all involved in rugby, both on and off the pitch, and I believe the installation of gym equipment at sites such as this is a great way to achieve that.”
“Ulster Rugby would like to thank the Department for Communities for their continued support in helping to expand rugby in both traditional and non-traditional areas.”
The key objective of the programme is to increase the number of people being physically active, while also using sport to address social issues.
Ballynahinch RFC has been provided with a range of indoor and outdoor fitness equipment, which cost in the region of £20,000. This is part of Ulster Rugby's community gym initiative, which has seen the refurbishment of 20 gyms across the Province.
Ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup being hosted in Belfast next August, the club also received investment to support female rugby development at youth level. Indeed, female rugby in Ulster has flourished since the start of the programme in March 2013.
Speaking at the official opening Minister for Communities Paul Givan said: “I am delighted that the funding provided by my Department under the Promoting Equality, Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion Programme has resulted in these excellent facilities at Ballynahinch Rugby Football Club.
“The Community Gym will add a new dynamic to the Club and also creates opportunities for people from the local community to participate in a range of health and fitness programmes.”
Ulster Rugby’s Fitness Education Manager, Chris Shields added: "It is very rewarding for us to be able to contribute to this fantastic project. One of our key organisational goals is to improve the health and wellbeing of all involved in rugby, both on and off the pitch, and I believe the installation of gym equipment at sites such as this is a great way to achieve that.”
“Ulster Rugby would like to thank the Department for Communities for their continued support in helping to expand rugby in both traditional and non-traditional areas.”