18/11/2025
Olympic Success Delivers Local Legacy
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed that the success of local athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics is now delivering tangible benefits directly to grassroots sport across Northern Ireland.
The Minister was speaking after visiting two clubs benefiting from the recently established funds: Lisburn Cricket Club and Bangor Swimming Club.
Minister Lyons set up both the Olympic Legacy Fund and the Olympic Medallist Fund to ensure a lasting impact from the Paris successes, stating the funding will help sports clubs grow stronger, modernise facilities, and bring communities together.
"The achievements of our medal winners, along with all those Olympians and Paralympians who competed in Paris, will be remembered for many years. I set up both the Olympic Legacy Fund and the Olympic Medallist Fund because I wanted to build on those successes and ensure a lasting legacy for local sport," the Minister said.
Clubs directly benefiting include:
• Bangor Swimming Club: The club is benefitting from a £20,000 award donated by local swimmer and Olympic gold medallist Jack McMillan. The Minister visited the Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex to see the new equipment the club has purchased, which will directly benefit the next generation of swimmers. McMillan, who trained at the club from 2009 to 2021, said the donation was a "full circle moment" to help young athletes access the best gear.
• Lisburn Cricket Club: The club's application for the next stage of the Olympic Legacy Fund was approved for a facilities upgrade. Chairman Jamie Mulholland confirmed the funding will "help fantastically to refurbish our clubhouse and premises." The club must now raise a crowdfunded contribution towards the total investment, and Minister Lyons encouraged the public to contribute to their cause.
Sport Northern Ireland is administering both funds, helping local organisations improve facilities and increase opportunities for participation in sport.
To find out more about Lisburn Cricket Club's project and contribute to the club's Crowdfunder initiative, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/lisburn-pavillion-redevelopment
To contribute to the other Crowdfunder projects under the Olympic Legacy Fund, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/sport-ni-olympic-legacy
The Minister was speaking after visiting two clubs benefiting from the recently established funds: Lisburn Cricket Club and Bangor Swimming Club.
Minister Lyons set up both the Olympic Legacy Fund and the Olympic Medallist Fund to ensure a lasting impact from the Paris successes, stating the funding will help sports clubs grow stronger, modernise facilities, and bring communities together.
"The achievements of our medal winners, along with all those Olympians and Paralympians who competed in Paris, will be remembered for many years. I set up both the Olympic Legacy Fund and the Olympic Medallist Fund because I wanted to build on those successes and ensure a lasting legacy for local sport," the Minister said.
Clubs directly benefiting include:
• Lisburn Cricket Club: The club's application for the next stage of the Olympic Legacy Fund was approved for a facilities upgrade. Chairman Jamie Mulholland confirmed the funding will "help fantastically to refurbish our clubhouse and premises." The club must now raise a crowdfunded contribution towards the total investment, and Minister Lyons encouraged the public to contribute to their cause.
Sport Northern Ireland is administering both funds, helping local organisations improve facilities and increase opportunities for participation in sport.
To find out more about Lisburn Cricket Club's project and contribute to the club's Crowdfunder initiative, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/lisburn-pavillion-redevelopment
To contribute to the other Crowdfunder projects under the Olympic Legacy Fund, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/sport-ni-olympic-legacy
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