Bursaries for Sport and Leisure Coaches and Officials (UK)

Deadline: 31-Oct-2026

The Coaches and Officials Bursary Scheme supports residents of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough who are pursuing accredited sports coaching or officiating qualifications. Eligible applicants can receive up to £250 toward approved course costs if their sport is recognised by Sport NI, an Irish governing body, or a UK governing body. Coaches and Officials Bursary Scheme The Coaches and Officials Bursary Scheme is designed to help sports coaches and officials in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough gain recognised qualifications and improve their skills. The scheme aims to strengthen the quality, capacity, and development of local sports clubs by helping individuals access accredited coaching and officiating courses. Eligible applicants can receive financial support of up to £250 toward the cost of an accredited coaching or officiating qualification. Why the Coaches and Officials Bursary Matters Qualified coaches and officials play an important role in developing safe, well-organised, and competitive sports environments. By helping individuals gain accredited qualifications, the bursary can contribute to: - Improving coaching standards. - Increasing the number of qualified coaches and officials. - Strengthening local sports clubs. - Supporting athlete and player development. - Increasing the capacity of clubs to deliver organised sporting activities. - Supporting participation in sport at local, regional, national, and elite levels. The scheme therefore provides targeted financial assistance for individuals whose qualifications can contribute to the wider sporting community in the Borough. How Much Funding Is Available? Successful applicants can receive up to £250. The funding is intended specifically to help cover the cost of accredited coaching and officiating courses. The maximum bursary should not be interpreted as an automatic payment of £250. The amount awarded will depend on the eligible course costs and the scheme’s assessment requirements. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet the scheme’s eligibility conditions.

An eligible applicant must:

- Be a resident of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough. - Be actively coaching or officiating for a sports club within the Borough. - Be pursuing an accredited coaching or officiating qualification. - Participate in a sport recognised by Sport NI, an Irish governing body, or a UK governing body. - Coach or officiate at an eligible level, including local, regional, national, or international elite level. - Provide a letter of support from the relevant club or national governing body. Applicants should ensure that all eligibility requirements are satisfied before submitting an application. Which Sports Are Eligible? The applicant’s sport must be recognised by one of the relevant sporting authorities.

Eligible sports must be recognised by:

- Sport NI. - An Irish Governing Body. - A UK Governing Body. This requirement ensures that bursary funding supports recognised sporting disciplines and accredited coaching or officiating pathways. What Can the Bursary Fund? The bursary is intended to support the direct cost of eligible accredited coaching and officiating courses.

Potential eligible expenditure includes:

- Accredited coaching qualification costs. - Accredited officiating qualification costs. - Course fees associated with recognised qualification pathways. Applicants should confirm that their specific course qualifies before applying. What Costs Are Not Covered? The bursary cannot be used to cover several types of additional expenses.

Ineligible costs include:

- Travel expenses. - Accommodation. - Club membership fees. - Insurance. - Sports equipment. - Costs already funded by another source. Applicants should not include these expenses in their bursary request. Important Rule on Retrospective Applications The scheme does not accept retrospective applications. This means applicants should apply in accordance with the scheme requirements before incurring costs that they expect the bursary to support. Applications received after the relevant deadline will also not be considered. Applicants should therefore check the current application deadline and ensure that their application is submitted on time. How to Apply for the Coaches and Officials Bursary Applicants can prepare their application by following these steps:

- Confirm residency: Make sure you are a resident of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough.

- Confirm your sporting role: Ensure you are actively coaching or officiating for a club within the Borough.

- Check sport recognition: Confirm that your sport is recognised by Sport NI, an Irish governing body, or a UK governing body.

- Identify the qualification: Select the accredited coaching or officiating course you intend to undertake.

- Check eligible costs: Confirm that the requested funding relates to course costs rather than travel, accommodation, equipment, insurance, or membership.

- Obtain a support letter: Request a letter of support from the relevant sports club or national governing body.

- Prepare the application: Provide the required personal, club, qualification, and financial information.

- Submit before the deadline: Ensure the completed application reaches the relevant authority before the stated closing date.

- Avoid retrospective claims: Do not rely on the bursary to reimburse costs that were incurred before an eligible application was approved.

Required Supporting Evidence A letter of support from the relevant club or national governing body is an important requirement. The supporting letter should help demonstrate the applicant’s involvement in the sport and their connection with the relevant club or governing organisation. Applicants should also be prepared to provide information about: - Their residency. - Their coaching or officiating role. - The sports club they work with. - The qualification or course they intend to complete. - The cost of the accredited course. - The relevant governing body or recog