The Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum are a voluntary body that provide a voice for local sport. They work closely with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and in particular the Sports Development Department to further aid the development of sport in the Borough. They do this through the delivery of the following key areas:
Affiliation to the ABC Sports Forum includes many benefits such as access to 4 Club Development Grants including – National Governing Body Quality Accreditation/Reaccreditation Grant; Volunteer Development Grant; Grant Aid for Coaches & Umpires/Referees; and a Representative Sporting Teams Grant.
Eligible individuals can also apply for a Talented Athlete Grant and a Leisure Access Card.
Affiliated members will also receive subsidised places on the Coach Education & Club Development Programme and receive regular Sports Development ezine which will include information on available grants, programmes and events including the annual Junior and Senior Sports Awards.
Members will also have the opportunity to be elected to represent their sport on the ABC Sports Forum at the Annual General Meeting. Clubs can also have their details published on the Council’s Sports Directory page on the website.
Affiliation for the 2024/25 is £30 for Clubs and £20 for Individuals. Members wishing to affiliate must be affiliated to the Sport NI, Sport Ireland or UK Sport recognised Governing Body. Clubs and Individuals must reside in the Borough. Clubs must submit a copy of their club constitution as part of their affiliation to the Sports Forum.
Affiliation Forms
The purpose of the sports grant aid scheme is to provide financial support to help athletes, coaches and sports clubs from the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area to attain their full potential. To be eligible, clubs or individuals are required to affiliate to the Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Sports Forum.
There are seven award schemes available:
Club Development Grants
Club Development Grants focus on increasing the quality of provision by local sports clubs and improving their operation. The elements are:
- National Governing Body (NGB) Quality Accreditation/Reaccreditation Grant and Advancement Grant
- Volunteer Development Grant
- Grant Aid for Coaches & Umpires/Referees
- Representative Sporting Teams
Individual Grants
In recognition of the commitment needed to participate at an elite level in sport, the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum have grants to assist amateur athletes who reside in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area with inherent costs in training, competing and accessing training facilities (Leisure Access Card). The two elements are:
- Talented Athlete Grant
- Leisure Access Card
Guidance Notes
Please ensure that you read the guidance notes below for both Club Development and Individual Grants Schemes.
Other Financial Assistance available:
Sports clubs are also eligible to apply under the following Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Grant Programmes:
- Civic Representation Grants (For Groups & Individuals who are not eligible under ABC Sports Forum grant types)
- Community Development Grants
- Capital Grants
- Events Grants
- Good Relations Grants
For further information, please visit:
https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/resident/community-grants/
Our Coach Education Programme provides opportunities for sports coaches, volunteers and administrators to further develop their knowledge and skills, relevant to these roles, in enjoyable and engaging environments.
The programme for 2024/25 takes a blended approach to delivery with a mixture of online and in-person workshops as well as practical workshops.
The programme offers a mixture of minimum operating standards that are required for good club governance, and club and coach development workshops to support coaches in the day-to-day running of their club sessions, ensuring sessions are inclusive and engaging for all.
To download a copy of the programme along with details of each course, please click HERE
BOOKING
Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, however priority will be given to coaches and clubs within the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area.
Only 3 spaces per club can be registered to ensure as many clubs as possible avail of the opportunity to take part. Should demand be high, a subsequent course will be organised.
All courses have a minimum number and therefore are subject to cancellation should they not be met.
Please note we require 48 hours notice of any cancellation. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in your club being charged at the full non-affiliated rate. Consideration will be given to participants under exceptional circumstances who cannot attend and inform us of these reasons.
Affiliated clubs of the Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum can avail of discounted courses as part of their affiliation. For details of this voucher code please contact Sports Development.
For more information relating to any of the workshops, please contact Amanda Mogey at
Course: Autism and Sports Coaching Course (Face-to-Face)
Content: The Autism and Sports Coaching Couse is a 3 hour course designed to give people a basic understanding of Autism and the potential challenges for inclusion in sport. Participants will learn through practical examples, way to include people with Autism in their sessions and look at potential strategies and support for keeping people with Autism engaged in sport and active recreation.
Course: Designated Safeguarding Officer (Online)
Content: This workshop aims to support those undertaking the role of Designated Safeguarding Children’s Officer in sports clubs including creating an awareness of key legislation and good practice, how to respond in a range of situations of concern and how to develop the standards of safeguarding within a club environment. Attendees must have attended ‘Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport’ prior to attending this workshop and must be over 18 years of age.
Course: Emergency First Aid for Sport (Face-to-Face)
Content: This 6 hour workshop will cover elements of First Aid applicable to anyone who is responsible for coaching/supervising a team or individuals. A 3 year certificate of competency will be issued following successful assessment. Attendance at both sessions is compulsory.
Course: Safeguarding Children & Young People in Sport (Online & In-Person options)
Content: This workshop aims to raise awareness of Child Protection issues in sport and introduces participants to the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport. This workshop is important for all adults involved in children’s sport, but is particularly recommended for Coaches, Leaders, Administrators and Officials.
The Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Sports Forum in association with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council host both the annual Junior and Senior Sports Awards. Both events bring together athletes, teams, coaches, clubs and volunteers, recognising and rewarding their achievements and celebrating commitment and excellence in service, participation and performance.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 ABC Senior Sports Awards 2025!
Headline Sponsored by Rider, Levett, Bucknall, the awards will take place on Friday 28 March 2025 at Craigavon Civic & Conference Centre. The evening will recognise elite sportspeople who have excelled in their chosen sport, and at the same time, acknowledge the outstanding contribution of coaches and volunteers who have helped build on the borough’s reputation for sporting excellence.
Award Categories include:
- Sports Person/Team with a Disability
- Sportswoman of the Year
- Sportsman of the Year
- Senior Team of the Year
- Senior Coach of the Year
- Service to Sport
- Volunteer Award
- Club of the Year.
To qualify, nominees should have competed at county/regional level or above for achievements between January and December 2024 and must be aged 18 years or above at the time of competition.
Online nominations will close at 5pm on Friday 10 January 2025.
Guidance notes: For more further details on the criteria and specific category information please read the guidance notes below before completing the nomination form.
Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Junior Sports Awards 2024 headlined sponsored by Manfreight Limited
2024 has been a sensational year in sport for young people across the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon borough! Individuals, teams, schools and clubs have enjoyed record-breaking runs and amassed an impressive collection of medals and top titles while representing Ulster, Ireland and Great Britain in a plethora of major competitions at European and world level.
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum welcomed 170 guests to a glittering awards ceremony at Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre on Friday 27 September 2024 to celebrate their sporting achievements at the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Junior Sports Awards.
Junior Sports Awards Winners 2024:
Young Volunteer Award, sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council: Cameron Shaw (Banbridge Amateur Boxing Club), Naoise Hughes (St Brenda’s Camogie Club, Ballymacnab), Ruadhri Coleman (St Paul’s Gaelic Football Club) and Sarah Black (Portadown Ladies Hockey Club).
Sports Person with a Disability Awards, sponsored by McKeever Sports: Kingston Bryars (who won silver with his Northern Ireland teammates at the European Powerchair Football Association Home Nations Cup) and James Corrie (who won 2 bronze medals at the Special Olympic Ireland Winter Games).
Junior School Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council: Banbridge Academy U14 Girls Hockey Team (in recognition of their strong performances this season, winning the June Smith All-Ireland Junior Schoolgirls Championship).
Junior Club Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Donaghy’s Shoefair Sports: Banbridge Rugby Football Club’s U14 Boys Team (Ulster Rugby’s Provincial Cup winners).
Junior Male of the Year Award, sponsored by Armagh Sports and Trophies: Adam Green from Lough Erne Yacht Club (Irish National Champion and 8th in the World Championships).
Junior Female of the Year Award, sponsored by Manfreight Limited: Cassie Henderson from Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club (National Cadet Champion and European Gold Medallist).
Youth School Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Total Hockey: Royal School Armagh 1st XI Girls Hockey Team (All-Ireland Kate Russell Schoolgirls Champions).
Youth Club Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Manfreight Limited: Portadown Ladies Hockey Club’s U15 Team (Ulster Hockey’s Northern Ireland League and Cup winners).
School Coach of the Year Award, sponsored by Sport Northern Ireland: Greg Thompson (Head Coach to the successful Armagh Royal 1st XI treble winning girls hockey team).
Club Coach of the Year Award, sponsored by Sport Northern Ireland: Martin Toland (Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club and the Irish High Performance Team guiding Cassie Henderson to European Gold).
Youth Female of the Year Award, sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council: Alana Burns-Atkin from Banbridge Amateur Swimming Club (Irish 100m and 200m Fly Junior and Open Champion and Youth Commonwealth Games Athlete).
Youth Male of the Year Award, sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council: Connor Magee from Banbridge Academy (who lined out for Ireland at the U18 Six Nations Tournament).
Rising Taekwondo star and double gold medallist at European Ranking events, Monika Ilieva received the Chairman’s Award.
Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Senior Sports Awards 2024
There was an overwhelming sense of pride at the ABC Senior Sports Awards on Wednesday 27 March when 150 guests gathered at Craigavon Civic Centre to honour the A-list of the local sporting community and celebrate their impressive achievements over the past year.
The awards celebrate the individuals, teams and clubs who have represented Northern Ireland, Ulster and Ireland at European and World competitions, as well as the coaches and volunteers who have helped them achieve sporting success at the highest level.
The wealth of sporting talent in the borough was once again front and centre on the night with some 49 shortlisted nominees vying for an award across 7 categories.
Winners
The coveted Sportswoman of the Year Award went to Team Great Britain Archer Kathryn Morton from Ballyvally Archers who won two gold medals and a bronze at the European U21 Championships.
World Championships double sculls bronze medallist Philip Doyle scooped the Sportsman of the Year Award. As a result, the boat has qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Scott Cromie from Craigavon Boccia Club who won a silver medal at the Irish Championships and finished in 4th place at the UK Boccia Championships won the Sports Person with a Disability Award.
Lurgan Coarse Angling Club Senior Team were winners of the Senior Team of the Year after their sterling display of consistency seen them crowned World Club Feeder Champions.
The Club of the Year Award went to hugely successful Clann Eireann who had a season of trophy success across multiple age groups in Gaelic Football, Netball and Handball.
Head coach of Banbridge Hockey Club Men’s 1st XI team, Scott McCandless won the Senior Coach of the Year Award. He was instrumental in helping the team dominate in Ireland and claim three pieces of silverware including the All-Ireland Hockey League title, the Champions Trophy and the Irish Senior Cup.
The Chairman’s Award went to St Mary’s GAC, Aghagallon who launched their ‘All Star’ inclusive GAA initiative providing a positive experience for those with additional needs – the first of its kind in the borough.
Volunteer Awards were presented to Alan Nelson (Waringstown Cricket Club), Martin Duffy (Banbridge Cycling Club), Danielle Marshall (Naomh Pol CLG), Mildred Hodgett (Banbridge Golf Club), Catherine Nelson (Sean Treacy’s Hurling Club), Ann Robinson (Banbridge & Rathfriland Karate Club), Paula Stewart (Lurgan Rugby Football & Cricket Club), and Amy Wethers (Craigavon Aztecs Volleyball Club).
Welcome to the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Directory of Sport. Here you will find a list of affiliated sports clubs to the Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum offering a range of sporting and physical activity opportunities across the area.
The Sport Development E-Zine contains all the latest information about sports development programmes, funding grants, coach education and club development workshops and any other information that may be of interest to sports clubs.
Please see below to access our previous Sports Development E-zines.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive our e-zine, please complete the form here
The Sports Bursary Scheme was introduced in November 2018 to facilitate the further development of aspiring athletes who have the ability and potential to bring credit to the Borough with success at Provincial level or higher.
Applications should be from athletes who have the potential to compete and achieve success at a very high level within their sport.
For more information please contact Sarah Aiken, Sports Development Assistant Manager at
The Sports Bursary Scheme is now closed
