Applications from sports clubs in County Galway and beyond are now invited under the third Texaco Support for Sport initiative in which a fund of €130,000 will be divided into amounts of €5,000 and distributed to selected applicants in each of the twenty-six counties.
Over the past two years, a gross of €260,000 has been shared between 52 sporting clubs across Ireland, of which €5,000 each went to two successful County Galway clubs: Tuam Rugby Football Club (2021) and District Tennis Club and Ballinasloe (2022).
Open to all sports clubs, regardless of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender (including clubs that may have previously unsuccessfully applied), the initiative is one that “recognizes and supports the valuable contribution what sports clubs do for communities and across Irish society.
Launching the 2023 programme, James Twohig, Ireland COO, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand, described the initiative as one that “opens up a funding stream for those clubs and communities that need it most.
Following similar lines to those that have proven successful over the last two years, clubs wishing to apply must first register their interest at www.TexacoSupportforSport.com, followed, before the closing date, by a complete application that must include details of their sporting activity, the importance of the club in its local community, the purpose for which funding is sought, and the use to which the funds will be put.
A single qualifying requirement is that clubs must be properly incorporated and provide confirmation of a valid sports and gaming exemption number (GS number) issued by the Revenue Commissioners Office.
The closing date for applications is January 31, 2023 and the award will take place thereafter. Leading the process once again is Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, broadcaster and former Irish rugby international Donncha O’Callaghan. The clubs that have received funding to date span the spectrum of Irish sporting activity: athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, camogie, climbing, cricket, diving, Gaelic football, golf, handball, hockey, hurling, rowing, rugby, soccer and tennis, among others. .