Communities Minister Gordon Lyons visited sports clubs in Donaghadee to assess community athletics' contributions to health social inclusion and wellbeing. He met coaches players and volunteers at Donaghadee Rugby Football Club Seaside Sharkies Ards and Donaghadee Cricket Club and Donaghadee Football Club.

Lyons noted that such clubs encourage active connected lives among residents. He described them as central to communities aiding activity health confidence and friendships.

At Ards and Donaghadee Cricket Club which merged recently to secure the sport's local future Lyons discussed with officials at Northfield how funding aids member recruitment. The club fields senior teams and a junior section.

The club received over £4000 from the Department for Communities' Olympic Legacy Fund via Sport NI. Funds purchased a bowling machine with balls a mobile cricket cage and a ball-stopping net system.

Lyons observed the funding's impact stating that such investments help clubs expand facilities and enhance experiences for players and communities.

At Donaghadee Football Club Lyons addressed needs for modern facilities to support grassroots and youth involvement.

He ended by praising volunteers' commitment which enables sport's physical mental and social benefits across ages. Lyons affirmed support for their efforts via the Active Living Strategy.