The chief executive of Derry City Football Club is in Brussels on a “funding information” visit.
Sean Barrett, Derry CIty chief executive.
Sean Barrett is part of a delegation attending the event being hosted at the European Parliament by Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson.
As well as Mr Barrett, the 25 strong delegation is comprised of senior personnel from the three major sporting codes in the North including county board representatives from Ulster GAA, Ulster Rugby, Irish Football Association (IFA) and Colin McKendry from Coleraine FC.
During the visit the delegation will meet with senior officials from the European Commission including Yves le Lostecque – Head of the Sports Unit, DG EAC, Luciano di Fonzo: Implementation of Sports Programs and Deborah Mash, EU Sports Platform as well as Heidi-Beth Hudson from the OFMdFM Executive Office in Brussels.
They will also meet with the European Sports Network based in Brussels to discuss funding opportunities for sporting organisations in the next EU funding period: 2014 -2020.
Ms Anderson said she was “delighted” to be able to facilitate the delegation and “hopefully” assist the sporting bodies to gain access to resources that up until now they may not have been aware of.
She added: “Sport contributes to so many aspects of life in the community not least to a healthy lifestyle.”
“If I can help in identifying additional resources that will enable sporting bodies to reach more people and expand their programmes I will continue do all I can to facilitate them.”
Mr Anderson concluded: “I hope the visit to Brussels is a fruitful one.”
