Sports clubs across Mayo invited to unlock new funding stream
Sports clubs across Mayo are being urged to sign up to a new initiative that aims to make fundraising easier by turning everyday online shopping into financial support for grassroots sport.
The call comes as renewed attention is focused on the vital role grassroots clubs play in Irish sport following Mayo’s All-Ireland football triumph.
Sports stars across the country such as four-time All-Ireland and All-Star winning Kilkenny hurler Eoin Murphy and Irish professional soccer player Pádraig Amond back the campaign.
The concept behind ClubhouseClothing.ie is simple: supporters buy premium, sustainable everyday apparel and select their club at checkout. We then donate 10% of every sale into the club's bank account.
This is with no cost to clubs, no fundraising events to organise and no changes to existing sponsorship or kit suppliers.
Co-founder of ClubhouseClothing.ie Alan Salter said the initiative has been inspired by a decade spent volunteering in local sports clubs and witnessing the growing challenge of raising funds.
“Grassroots clubs are the heartbeat of communities across Ireland, but they’re constantly under pressure to raise money. Volunteers are already giving up evenings and weekends to coach teams, maintain facilities and organise events, yet they’re always looking for the next fundraiser,” said Salter.
“I wanted to create something simple that keeps working in the background. Once a club registers with us, every supporter, parent or local resident can help generate income simply by choosing that club when they buy from our website. It’s another revenue stream that doesn’t ask volunteers to do more.
“Every county’s biggest sporting success starts in a local club. Behind every county player is a coach who volunteered their time, a committee that kept the lights on and a community that backed them from day one. Those clubs deserve more opportunities to generate sustainable income, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to create,” Salter added.
The initiative does not sell club merchandise or replace existing suppliers. Instead, customers purchase everyday leisurewear and simply nominate the sports club they want to support at checkout. 10% of the purchase value is then returned directly to that club.
Sports clubs of every size, including GAA, LGFA, camogie, soccer, rugby, basketball, athletics and other community organisations, are now being encouraged to register.
The goal is simple: to create a nationwide network of clubs that can benefit financially every time their supporters shop.
Clubs can register heretarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">. For more information, visit their Instagram page.
